Skip to content

All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated.

To view this licence, visit:
https://nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3

or write to:
Information Policy Team,
The National Archives,
Kew,
London TW9 4DU

or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

This publication is available at:
https://hmiprobation.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk.

© Crown copyright

Westbourne House Approved Premises in London rated ‘Good’ following inspection 

Published:

Westbourne House Approved Premises (AP) in Forest Gate, London has received an overall rating of ‘Good’ following an inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation.  

Chief Inspector of Probation, Martin Jones, said: “While staff were committed and leadership had worked hard to create a positive and supportive culture, Westbourne House faces significant pressures. Difficulties in staffing and recruitment are placing immense pressure on the team, and I once again call on His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to urgently complete the review of staffing, resourcing and recruitment procedures for APs.” 

Rehabilitative support was available to residents through a range of external organisations, and residents spoke positively about their keywork sessions with staff. Public protection was effective, with routine information sharing with the police to support wider community safety. 

Inspectors were concerned over the allocation decisions made by the Central Referral Unit (CRU) which, in line with national AP protocols, makes allocation decisions with limited involvement of local management. The manager of Westbourne House noted a 10 per cent overbooking rate which created operational pressure and last-minute placement changes that the AP had to resolve.  

Mr Jones continued, “Despite the challenges, the commitment of the staff and outstanding quality of the leadership provides a strong foundation for improvement.” 

The Inspectorate’s report makes eight recommendations. Four are for Westbourne House leadership team, including to strengthen medication storage and auditing arrangements to ensure full compliance with policy and safe handling. Four recommendations are for HMPPS, including to address persistent staffing shortages by improving recruitment and vetting processes and ensuring sufficient staffing for a 41-bed AP. 

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. 
  1. 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. 
  1. The report is available on the HM Inspectorate of Probation website on 11 March 2026 at 00.01. 
  1. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth justice and probation services across England and Wales.  
  1. For media enquiries, please contact Head of Communications: media@hmiprobation.gov.uk