Following feedback from Napo representatives and members, the employer has confirmed an important change to the proposed approach to staff safety training.
As members will recall, the initial proposal included the introduction of SPEAR-style safety training. Napo raised a number of concerns about this approach, particularly around the potential implications for staff roles, expectations placed on probation practitioners, and the need to ensure that any safety training remains appropriate for our professional context.
We are pleased to confirm that the employer has listened to these concerns. The proposed training will now focus on personal safety and de-escalation techniques, rather than SPEAR-style physical intervention methods.
What this means for staff
The revised training programme, which is accessible for all staff including those who may have a reduced physical ability, will focus on:
Recognising early signs of escalating behaviour
- Communication and de-escalation skills
- Maintaining personal safety in challenging situations
- Practical strategies to safely manage difficult interactions
Importantly, the training is designed to support staff to reduce and defuse conflict, rather than place expectations on probation staff to physically intervene.
It is NOT control and restraint training.
An additional layer of protection
While training alone cannot remove all risks associated with frontline work, this rollout represents another layer of protection for staff. Napo has consistently argued that staff safety must be strengthened through a combination of measures, including:
- Appropriate office design and security arrangements
- Clear escalation procedures
- Manageable workloads
- Effective training and guidance
Personal safety and de-escalation training can play a constructive role within this wider framework.
Napo’s position
Napo will continue to engage with the employer as the training is rolled out to ensure that:
- Training remains appropriate to the probation role
- Staff are not expected to undertake enforcement or physical restraint functions
- Safety measures are proportionate and supportive of professional practice
- Lobby the employer to research the cause of increasing aggression within probation
We welcome the employer’s willingness to listen to staff concerns and adjust the approach accordingly.
We will continue to monitor implementation closely and encourage members to share feedback with their local Napo representatives as the training is introduced.