Probation conference hears the plight of trainees
Napo AGM 2022
Helen Banner Napo’s new national chair began the final session of conference.
The plight of those undertaking the Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP) was well heard this morning. Previously known as Trainee Probation Officers they are now known as PQiPs. It seems it is a lottery in relation to what support PQiPs receive. You may be within a team that is well-resourced and hence your caseload may be reasonable but if you are in a team inadequately resourced your caseload could well be double or more.
We heard that in many offices there are now more PQiPs than qualified staff. This means the PQiPs are given cases beyond their experience which leads often to them feeling overwhelmed. It seems they are voting with their feet. I believe I heard up to 28% are leaving on or shortly after qualifying (please fact-check me). The motion is below and was proposed by, I believe, a Newly Qualified Officer (NQO).
There have always been challenges in Probation but it seems we have hit a new crisis with experienced staff moving out of the frontline. The PQiPs who are seen as the great hope of the Probation service unfortunately seem to be struggling as a result of high expectations and a lack of adequate support in their training. If the figure of 28% is accurate you can see the problem.
This is not on the whole to do with individual workers but a systemic problem. And the solution? That workers join Napo and organise to protect themselves from the effects of excess work. This can be done locally while together we can contribute to a national momentum to get the government to address the fundamental issues.
See you next year in Nottingham.
g
He writes as he does but here as a Napo member
