The latest Women in Napo (WiN) meeting on 15 September brought clear messages from across the service: women in probation and family courts want change, and Napo is pushing for it. Issues ranged from pay and progression to safety, pensions and women’s health, members spoke with honesty and determination. Here’s where our campaign energy is now focused.
Fair Pay for a Female Workforce
Probation members mentioned that the situation facing them is stark. Like health and education it is predominantly a female workforce and severely undervalued. Members drew attention to the shift from a more male-dominated service in the 1970s and questioned whether this history is baked into today’s pay and progression structures.
That’s why Napo’s 12% consolidated pay claim for probation staff matters. It’s about raising the floor, not just handing out one-off lump sums. It’s about ensuring those at the top of their scale stop being forgotten. And it’s about tackling longstanding issues around increments, progression and the Competency Based Framework. These remain core priorities for our negotiators.
We’ll do more work to find out if this same history of gender imbalance exists in Family Courts too.
Respect for Experience and an Overdue JES Review
Women raised concerns that long-serving staff rarely receive the recognition they deserve, especially those who’ve reached the top of their band but still shoulder huge responsibility.
The JES review delays are adding to the frustration, especially with the pay gap between PTA and comparable social work roles. Napo is pushing for an updated, modern JES manual and a clear timeline that reflects the reality of today’s service.
Safety, Boundaries and Challenging Misogyny
Boundary training for new staff is not where it needs to be. Members shared concerns that reduced training leaves colleagues exposed, usually impacting women entering the service for the first time. Following the Preston incident, a full review of safety and risk assessments is already underway.
There were also strong calls for action on workplace misogyny. Napo is responding by reviewing all HR policies through an equalities lens and committing to the TUC’s unacceptable behaviours training programme.
Women’s Health: A Workplace Priority
Members want a proper strategy for women’s health at work. This includes practical support on menstruation, maternity, menopause, and conditions such as endometriosis and gynaecological cancers. A Women’s Health Sub-Group remains a priority, with proposals for specialist webinars and joint work with the H&S Network ready to pick up pace when capacity allows.
Caring Responsibilities, Pensions and Supporting Older Women
The conversation also turned to the financial impact of caring breaks has on pensions. This is an area where members want answers and action. The recent Quilter financial planning webinars were well received and more will run throughout the year.
Staff aged 60+ also raised the need for structured support and upskilling as part of a fair and inclusive workplace.
Beyond Harassment: Domestic Abuse and Vicarious Trauma
Alongside Napo’s work on sexual harassment and assault, members asked for stronger support around domestic abuse. The sessions with Becky Shepherd on vicarious trauma were praised as essential, and further work in this area is planned.
Strengthening Our Voice
Women asked for regular summaries of WiN discussions to help widen engagement. These will now be included in the Napo newsletter.
There was also strong interest in exploring Senior Practitioner roles within probation, similar to social work. This is being taken forward with the Napo Chair, and members are encouraged to raise it locally through NEC reps.
Survey, White Ribbon Day and What’s Next
Napo’s Sexual Harassment & Assault Survey is now live for all staff and runs until 1 December 2025.
We’re also hosting a webinar with Professor Kieran McCartan on 24 November, with a replay on 25 November, as part of our White Ribbon Day activity. More details will follow shortly.
Stay Involved
Women in Napo drives real change because members speak up. If you want to join the conversation or raise an issue, contact:
Shireena Suleman – ssuleman@napo.org.uk
Annoesjka Valent – avalent@napo.org.uk
Important documents you should read now:
