Probation service for Liverpool North is ‘Inadequate’
The probation service, or Probation Delivery Unit (PDU*), in Liverpool North has been rated as ‘Inadequate’ following an inspection by HM Inspectorate of Probation.
This inspection was one of two carried out in the Merseyside area recently. Knowsley and St Helens PDU has also received a rating of ‘Inadequate’ (published on 29 June 2023). We have now completed four inspections in the Probation Service – North West. The others are Cheshire West PDU and Blackburn with Darwen PDU (both rated ‘Requires improvement’).
Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said: “I know the team at Liverpool North PDU will be disappointed with the rating of ‘Inadequate’, given the efforts they’ve made to support staff during challenging times. However, we cannot overlook the gaps in how the service is currently running, not least having limited access to vital information from the police about the potential domestic abuse risk posed by people on probation in the city. We hope our recommendations bring about the improvements that the service is capable of achieving.”
Liverpool North PDU was particularly affected by the unification of the probation service in 2021 and were only able to complete the merging of services across the area in May 2022, due to delays in appointing a new head of service. This brought together staff with mixed experience of supervising people on probation considered to be a high risk of causing harm. The service prioritised supporting staff through this process, and inspectors praised the positive culture at the service.
However, the Liverpool North PDU has high workloads and a significant number of vacancies – a common finding across services in England and Wales. The result has been poor quality work in terms of keeping people safe and we were concerned about the service’s ability to protect actual and potential victims of crime.
Mr Russell continued: “The lack of information to keep people safe available to Liverpool North PDU is worrying. At the time of our inspection, probation services in the Merseyside area were waiting for 1,350 domestic abuse enquiries to be returned by the police – there must be urgent action to improve this situation. Without proper information, probation services cannot effectively manage the risk people on probation may pose.”
Liverpool North PDU, the North West regional service and HMPPS received nine recommendations based on our findings. This includes a recommendation to managers to ensure they have the capacity to provide full oversight – at the time of our inspection, unmanageable caseloads meant some managers were having to support overwhelmed staff by providing substantial direction on cases for some practitioners.
ENDS
Notes to editor
- *Probation Delivery Units (PDUs) replaced Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) and the National Probation Service (NPS), which merged into a unified Probation Service in June 2021.
- This probation service sits within the Probation Service – North West region.
- This report is available at justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprobation on 29 June 2023 00.01.
- HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth offending and probation services across England and Wales.
- The Inspectorate uses a four-point scale: ‘Outstanding’, ‘Good’, ‘Requires improvement’ and ‘Inadequate’. The Inspectorate rates specific aspects of each service and also gives an overall rating.
- Fieldwork for this inspection took place in April 2023
- For media enquiries, please contact media@hmiprobation.gov.uk (E-mail address)