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“Exceptional” Elizabeth Fry Approved Premises, rated ‘Outstanding’ in all areas

Published:

Elizabeth Fry Approved Premises (AP) in Reading has received an overall rating of ‘Outstanding’ following an inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation. Elizabeth Fry AP is a women-only, independent AP. [See notes to editor]

This AP received a score of 15/15 through our inspection standards. This is the highest mark awarded to an Approved Premises since the programme launched in September 2025.

Chief Inspector of Probation, Martin Jones, said: “Elizabeth Fry AP is a truly exceptional service which delivers high-quality support to women in the criminal justice system. Residents are supported by staff who understand their needs and prepare them well for life in the community.”

Inspectors were impressed with the quality of relationships between staff and residents and praised staff for their strong understanding of working with women in the criminal justice system, which was supported by training in areas such as trauma-informed practice, domestic abuse and self-harm.

The AP worked in close partnership with a broad range of local agencies, including voluntary and community organisations to support residents’ rehabilitation. These links provided residents with support in areas such as housing, employment, and social reintegration to help residents build skills and prepare for life in the community.

Mr Jones continued, “We have rated Elizabeth Fry AP ‘Outstanding’ across all our standards, meaning they scored the maximum score possible under our framework. This is a significant achievement, and the first time such a rating has been awarded since we launched our approved premises inspection programme last year. I commend the leadership team and staff for their dedication and the high standards they have achieved.”

The Inspectorate’s report makes four recommendations. One recommendation is for the Elizabeth Fry leadership team to strengthen the induction arrangements to ensure the diversity needs of residents are fully explored at the earliest stage. Three recommendations are for HM Prison and Probation service, including to publish the findings of the national AP activity and resourcing review, and set out the staffing levels required to operate APs safely and effectively, ensuring these are implemented in practice.

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. Elizabeth Fry is a women-only independent AP, which means it is independently run by a third-sector provider under contract and in partnership with HM Prison and Probation Service.
  3. At the time of our inspection in June 2026, Elizabeth Fry had 17 residents in placement.
  4. 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.
  5. The report is available on the HM Inspectorate of Probation website on 22 July 2026 at 00.01.
  6. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth justice and probation services across England and Wales.
  7. For media enquiries, please contact Head of Communications: media@hmiprobation.gov.uk