“Strong focus on innovation” across Probation Service in Wales, despite rating of ‘Requires improvement’, inspection finds 

Martin Jones, Chief Inspector of Probation, said: “We found much that was positive about the Probation Service in Wales. Leaders were strong both at a local and regional level and had a positive focus on innovation to drive service delivery. Nevertheless, as we have found in every region visited under our current inspection model, keeping people safe was a weakness. Positively, leaders were not oblivious to this and had done much to try and improve frontline delivery, but as yet with only limited effect.” 

More work needed to be done to ensure the right information was being received from partners and that practitioners were then using this information to plan sufficiently and effectively manage risk. Communication by practitioners with partner agencies needed to improve to ensure the right services were consistently available for people on probation to address desistance and prevent reoffending.  

The report praises the adoption of a human factors model [see notes to editor] across the region which was supporting the engagement of staff and teams and helping them focus more closely on their practice.  

Mr Jones continued, “While the initiatives and innovation underway in Wales are positive, it is important to ensure they address the key issues around keeping people safe.” 

This report makes six recommendations to the region including to improve arrangements for information exchange with both the police and children’s services and to improve practitioners’ information-sharing and liaison with partner agencies to support the effective delivery of rehabilitative services and work to keep people safe. 

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 Human Factors model has an emphasis on creating a supportive learning culture within the service to improve both engagement and individual autonomy. In Wales, this has resulted in a new operational structure based on daily morning check-in meetings and a daily open hour when senior probation officers are available. You can read more about the human factors model in our Effective Practice guide – Developing operational structures and the Senior Probation Officer role. 

3. The Wales region is one of 11 probation regions operated by HMPPS. 

4. For this report, the Inspectorate conducted fieldwork in each PDU in Wales between 28 July 2025 and 26 September 2025. We reviewed 338 cases, of which 224 were subject to a community sentence and 114 were subject to release on licence. 

5. The report is available on our website 21 January 2026. 

6. 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. 

7. The Inspectorate uses a four-point scale: ‘Outstanding’, ‘Good’, ‘Requires improvement’ and ‘Inadequate’. The Inspectorate rates specific aspects of each service and gives an overall rating. 

8. For media enquiries, please contact Louise Cordell, Head of Communications 
   07523 805224 / media@hmiprobation.gov.uk (E-mail address)