A probation unit in Greater Manchester has only half the number of officers they need, as concerns were raised about its ability to keep people safe from harm.
Three services in the region have recently been inspected by HM Inspectorate of Probation, with inspectors concluding that all three units 'require improvement.'
They cited a substantial lack of resources, domestic abuse risks not being properly managed, and unmanageable staff workloads as the primary concerns, when inspecting the probation units in North Manchester, Tameside and Wigan.
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Following a report on the Probation Delivery Unit (PDU) in Tameside, Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said the service is 'substantially under-resourced.'
"While leadership at Tameside PDU is strong and supportive, and staff are dedicated, this probation service is substantially under-resourced – with only half of the probation officers they need," he said.
"Half of the team members we spoke told us their workloads are unmanageable. Understandably, this is having an impact on their ability to properly manage people on probation, specifically around issues such as risk of harm, which is vital for the protection of the local community and beyond."
Following a visit to a PDU in Manchester North, inspectors said they wanted to see issues such as domestic abuse being properly managed, and that follow-up work to manage risk was not always being completed to the expected standard.
In Wigan, inspectors found that management of the potential risks of harm people released from custody may pose need to improve significantly, particularly in relation to domestic abuse enquiries with the police, which was not done in two-thirds of cases.
Manchester North
In a report published on Thursday (25 May), the Probation Delivery Unit in Manchester North was rated as 'Requires Improvement.'
Manchester North PDU received nine recommendations following this inspection. This included the recommendation that appropriate activity is always undertaken following domestic abuse or safeguarding enquiries to ensure that risks are followed up and managed appropriately.
Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said: "Although Manchester North probation service faces significant challenges which mirror those we have seen across the country of late – we see reasons to be hopeful thanks to strong leadership at the service.
"They have the foundations in place to build for the future and I am optimistic that their rating of ‘Requires improvement’ will spark positive change."
Inspectors wanted to see issues such as domestic abuse properly managed. Whilst they did find that more domestic abuse enquiries with the police were being made in other areas, follow-up work to manage this risk was not always being completed to the expected standard.
Mr Russell added: "Domestic abuse accounts for a high level of crime in the Greater Manchester area, and it’s reassuring that Manchester North is carrying out these vital – and sometimes life-saving – checks on people on probation.
"However, they need to take the next step, and use all their skills and professional curiosity to follow up and manage each case thoroughly."
Inspectors found that Manchester North PDU has access to an 'impressive range of services' aimed at deterring individuals from reoffending.
They also found that the service had responded to concerns that the views of people on probation were not being heard and that work had begun to resolve this issue, making engagement a key priority, particularly with Black, Asian and minority ethnic people on probation.
Tameside
In a report published on Thursday (25 May), the Probation Delivery Unit in Tameside was also rated as 'Requires Improvement.'
Tameside PDU received eight recommendations following this inspection, including the need to better manage risk of harm. Two additional recommendations were made to HM Prisons and Probation Service to ensure PDU regions are sufficiently resourced with the right staff to protect the public.
Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said: "While leadership at Tameside PDU is strong and supportive, and staff are dedicated, this probation service is substantially under-resourced – with only half of the probation officers they need.
"Half of the team members we spoke to told us their workloads are unmanageable. Understandably, this is having an impact on their ability to properly manage people on probation, specifically around issues such as risk of harm, which is vital for the protection of the local community and beyond."
Inspectors found that the probation service at Tameside are a 'skilled and capable team' but without more staff, they 'cannot realise their potential.' The inspectorate called for the Greater Manchester region and HMPPS national workforce team to address this issue urgently.
Mr Russell added: "At the moment, all the good work that the leaders of Tameside PDU are doing is not filtering down to their work with people on probation. This will take time, but I am concerned with our findings around keeping people safe from potential harm – particularly children who may be at risk of domestic abuse – and the service must find a way to make this a priority."
Inspectors did find the service had access to local innovative projects, supported through the unique arrangements with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, to provide accommodation for people on probation, especially those with complex needs, and prevent them from becoming homeless.
Wigan
In a report published on Thursday (25 May), the Probation Delivery Unit in Wigan was also rated as 'Requires Improvement.'
Wigan PDU received seven recommendations following this inspection, including to improve understanding of the discrimination and inequalities faced by black, Asian and minority ethnic staff and people on probation, to make sure that there is equal access to services for people on probation.
Two additional recommendations were made to HM Prisons and Probation Service to ensure PDUs in the Greater Manchester region are sufficiently resourced with the right staff to protect the public.
Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said: "Wigan are a well-managed probation team who are dedicated to protecting the public. However, they need more probation officers and some of their current staff are relatively inexperienced. Time, and investment from HMPPS should help them realise their ambitions."
The inspection found that Wigan PDU is taking a lead in tackling homelessness in the area by their management of people leaving custody. It has strong links with Greater Manchester Combined Authority, via the reducing reoffending partnership, and has two specialist accommodation workers to find suitable housing for those in need.
They also found that arrangements with the youth offending service (YOS) to help children transition to probation, and the development of staff skilled in understanding childhood trauma, were very positive and an example of innovative practice.
However, they found that management of the potential risks of harm people released from custody may pose needs to improve significantly, particularly in relation to domestic abuse enquiries with the police, which was not done in two-thirds of the cases they inspected.
Mr Russell continued: "There is no doubt that homelessness, or lack of proper accommodation, for people leaving prison can lead to further offending and this puts the public at risk of being victims of crime.
"Wigan PDU are working hard to tackle this, but more work is needed in other areas. The risk of harm a person may pose is paramount, so responding to enquiries with children’s services and domestic abuse checks with police must be the rule and not the exception."
In a statement provided to the BBC, a Ministry of Justice (MOJ) spokesperson said: "We are pleased inspectors recognised the strong leadership behind the teams and we have taken immediate action to address the issues raised by inspectors."
The MOJ said it had invested an extra 155m a year into the Probation Service and was recruiting record numbers of staff "to deliver tougher supervision and keep the public safe".
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