Soaring  probation workloads put the public at risk, warn unions

Soaring workloads in the probation service are putting the public at risk, unions warn today (Monday).  Napo, UNISON and GMB, which represent staff working in the probation service in England and Wales, say crippling workloads will lead to a catastrophic breakdown of the service if the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) does not intervene.   Probation workers are responsible for monitoring people on probation in the community.  But a recent restructure and staff shortages are making it extremely difficult to keep tabs on some of the UK’s most dangerous individuals, say the unions. Employees are buckling under the pressure and many workers are quitting, leaving newly qualified and less experienced staff to take the reins.    Unions fear overstretched staff are being scapegoated for the effects of an under-resourced service, prompting yet more staff to seek employment elsewhere.   Calls for immediate government intervention have gone unheeded, say unions. This has led to the launch of today’s campaign aimed at reducing workload.  The three unions are hopeful that the campaign, Operation Protect, will raise wider awareness of the issue and the threat posed to the public. Napo general secretary Ian Lawrence said: “It would be all too easy for this much-needed campaign to be seen as a negative move from the probation unions. But among the key objectives is a call to senior leaders in probation and His Majesty’s Priso...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: News Press release ben priestley probation Source Type: news