The employer has issued a national communication/guidance on the meningitis outbreak in the KSS area to the region’s Prisons and AP premises and have added that it can also be issued to probation if the first line is removed. It does not provide probation-specific operational guidance, so again, probation managers and staff are expected to manage risk without clear systems, guidance, or protection. Please be assured, Napo is working urgently on a national and local basis to address this.
At Present:
- [There are no known links of the disease spreading to probation offices or Approved Premises]
- The situation is being managed locally by the centre? Needs clarifying
- Risk to the wider public remains low
What you need to do:
1. Stay alert to symptoms
Be aware of early signs of meningitis, including:
- High temperature (fever)
- Severe headache
- Neck stiffness
- Sensitivity to light
- Nausea or vomiting
- Drowsiness or confusion
- Unusual rash (does not fade when pressed)
2. Maintain good hygiene
- Wash hands regularly or use hand sanitiser
- Avoid sharing drinks, cigarettes, or utensils
- Clean shared surfaces where possible
3. Practice safely in offices and appointments
Speak to your managers about any safety actions to take, but here are a few suggestions:
- If a person on probation appears unwell, do not continue the appointment as normal
- Consider rearranging or moving appointments to remote contact
- Speak to your manager if you have concerns about attending work or specific cases
Protect yourself and others
- Do not attend work if you are unwell with flu-like symptoms
- Follow sickness reporting procedures
- Managers should support staff to make risk-based decisions about contact
Use professional judgement
Probation environments are different from prisons:
- We do not operate in closed settings
- Risk is lower, but contact with multiple individuals increases exposure potential
- Apply proportionate, common-sense precautions
- Think about the specific area of probation you work in and discuss concerns with your managers
There is no cause for alarm, but early awareness and sensible precautions are essential to protect staff, people on probation, and the wider community.
Napo's position
We expect:
- Clear local communication and updates for staff
- Discussion with local H and S reps to update the safe systems of work document
- Access to hygiene supplies (e.g. hand sanitiser)
- Support for staff who need to adjust working arrangements
If you have continue to have concerns about your safety or workplace response, please contact your local Napo representative.