A thematic inspection of the recruitment, training, and retention of frontline probation practitioners
An inspection by HM Inspectorate of Probation January 2025
This is a thorough and in our view, much needed, inspection looking closely at all three aspects of building and retaining a competent workforce. There are many quotes from PSOs, PQIPs, NQOs and managers telling a significant story about the need for change.
This paragraph concludes the "Training" chapter of the report:
"There are ambitions for the Probation Service to have a meaningful learning culture, but this has not yet been achieved, in part due to workload pressures. The value and status placed on learning and development need to be elevated, to ensure that it is not simply viewed as a tick-box process."
Also a recommendation:
"HMPPS should strengthen mechanisms to ensure that training and development is followed up, to ensure that the learning is translated into practice."
HMI makes a number of recommendations regarding recruitment and retention including:
"MOJ should ensure that probation practitioners’ pay and benefits adequately reflect the responsibilities of the role and are sufficiently competitive to attract and retain staff."
From a PQIP
“In my interview I was thinking how on earth are they gauging how I am going to do the job. It is very structured to Civil Service and does not seem to test how someone would manage risk in the room, assess risk etc.”
And from a NQO:
“it’s nothing like I thought it would be. From talking to more experienced colleagues, it sounds as if the job I thought I was applying for was more like what it used to be in the past – helping and supporting people. I had no idea about level of admin work. I thought would be more face to face.”
The retention figures show a 10.3% leaver rate in the year to September 2024.
Regarding retention:
"The strongest messages from the frontline are that:
workloads and caseloads are excessive
they are feeling stressed
they strongly believe that the pay offer undervalues their skills and the challenges of the role
although they felt pride in their role in supporting people to change, the current strains on the service undermined the probation mission and values."
Image by Markus Winkler on Unsplash