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“Solid foundations in place” at Stockton and Hartlepool Probation Delivery Unit, rated ‘Requires improvement’

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Stockton and Hartlepool 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: “We found some impressive practice and good leadership at Stockton and Hartlepool PDU, particularly relating to engagement and supporting people on probation in their desistance from offending. The PDU head is well-respected, and the partnership arrangements with other organisations are well-established. Despite this, work to keep people safe was a concern, resulting in the overall rating of ‘Requires improvement’.”

Inspectors raised concerns over the quality of work to protect the public, with information relating to domestic abuse and child safeguarding risks from the police and local authority often lacking sufficient detail to adequately analyse risk of harm. Practitioners were also not always engaging professional curiosity, with some over-reliance on self-reporting about relationship status when there were indicators suggesting the relationship was other than stated.

Staff at Stockton and Hartlepool reported generally manageable workloads which was enabling staff to be involved in some innovative practice, and practitioners reported feeling passionate and engaged with their roles and with the wider development of the PDU. Inspectors were pleased to see staff understood they were expected to deliver quality work, not just meet targets, and that a culture of learning and continuous improvement was promoted.

Mr Jones continued: “There are solid foundations in place at Stockton and Hartlepool PDU. With appropriate priority given to developing practice in identifying, analysing, and responding to risk of harm, improvements in the outcomes for people on probation and work to keep people safe should be achievable.”

The report makes five recommendations, including to develop practitioner confidence and skills in the use of professional curiosity, and to ensure there is effective management oversight to enhance and sustain the quality of the work with people on probation and to keep people safe.

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.
  2. The report is available at https://hmiprobation.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/ on 31 July 2025
  3. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth justice and probation services across England and Wales. 
  4. 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.
  5. Fieldwork for this inspection took place in June 2025
  6. For media enquiries, please contact Louise Cordell, Head of Communications 07523 805224 / media@hmiprobation.gov.uk