In March of last year, Napo and UNISON undertook a survey of our members in Unpaid Work. You can see the survey report here. It tells a terrible story of the unacceptable conditions which our UPW members are forced to work in.
We carried out the survey because members in UPW had been telling us about the poor and dangerous working conditions and the inadequate equipment, vehicles and premises they were having to endure, day in day, out when doing their job.
Summary Survey Results
The results of our survey confirmed our concerns:
- 80% of respondents say that their team is understaffed
- More than half feel unsafe at work
- 61% have been subjected to verbal or physical aggression
- 37% have recorded violence or stress on Sphera
- Half are lone workers
- Nearly a quarter are very highly stressed at work
- 44% say that their vehicles are inadequate
- 42% that their equipment is inadequate
- 48% that the premises they work out of are inadequate
- Over half are unable to take a rest break during the working day
Our survey also gathered detailed comments from our members which expand on the above findings. These heartfelt comments are a powerful testimony of just how difficult it is for our UPW members to work for HMPPS.
Our survey report demands action, and we have sent the survey results to HMPPS with a request for urgent talks to address the problems which our survey has clearly identified.
UPW Action Plan
On the back of the very concerning survey results, Napo and UNISON have proposed the following 6 point action plan to HMPPS:
1. Ministerial Commitment to an UPW Improvement Plan: agreed at the highest level with funding to ensure its delivery
2. Creation of an UPW Sub-Committee to the Probation Service Joint Negotiating Committee: to act as the forum for employer and unions to review the current failings in UPW delivery and to agree the joint improvement plan
3. A joint review of UPW Management with timelines for recommendations: to review existing management resources, span of control, delegation and procedural justice
4. A joint review of UPW Funding: to determine where funding gaps exist and what resources are needed to address the deficiencies identified by our survey, particularly around premises, equipment and vehicles
5. Joint Agreement on Group Size Limits and Double Crewing: to ensure that the health, safety and welfare of our members and that of people on probation is adequately protected
6. A joint review of how pay and conditions are impacting on recruitment and retention of UPW staff: with a particular focus on rest breaks and compensatory rest, the payment of unsocial hours and overall levels of pay
Napo and UNISON believe that this survey illustrates that there are systemic failings in the organisation and delivery of UPW which must be addressed. We are not prepared to see our members carry the blame for HMPPS mismanagement of UPW. It’s time for change!
This issue among others, will be considered by Napo’s National Executive Committee at its meeting on 5th March.