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Redcar, Cleveland and Middlesbrough Probation Delivery Unit – Requires improvement 

Published:

Redcar, Cleveland and Middlesbrough Probation Delivery Unit (PDU) has received an overall rating of ‘Requires improvement’ following an inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation.

Martin Jones, Chief Inspector of Probation, said: “The unwavering positivity and commitment shown by staff at Redcar, Cleveland and Middlesbrough PDU was commendable, and I was impressed by the passionate head of service who had done much to instil a resilient culture. Unfortunately, casework was disappointing which has resulted in the overall ‘Requires improvement’ rating.”  

The inspection found “rejuvenated” strategic partnerships with police and social care, with inspectors finding more cases where practitioners were accessing information for partnership agencies during this inspection compared to our last inspection in 2022 [see notes to editor].  

However, practitioners were not always using this information to identify potential victims and assess the risks posed to them which was hampering their ability to assess risks and safeguard the public. In addition, two thirds of cases inspected did not have effective management oversight – with oversight being absent on high risk and complex cases, and risk assessments being countersigned when clear errors and omissions were present.   

Leadership was found to be a key strength at the PDU, where there was a culture of support and a focus on engagement with staff and people on probation. However, the PDU was not fully resourced at all levels and the majority of staff spoken to during this inspection reported their workloads as being unmanageable. 

Mr Jones continued: “The changes already brought in by the leadership at Redcar, Cleveland and Middlesbrough PDU are a strong step in the right direction. This PDU is capable of addressing many of the issues identified in this inspection and we wish it well in doing so.” 

The report makes three recommendations, including to make arrangements with police and social care to enable swift access to intelligence about domestic abuse perpetrated by people on probation, and to carry out an analysis of people on probation and develop a strategy for addressing their complex and diverse needs. 

ENDS 

 
Notes to editor 

  1. 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.  
  1. The report is available at https://hmiprobation.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/ on 21 August 2025 
  1. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth justice and probation services across England and Wales.   
  1. 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.  
  1. Fieldwork for this inspection took place in June 2025. 
  1. Redcar, Cleveland and Middlesbrough PDU was last inspected in 2022, where it was given a rating of ‘Requires improvement’. 
  1. For media enquiries, please contact Louise Cordell, Head of Communications 07523 805224 / media@hmiprobation.gov.uk