PROBATION services looking after medium and low risk offenders in Sussex have been told then need to improve by government inspectors.

Kent, Surrey and Sussex Community Rehabilitation Company - is a private company that looks after 8,500 low and medium risk offenders across the four counties.

A report by HM Inspectorate of Probation concluded they required improvement.

The report published today said: “Our overall rating was pulled down by the quality of case supervision. This is currently not of a sufficient standard, particularly in the work to protect the public and manage the risk of harm, which was of concern across all aspects of case supervision, including assessment, planning and delivery.

“So, for example, while a comprehensive range of services are potentially available, it was disappointing to see these not being delivered in practice in the cases we looked at. In addition, risk of harm assessments are failing to take sufficient account of information from partners, like the police or children’s social care services, or of past violent behaviour. “

The company said: “Work has already started to improve case management with new quality development officers (QDOs) in place across Kent, Surrey and Sussex to help probation teams to evaluate work and improve practice. “

The report highlighted failings in the Through the Gate programme intended to prepare offenders being released from jail. At HMP Lewes 349 men were released but bank accounts were only arranged for 11 inmates and personal identification documents for just six.

Last month the Government announced that Probation services are set to be renationalised.