HM Inspectorate of Probation

A picture of Martin Jones with a quote that says 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 to urgently complete the review of staffing, resourcing and recruitment procedures for APs.

Westbourne House Approved Premises has been rated ‘Good’ following an inspection published today. Inspectors praised public protection but were concerned over the allocation decisions made by the Central Referral Unit. buff.ly/zzdltfD

The role of the probation hostel in successful resettlement Bridging custody and community: The role of Approved Premises in successful reintegration

The role of the probation hostel in successful resettlement
@hmiprobation.bsky.social Research & Analysis Bulletin calls for more autonomy for AP managers amongst other recommendations
www.russellwebster.com/the-role-of-...

Inspection announcement: dynamic inspection of public protection - North West region. Fieldwork begins w/c 23 March 2026

Inspection announcement: youth justice work with children and victims in Rotherham - fieldwork starts w/c 23 March 2026.

WATCH: Our latest research video on Approved Premises and their role in successfully reintegrating residents from custody into the community. buff.ly/pbTQQVk

A picture of Martin Jones with a quote that says since the launch of our Approved Premises inspection programme in 2025 we have sought to shine a light on the important, often underappreciated, work taking place in APs, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement. Alongside our inspection work, we hope this evidence based RAB, which identifies barriers and enablers of success, will assist in improving the work that APs do to protect the public and reintegrate people back into the community

NEW: Read our latest Research and Analysis Bulletin which seeks to develop an understanding of the Approved Premises environment, alongside the barriers and enablers to the safe integration of their residents into local communities. buff.ly/73i19dT

New report: Dynamic Inspection of Public Protection in the West Midlands region of the Probation Service. Staffing levels were less acute than other areas, yet inspectors found significant shortfalls in practice to keep people safe. buff.ly/73T1T2s

A picture of Martin Jones, Chief Inspector of Probation with a quote that says Plas y Wern had a strong culture of collaboration and learning, and staff were committed to delivering a high-quality service. Residents told us they felt safe and spoke positively about the support they received.

Plas Y Wern Approved Premises was rated ‘Good’ following an inspection published today. The report noted robust public protection arrangements and found risk of harm managed well. Read the full report here: buff.ly/0pNZE0b

An inspection of Bridgewood Approved Premises in Northampton. Overall rating: 'Requires improvement'. A quote from HM Chief Inspector of Probation Martin Jones CBE, “While we found committed staff who were working hard to support residents in challenging circumstances, the service was too reliant on the efforts of individual staff rather than being supported by strong systems and processes.”

Bridgewood Approved Premises has been rated 'Requires improvement'. Inspectors were concerned over the staffing picture at Bridgewood and highlighted concerns over the workplace culture, training gaps and inconsistent supervision. buff.ly/2otszCM

Congratulations to Bridgend Youth Justice Service (YJS) on their rating of 'Outstanding' following an inspection of work with children and victims. This is the third YJS to receive an 'Outstanding' rating in our new programme buff.ly/XbphBEm

A picture of Martin Jones, Chief Inspector of Probation with a quote that reads we found many elements of strong practice at Gloucestershire YJS. Where successful outcomes for children were observed, practitioners had taken a relational approach, taking the time to understand children’s needs and backgrounds. Unfortunately, there were inconsistencies in practice which resulted in an overall rating of requires improvement

Gloucestershire YJS was today rated as ‘Requires improvement’ in our new report. Inspectors noted impressive detail in children's health assessments but found work with victims needed to be strengthened. Read the full report here buff.ly/BsQ8jSu

Inspection announcement: Quay House Approved Premises in Swansea. On site fieldwork starts this week.

Acquired Brain Injury: An invisible consequence of domestic abuse for women in the justice system. A quote from Dr Robin Moore, Head of Research and Data Analysis, "“There is an urgent need to embed brain injury awareness within gender-responsive, trauma-informed practices, accounting for the psychological and neurological effects of extensive trauma, and helping to ensure that women are not punished for the neurological consequences of violent acts against them.”

NEW ACADEMIC INSIGHT: This report highlights the prevalence of Acquired Brain Injury and links to domestic abuse in justice-involved women hmiprobation.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/document/acq...

A picture of chief inspector of probation Martin Jones with a quote that says: : “Inspectors found public protection to be a central focus of the region. However, the work to keep people safe was not sufficient in enough of the cases inspected during this inspection. Several factors contributed towards gaps in public protection practice, including capacity and workload pressures, an inexperienced workforce, ineffective management oversight, and inconsistent systems for accessing and exchanging information with child social services."

A quote card with text that says Context: The Greater Manchester region of the Probation Service covers eight Probation Delivery Units (PDUs), Bolton, Bury & Rochdale, Manchester North, Manchester South, Oldham, Salford & Trafford, Stockport & Tameside, and Wigan. Seventy-two cases were inspected where the Inspectorate examined assessment, planning, implementation and delivery, and reviewing, all through the lens of public protection work.

A quote card with text that says Findings: Less than half of the cases inspected met the required standard to keep people safe in assessment, implementation and delivery of services. Reviewing met the required standard in just over half of cases. The case findings were driven by insufficient analysis and reviewing of risk, inconsistent or ineffective multi-agency working, including information sharing, and a lack of meaningful delivery of interventions, either by probation practitioners or through other services, to address risks related to public protection

New report: Dynamic Inspection of Public Protection in the Greater Manchester region of the Probation Service. There were some positive developments, however work to keep the public safe were not sufficient in the cases inspected. buff.ly/IxqWcvd

A quote card that reads context: 64 cases were inspected where the Inspectorate examined assessment, planning, implementation and delivery, and reviewing, all through the lens of public protection work. During this inspection, the region was continuing to experience longstanding staffing challenges. Recruitment efforts since our last inspection in 2023 were leading to an improving picture, however significant gaps remained.

A quote card the reads findings: Inspectors found the quality of work to keep people safe to be “disappointing”. Fewer than a third of all cases met the threshold of sufficiency for keeping people safe in implementation and delivery, and under half of all cases in assessment and reviewing. Positive progress had also been made with court work, with the implementation of structures and systems such as the use of pre-sentence report gatekeeping demonstrating an improvement in quality and indicating benefits from peer-to-peer learning.

A Dynamic Inspection of Public Protection in the South West region was published today. Inspectors were disappointed with the quality of work to keep people safe but noted positive progress with court work. Read the full report here: buff.ly/oXXplGL

Dynamic Inspection of Public Protection in the South Central region Quote from HM Chief Inspector of Probation Martin Jones, “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: Fifty-six cases were inspected 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 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. 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.

New report: Dynamic Inspection of Public Protection in South Central region of the Probation Service. There were some positive developments, however prison capacity issues and staffing in the region remained a critical challenge. buff.ly/CjVSdR1

HMPPS respond to National Inspection recommendations  – HM Inspectorate of Probation Inspecting probation and
 youth justice services.

HMPPS have responded to the recommendations made by the Inspectorate in our 2025 National Inspection of the Probation Service. Read Chief Inspector of Probation, Martin Jones’ thoughts here: hmiprobation.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/hmpps-r...

Barking and Dagenham Youth Justice Service (YJS). Overall rating: 'Good'. A picture of His Majesty’s Chief of Inspector of Probation, with a quote that says, “The practitioners at Barking & Dagenham YJS were skilled and motivated and have worked hard to improve its work with children since our last inspection in 2018. The strong focus on education, training, and employment has resulted in a service that is aspirational for its children.”

Barking and Dagenham YJS has been rated as ‘Good’ following an inspection. Inspectors found the YJS to have a comprehensive understanding of the strengths, needs, and safety of the child. Victim work needs significant development. Read more: buff.ly/kvcFhcI

Inspection announcement: youth justice work with children and victims in Bedfordshire - fieldwork starts w/c 02 March 2026.

Card reads: Efficiency and resilience of the Probation Service This is followed by a quote ascribed to HM Chief Inspector of Probation, Martin Jones “I share the Committee's concern around the huge strain on probation and the critical need for urgent attention, at the most senior level, to ensure it has the staff, resources and focus it needs to protect the public and reduce reoffending.”

HM Chief Inspector of Probation, Martin Jones, has commented on the findings of the Public Accounts Committee report on the Probation Service. Read here: hmiprobation.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/the-pub...

Consultation on our thematic inspection and research programmes for 2026/2027 – HM Inspectorate of Probation Inspecting probation and
 youth justice services.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our consultation on our thematic inspection and research programmes for 2026/2027. Please see our response: buff.ly/uW4UuKW

Inspection announcement: Victoria House Approved Premises in Scunthorpe. On site fieldwork starts this week.

Inspection announcement: dynamic inspection of public protection, Yorkshire & The Humber. Fieldwork begins w/c 23 February 2026.

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