INSPECTORS have branded probation services in north Essex inadequate following an inspection which found potential victims of domestic abuse are being let down.

A report compiled following an inspection of the Essex North Probation Delivery Unit delivered the lowest possible rating in eight out of nine areas.

Among concerns raised by inspectors were fears safeguarding checks with councils and domestic abuse checks with the police were being missed.

Justin Russell, chief inspector at Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation, found high staff vacancy rates are leading to high workloads for the staff who remain.

He said: “This has inevitably fed through into the quality of work we inspected.

“Only a quarter of the cases we inspected were sufficient in relation to the quality of work needed to keep the public safe and less than half were up to the mark in relation to work to prevent reoffending.”

Commenting on the lack of safeguarding checks, Mr Russell said: “Where they were taking place, they were often not being followed up if information was not returned.

“Where this information was returned, there was limited analysis of what it meant for assessment of risk levels and management of the case.”

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The report, published online, followed an inspection of 65 cases where sentences and licences have begun between August and September last year.

More than 50 interviews were conducted with probation practitioners.

The inspectors said data provided by the service showed 53 of 62 individuals convicted of a sexual offence are still waiting to begin their assigned rehabilitation programme.

Mr Russell said: “The service must improve in order to help those they supervise change their lives for the better and to protect the local community.

“We know leaders and staff at Essex north will be disappointed by this rating, but they have shown understanding and a drive to develop since our inspection.

“They need urgent support to enable them to make the significant improvements that are needed.”

Inspectors noted the challenges posed by Covid-19 and the transition to a new “unified” probation service.

They were concerned some issues, such as staff vacancies, pre-dated these events and have not been resolved.

However, the attitudes of staff at the service and their motivation to improve was praised.