HM Inspectorate of Probation has published new research examining how well caseloads and workloads in probation have been managed in recent years, and the impact that large caseloads can have on the quality of supervision.

The Research & Analysis Bulletin ‘Caseloads, workloads and staffing levels in probation services’ demonstrates how the quality of probation delivery falls when practitioners are responsible for managing more than 50 cases. Notably, there was a consensus among staff and senior managers that between 50 and 60 cases is the maximum number that can be managed well.

Less than half (46 per cent) of almost 2,000 probation practitioners interviewed by HM Inspectorate of Probation in recent inspections felt their workloads were manageable, and the toll upon staff in terms of stress, anxiety and sickness was evident.

Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said: “I have previously expressed concern about workloads and staffing levels on the quality of probation delivery and the welfare of staff.

“Positive, respectful and trusting relationships between individual practitioners and service users are essential if probation supervision is to be effective and reoffending rates reduced. That is clearly very difficult when even experienced staff have to deal with 60 or even 80 cases. As stated by one of the participants in our research, it is simply too many life stories to try to absorb.”

Mr Russell concluded: “Probation services are moving to a new delivery model in June. We will pay close attention to plans to recruit more staff and introduce more balanced caseloads. This is a critical opportunity to reduce workload pressures and raise the quality of supervision and support”.