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“Urgent and sustained attention” needed at Cardiff and the Vale Probation Delivery Unit, rated ‘Inadequate’ 

Published:

Cardiff and the Vale Probation Delivery Unit (PDU) has received an overall rating of ‘Inadequate’ following an inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation.  

Martin Jones, Chief Inspector of Probation, said: “While the PDU had clear strategic aims to keep people safe and empower staff to deliver effective services, the implementation of its strategy was not effectively supporting these goals. Casework in all four of our service delivery standards was insufficient, resulting in the overall rating of ‘Inadequate’.” 

Inspectors found the quality of work to keep people safe required urgent attention, and efforts to improve the timeliness and quality of key information from partner agencies had not gone far or fast enough, particularly in relation to child safeguarding.  

These findings are in line with the Inspectorate’s wider inspection programme and, given these consistent deficiencies in public protection work, from October 2025 HM Inspectorate of Probation is undertaking a new, six-month Dynamic Inspection of Public Protection of all twelve regions [see notes to editor]. 

On paper, staffing levels appeared favourable, however elevated sickness levels, staff turnover, and a relatively new and inexperienced staff group meant the workforce was fragile and under strain. 

Despite this, leaders had a thorough understanding of the people under supervision, and some initiatives such as the co-location of probation staff with partner agencies showed their willingness to try new ideas to meet the needs of people on probation.  

Mr Jones continued: “While there were some foundations to build on, this inspection has highlighted challenges facing Cardiff and the Vale PDU that require urgent and sustained attention.” 

The report makes seven recommendations, including to ensure domestic abuse and safeguarding information is completed and analysed sufficiently, and to improve the use of interventions and services available for people on probation to support desistance. 

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.  
  1. The report is available at https://hmiprobation.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/ on 04 December 2025 
  1. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth justice and probation services across England and Wales.   
  1. 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.  
  1. Fieldwork for this inspection took place in September 2025 
  1. HM Inspectorate’s Dynamic Inspection of Public Protection is a new programme, starting in October 2025. The Inspectorate will be pausing its core adult programme to undertake six months of dynamic inspection activity, focusing 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.   
  1. For media enquiries, please contact Louise Cordell, Head of Communications 07523 805224 / media@hmiprobation.gov.uk