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“Committed and capable team” found at Pennywell House Approved Premises in Sunderland – rated ‘Good’ following inspection”

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Pennywell House Approved Premises (AP) in Sunderland has received an overall rating of ‘Good’ following an inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation.

Chief Inspector of Probation, Martin Jones, said: “At Pennywell House we found a committed and capable staff team delivering a good service in challenging circumstances. Residents were treated with dignity and respect, and their relationships with staff were positive and purposeful.”

Staffing was a clear strength at Pennywell House and public protection arrangements were effective, with staff sharing information appropriately and maintaining a good oversight of risk. Multi-agency working was also well established, which helped residents access a wide range of provision to address substance misuse, mental health, and resettlement needs.

However, inspectors found the physical environment at Pennywell House presented ongoing challenges. Limited space affected the quality of the environment for residents and staff and required sustained attention.

The report also highlights the impact of community tensions on some residents’ sense of safety and wellbeing, in particular damage to the building caused during an incident in February 2026. This remained unrepaired at the time of the inspection (March 2026), and Inspectors considered it unacceptable that such visible damage had been left unaddressed for a prolonged period, particularly given the safety implications and the message that this conveyed to residents, staff, and the local community.

Mr Jones added: “This matter was urgently referred to His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) by the Inspectorate, and we have been reassured that remedial action has been taken. However, further work must be done to demonstrate effective management, prioritisation of safety, and commitment to maintaining a professional and appropriate environment. These complex matters were not within control of the AP but need continued oversight and collaborative engagement with partners. It is important to stress that the good work taking place in this AP was helping to keep the community and the wider public safe.”

The Inspectorate’s report makes nine recommendations. Six are for the Pennywell House leadership team, including to embed consistent supervision arrangements and management oversight, improve staff and residents’ experience of safety and wellbeing, and to increase the range and meaningfulness of rehabilitative activities.

Three recommendations are for HM Prison and Probation Service, including to take urgent action to address facilities and security issues at the AP, and to support improved partnership working, including clearer and more consistent engagement arrangements with the police.

ENDS 

Notes to editor 

  1. Approved Premises (APs) are residential units which provide temporary placements in the community for high-risk and complex people on probation. They offer enhanced supervision and rehabilitative support to individuals following release from prison.
  2. Pennywell House AP in Sunderland had a maximum occupancy of 17 males, aged 18 and over. At the time of our fieldwork in March 2026 there were 11 residents in placement.
  3. The Inspectorate uses a four-point scale: ‘Outstanding’, ‘Good’, ‘Requires improvement’ and ‘Inadequate’, rating specific aspects of each service (for APs – leadership, staffing, safety, public protection, and rehabilitation) and giving an overall rating.
  4. The report is available on the HM Inspectorate of Probation website on 11 May 2026 at 00.01.
  5. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth justice and probation services across England and Wales.
  6. For media enquiries, please contact Head of Communications: media@hmiprobation.gov.uk