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Chief Inspector of Probation highlights systemic public protection challenges in South Central region of Probation Service

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HM Inspectorate of Probation has undertaken an inspection of the adequacy of public protection measures [see notes to editor] across the South Central region of the Probation Service.

Martin Jones, Chief Inspector of Probation, said: “There were some positive developments in the South Central region, however these were overshadowed by systemic challenges, rapid policy changes and inconsistent assurance mechanisms. Despite some good work, delays in multi-agency information sharing continued to undermine the region’s ability to deliver high-quality public protection work.”

Context

  • This report is the second to be published from HM Inspectorate of Probation’s new Dynamic Inspection of Public Protection programme.
  • It focused specifically on public protection work being delivered across the South Central region of the Probation Service.
  • Fifty-six cases were inspected where the Inspectorate examined assessment, planning, implementation and delivery, and reviewing, all through the lens of public protection work.
  • At the time of the inspection (November 2025) the region was implementing several national policies aimed at managing workloads across the prison and probation estates, including prison early release schemes, Probation Reset, Impact and changes to recall policy.

Findings

  • The region’s ability to make progress in relation to its public protection work has been hampered by the reactive approach they have been required to employ because of prison capacity issues, and challenges in the recruitment and retention of staff. Despite their best efforts, these issues have almost debilitated the region in being able to progress.
  • In over half of the relevant cases, there was insufficient engagement with other agencies to manage risks related to domestic abuse. In almost two thirds of cases of the cases, practitioners did not work appropriately with children’s services where potential risks had been identified. In addition, home visits were not completed in more than half of the cases, despite these visits providing valuable insights for identifying and managing risk. 
  • Operational relationships with police and social care partners were improving, however rapid policy changes largely linked to prison capacity issues had hindered progress, with practitioners reporting they had to routinely prioritise imminent prison releases rather than having the capacity to consider and reflect on others in their caseloads.
  • Information sharing arrangements were in place and had strengthened the flow of risk-related intelligence and weekly arrest lists were provided by both police forces. Practitioners reported some difficulties in contacting arresting officers, causing delays in recall decisions.
  • Staffing in the region remained a critical challenge, especially at the probation officer grade with a vacancy rate of over 30 per cent against the target staffing numbers at the time of inspection.

Mr Jones added: “While we have made some recommendations to the region, national action is required to accelerate recruitment and reduce vetting delays and strengthen assurance processes. Given the importance of improving public protection, the Inspectorate will be undertaking follow up activity within each region to assist in improving outcomes.” [See notes to editor]

This report makes seven recommendations. Three of these are for the South Central region, including to ensure timely and consistent information exchange with all relevant multi-agency partners and address barriers to communication. Four recommendations are for HM Prisons and Probation Service, including to reduce vetting delays and address workforce instability by implementing streamlined and more responsive recruitment processes.

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.
  2. HM Inspectorate’s Dynamic Inspection of Public Protection is a new programme which started in October 2025. The Inspectorate has paused its core adult programme to undertake six months of dynamic inspection activity, focussed solely on the Service’s delivery of public protection. It will inspect all twelve regions and inspections, then deliver follow-up activity with strategic leaders and managers to identify what can be done to support and guide regional leaders into improving work, increasing knowledge and confidence and providing a solid foundation for further improvement. 
  3. South Central is one of 11 probation regions in England with a further region in Wales.
  4. The report is available on our website 12 February 2026.
  5. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth justice and probation services across England and Wales. We report on the effectiveness of probation and youth justice service work with adults and children. We highlight good and poor practice and use our data and information to encourage high-quality services. We are independent of government, and speak independently.
  6. The Inspectorate typically uses a four-point scale: ‘Outstanding’, ‘Good’, ‘Requires improvement’ and ‘Inadequate’ for inspections, however, has opted out of one-word ratings for this inspection programme.
  7. For media enquiries, please contact Louise Cordell, Head of Communications
    07523 805224 / media@hmiprobation.gov.uk (E-mail address)