Community Performance Annual, update to March 2025
Published 31 July 2025
Applies to England and Wales
© Crown copyright 2025
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/community-performance-annual-update-to-march-2025/community-performance-annual-update-to-march-2025
1. Main Points
This publication sets out statistics on Probation Performance from April 2024 to March 2025.
| 2 of 12 regions were rated ‘good’ | The Probation Scorecard, which gives an overall rating of the performance of the Probation Service both nationally and within regions, shows that only 2 of 12 regions are operating at a ‘good’ level, all other regions are rated as either ‘requiring improvement’ or ‘inadequate’. |
| 7 of 27 probation service levels met target or were better for 2024 to 2025. This compares to 9 out of 26 for 2023 to 2024 | On a national level, performance of 7 of 27 probation service levels met target or were better for 2024 to 2025. Across the 2024 to 2025 year, targets have increased in comparison to targets in the 2023 to 2024 year. Of the service levels measured for at least 6 months of both 2024 to 2025 and 2023 to 2024; 11 of 17 improved in performance. |
| Commissioned Rehabilitative Services performance has improved compared to the previous performance year | Of the service levels measured within the Commissioned Rehabilitative Services, on a national level, 2 of 3 service levels performed above target for 2024 to 2025. 2 of 3 service levels improved in performance between the year ending March 2024 and March 2025. |
2. Introduction
The Probation Performance Framework
The Probation Service is responsible for managing all those on a community sentence or licence following their release from prison in England and Wales. There are 11 probation regions across England and 1 for Wales.
The Probation Service Performance Framework supports delivery of the Target Operating Model by the probation service.
Some rehabilitative services such as personal wellbeing and accommodation are delivered under contract by Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) and specialist organisations. The management of these Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) contracts is also supported by a performance framework.
Operational Context
In 2024/25 the Probation Service was under consistent pressure. To manage this, in April 2024, the Probation Service introduced a change in practice known as Probation Reset. Under Probation Reset, probation practitioner engagement is prioritised towards the first two-thirds of an individual’s sentence where intervention can have the most impact. For eligible offenders[footnote 1], this suspends some sentence management contact for those on licence, post-sentence supervision, and those with rehabilitation activity requirements under community orders or suspended sentence orders. Although the reset will suspend some contact for eligible offenders, their orders and licences will remain active.
Both the pressure on probation, and the measures to address it, will vary by region but are likely to impact the performance measures presented.
Supplementary Publications
Previous publications can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/prisons-and-probation-statistics##performance
Related statistics on reoffending are published by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/reoffending-statistics
More detailed statistics on accommodation and employment are published by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) here:
Accommodation: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/offender-accommodation-outcome-statistics
Employment: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/offender-employment-outcome-statistics
3. Probation Scorecard
The Probation Scorecard was developed alongside the Probation Performance Framework. It pulls out the core measures (quality audits and management information from data recorded by regions) to show a more complete picture of performance in the probation system.
The Probation Scorecard is owned by the Probation Performance Committee in HMPPS. This committee oversees governance of the Probation Performance Framework, and consists of HMPPS Senior Level Management, including the Directors General and the Chief Probation Officer. All measures, weightings and targets for the Probation Scorecard are agreed by the Probation Performance Committee and reviewed annually.
Performance ratings and overall scoring for the Probation Scorecard are derived from the measures included within the scorecard, which are weighted individually. For more information on the weightings, please refer to the technical notes. The Probation Scorecard Rating is assigned using the total score the region achieved as a percentage of the maximum possible score achievable. The table below shows the ratings and the thresholds for those ratings:
| Probation Scorecard Rating | Probation Scorecard Thresholds |
|---|---|
| 4 - Outstanding | Greater than or equal to 86.6% |
| 3 - Good | Less than 86.6% and greater than or equal to 73.3% |
| 2 - Improvement Required | Less than 73.3% and greater than or equal to 60.0% |
| 1 - Inadequate | Less than 60.0% |
Following the production of the data-driven performance ratings, a moderation process takes place. Probation regions can submit a moderation proposal to challenge the data-driven performance rating. Where a justifiable improvement or decline in performance would move a region to the next rating, evidence is considered by the moderation panel as to whether the rating should change. The analysis in this publication reflects the data-driven breakdowns at measure level along with the final moderated overall region rating.
The following table shows the overall rating for each region. For the performance year 2024 to 2025, no region received a score of 4 (Outstanding); however 2 of the 12 regions (Greater Manchester and Wales) did receive a score of 3 (Good).
Table 1: Probation Service Scorecard Ratings for all regions, for the performance year April 2024 to March 2025, England and Wales.
(Source: Probation Service Performance Data Tables; Scorecard)
| Region | Overall Score | Score Description |
|---|---|---|
| East Midlands | 2 | Improvement Required |
| East of England | 2 | Improvement Required |
| Greater Manchester | 3 | Good |
| Kent, Surrey & Sussex | 1 | Inadequate |
| London | 1 | Inadequate |
| North East | 1 | Inadequate |
| North West | 2 | Improvement Required |
| South Central[footnote 2] | 2 | Improvement Required |
| South West | 2 | Improvement Required |
| Wales | 3 | Good |
| West Midlands | 1 | Inadequate |
| Yorkshire & the Humber | 2 | Improvement Required |
| England and Wales | 2 | Improvement Required |
Figure 1: Probation Service Scorecard Ratings for all regions, for the performance year April 2024 to March 2025, England and Wales.
(Source: Probation Service Performance Data Tables; Scorecard)
4. Probation Service Delivery of Service Level Metrics
Of the 17 probation service levels that were measured for at least 6 months of both 2024 to 2025 and 2023 to 2024, 11 improved, and 6 service levels declined in performance. The largest increase was for SL023 - Pre-release sentence plans for enhanced cases, which increased by 9.7pp. The largest decrease, SL013 - Requirements completed by sentence expiry, decreased by 2.4pp.
In the year ending March 2025, 7 probation service levels met or exceeded the expected target and 20 did not meet target[footnote 3].
Table 2: Probation Service Performance of all available service levels for the year April 2024 to March 2025, England and Wales[footnote 4] [footnote 5] [footnote 6]
(Source: Probation Service Performance Data Tables; Annual)
| Performance Measure | Period Covered | Performance (%) | Target (%) | Percentage point change from previous performance year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL001 - Judicial engagement | Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 | 69.8 | 70.0 | -1.4pp |
| SL004 - Initial appointment for community sentences | Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 | 93.8 | 95.0 | 1.2pp |
| SL005 - Initial appointment for releases from custody | Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 | 95.5 | 95.0 | 0.1pp |
| SL006 - Initial sentence plan for community sentences and releases | Apr 2024 | 83.6 | 95.0 | [x] |
| SL006R - Initial sentence plan for community sentences and releases for supervised cases | May 2024 to Mar 2025 | 86.7 | 95.0 | [x] |
| SL007R - Monthly appointments offered | Apr 2024 | 87.4 | 95.0 | [x] |
| SL007S - Monthly appointments offered for supervised cases | May 2024 to Mar 2025 | 89.7 | 95.0 | [x] |
| SL010 - Timely risk management plans (recall reports part B) | Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 | [x] | [x] | [x] |
| SL011 - Timely parole reports | Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 | 82.6 | 90.0 | 0.7pp |
| SL012R - Completion of targeted interventions for people convicted of sexual offences | Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 | 62.8 | 70.0 | -1.8pp |
| SL013 - Requirements completed by sentence expiry | Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 | 76.3 | 85.0 | -2.4pp |
| SL014 - Housed on release from custody | Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 | 80.4 | 90.0 | -2.0pp |
| SL015Ra - Settled accommodation at 3 months post release | Apr 2024 | 67.7 | 80.0 | [x] |
| SL015Rb - Settled accommodation at 3 months post community disposal | Apr 2024 | 83.7 | 80.0 | [x] |
| SL015Sa - Settled accommodation at 3 months post release for supervised cases | May 2024 to Mar 2025 | 75.4 | 80.0 | [x] |
| SL015Sb - Settled accommodation at 3 months post community disposal for supervised cases | May 2024 to Mar 2025 | 83.8 | 80.0 | [x] |
| SL016 - Employed at 6 weeks post release from custody | Apr 2024 | 17.7 | 19.5 | [x] |
| SL016R - Employed at 6 weeks post release from custody for supervised cases | May 2024 to Mar 2025 | 18.5 | 20.7 | [x] |
| SL017a - Employed at 6 months post release | Apr 2024 | 30.1 | 32.1 | [x] |
| SL017b - Employed at 6 months post community disposal | Apr 2024 | 43.3 | 45.6 | [x] |
| SL017Ra - Employed at 6 months post release for supervised cases | May 2024 to Mar 2025 | 31.8 | 32.7 | [x] |
| SL017Rb - Employed at 6 months post community disposal for supervised cases | May 2024 to Mar 2025 | 44.3 | 46.5 | [x] |
| SL020 - Persons positive experience | Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 | 71.0 | 75.0 | 1.0pp |
| SL021 - Victim satisfaction | Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 | 84.7 | 80.0 | -1.5pp |
| SL022R - POM/COM handover meeting | Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 | 56.6 | 95.0 | 0.8pp |
| SL023 - Pre-release sentence plans for enhanced cases | Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 | 37.2 | 86.5 | 9.7pp |
| SL026 - Unpaid work assessment | Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 | 85.6 | 90.0 | 3.5pp |
| SL027 - Unpaid work starts within 15 business days of sentence | Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 | 71.1 | 80.0 | 5.2pp |
| SL028 - Unpaid work stand downs | Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 | 1.3 | 2.5 | 0.4pp |
| SL029 - Unpaid work completions within 12 months | Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 | 63.1 | 75.0 | 6.1pp |
| SL031 - Accredited programme starts (targeted) | Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 | 86.1 | 90.0 | 7.1pp |
| SL033 - Accredited programme completions (targeted) | Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 | 52.5 | 60.0 | 3.4pp |
| SL040S - Recording protected characteristics | Apr 2024 | 93.6 | 95.0 | [x] |
| SL040T - Recording protected characteristics for supervised cases | May 2024 to Feb 2025 | 98.6 | 95.0 | [x] |
| SL040U - Recording protected characteristics for supervised cases | Mar 2025 | 99.2 | 95.0 | [x] |
| SL125c - Timeliness of recall process - regular recalls probation service | Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 | 96.1 | 90.0 | [x] |
| SL125d - Timeliness of recall process - emergency recalls probation service | Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 | 99.6 | 90.0 | [x] |
5. Commissioned Rehabilitative Services Delivery of Service Level Metrics
Some rehabilitative services such as personal wellbeing and accommodation are delivered under contract by Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) and specialist organisations at the local, or regional level. The management of these Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) contracts is also supported by a performance framework.
2 of 3 service levels improved in performance between the year ending March 2024 and March 2025. The largest increase was that of CRS SL005 - Initial appointments attended within 20 working days, which increased by 5.1pp in comparison to the previous year.
In the year ending March 2025, 2 of 3 CRS service levels met or exceeded the expected target.
Table 3: Commissioned Rehabilitative Services Performance of all service levels for the year April 2024 to March 2025, England and Wales.
(Source: Commissioned Rehabilitative Services Performance Data Tables; Annual)
| Performance Measure | Period Covered | Performance (%) | Target (%) | Percentage point change from previous performance year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRS SL001R - Supplier assessment appointment (SAA) timeliness (revised) | Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 | 94.5 | 95.0 | 1.3pp |
| CRS SL002 - Initial appointments attended | Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 | 91.7 | 90.0 | -0.5pp |
| CRS SL005 - Initial appointments attended within 20 working days | Apr 2024 to Mar 2025 | 94.1 | 90.0 | 5.1pp |
6. Further Information
Accompanying files
As well as this bulletin, the following products are published as part of this release:
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a set of data tables, covering each section of this bulletin
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Technical Note
Explanatory notes
Data in this report are drawn from administrative IT systems; largely National Delius (nDelius), the current probation case management system.
Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the information collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system. While the figures shown have been checked as far as practicable, they should be regarded as approximate and not necessarily accurate to the last whole number shown in the tables.
Performance figures rounded to one decimal place can be found in this document and the accompanying tables published alongside this document. Reported percentage point changes and performance figures are calculated on rounded figures. Where figures in the tables have been rounded, the rounded components do not always add to the totals, which are calculated and rounded independently.
Symbols and conventions
The following symbols have been used throughout the tables in this bulletin:
| Symbol | Description |
|---|---|
| [x] | Not applicable or Not available |
| 0 | Nil or less than half the final digit shown |
| [z] | Unreliable (less than 30 observations) |
Future publications
Our statisticians regularly review the content of publications. Development of new and improved statistical outputs is usually dependent on reallocating existing resources. As part of our continual review and prioritisation, we welcome user feedback on existing outputs including content, breadth, frequency and methodology. Please send any comments you have on this publication including suggestions for further developments or reductions in content.
Contact
Press enquiries should be directed to the Ministry of Justice press office:
Tel: 020 3334 3536
Other enquiries about these statistics should be directed to Data and Analysis at the Ministry of Justice:
Email: communityperformanceenquiries@justice.gov.uk
General enquiries about the statistical work of the Ministry of Justice can be e-mailed to:
Email: statistics.enquiries@justice.gov.uk
General information about the official statistics system of the UK is available from:
URL: http://www.statistics.gov.uk
Next update: 30 July 2026 from:
URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/prison-and-probation-trusts-performance-statistics
© Crown copyright
Produced by the Ministry of Justice
Alternative formats are available on request from:
Email: statistics.enquiries@justice.gov.uk
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Eligibility for Probation Reset
Probation Reset applies as follows:
- Post-Sentence Supervisions (PSS) period: all sentence management contact under PSS will stop (unless exemption criteria are met - see below)
- Community Orders / Suspended Sentence Orders: all Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) appointments and activity days, delivered directly by probation practitioners will cease in the final third (unless exemption criteria are met)
- Licence: contact appointments for people on licence will cease in the final third (unless exemption criteria are met). One contact appointment in the final third for licence cases only is required.
Exemption criteria
Cases that continue with probation contact in the final third are:
- Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangement (MAPPA) cases of all categories (1 to 4) and levels (1 to 3)
- All cases:
• directly managed by a specialist probation practitioner in the National Security Division (NSD)
• identified as very high risk of serious harm
• with current active child protection procedures in place
• those subject to an Intensive Supervision Court pilot (until such time as the evaluation is complete)
Cases within the exemption criteria must continue with contact appointments and RAR activity in the final third. ↩ -
South Central was given a rating of 2 following the performance moderation process. ↩
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Only including measures which were active for at least 6 months of 2024 to 2025 ↩
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“Percentage point change from previous performance year” has only been populated where the measure was active for at least 6 months in both 2024 to 2025 and 2023 to 2024 ↩
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SL028 - Unpaid work stand downs, measures the percentage of Unpaid Work appointments which are cancelled on the same day as the appointment was arranged to take place. Therefore, a decrease in the proportion of Unpaid Work Stand Downs is a positive outcome and indicates an improvement in performance. ↩
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POM/COM Handover Meeting is the handover meeting between the Prison Offender Manager (POM), Community Offender Manager (COM), and the prisoner to prepare the prisoner for release. ↩