Another prime minister. Another justice secretary. Soon, another minister responsible for probation.
By the time the latest appointments are complete, England and Wales will have seen its 13th Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice since 2010, and a 15th minister with responsibility for probation over the same period.
However, this latest churn of appointments could be leveraged to our advantage if we get the level of engagement we need in the current ballot.
HMMPS and sections of the MoJ have been good at convincing successive governments that they can be trusted with probation, even though those working in the service can see it crumbling around them.
Members were shocked to hear that in his resigning statement, Lord Timpson, said probation is “…in a much healthier and happier state than two years ago”.
If that is the case then why has the largest trade union in the probation service passed an unprecedented motion of no confidence in HMPPS only weeks ago, and why are we balloting members for their views on possible industrial action over the excessive workloads that are ruining their lives and their ability to do their jobs?
That is why this ballot matters.
The best way to neutralise the delusional narrative and propaganda the government will be receiving from your employer is to vote and to encourage as many other members as possible to vote in the current indicative ballot.
Only then will the incumbent team learn that the problems caused by HMPPS, the MoJ and successive politicians who know less than they care about probation and its workforce, cannot be swept under the carpet with another cabinet reshuffle.
Napo, and the other trade unions, will be seeking to meet with the new ministerial team in the coming weeks to make forceful representations on the current dire state of the probation service, the lead role HMPPS has played in this, and how our members believe it’s decline can be prevented.
But the way you vote may determine just how receptive they are.
For more information about the ballot and upcoming meetings visit: https://www.napo.org.uk/confidence-broken
One Response
I am flabbergasted by the narrative that the ever increasing caseloads and the exiting of staff re case management be it sickness or being promoted to new roles or leaving the service can be seen as being healthy! Reshuffling of cases within OMIC/the RESET Hub diminishes continuity for POPs resulting in numerous officer changes & inability to formulate professional relationships with those being managed in the community. Whilst I appreciate the situation in the secure estates – prisons are terrible the lack of resources & high caseloads only hampers risk assessments & public protection. In addition, the major issues is that staff in the community are having to be housing & adult social care specialists and plug the gaps in NHS ie mental health when managing POPs in the community. Furthermore, probation practitioner’s are pulled in too many directions & unable to do any meaningful work with POPs if caseloads are high within contractual hours of our employment.