Many of you will be aware of a HMIP report published this morning Race Equality in probation: the experience of black, Asian and minority ethnic probation service users and staff. The thematic inspection highlights very worrying issues facing service users and staff alike. The report shows that Transforming Rehabilitation has led to many specialist services being cut and has led to a significant backward step for the organisation.
On top of that it highlights very worrying findings of staff being discriminated and disadvantaged in the work place with little or no understanding of race related issues and the impact this has on BAME staff. Whilst the reunification of probation in June is an opportunity to rebuild the profession this report shows that there is considerable work to be done across the board.
Napo will be working with the employer and holding them to account for the failings raised by HMIP. We will be asking the employer to implement all of the recommendations in the report to ensure that staff are protected and can thrive in their profession as well as ensuing that BAME service users are managed appropriately and not disadvantaged by a lack of service provision.
Napo will also provide advice, guidance and support to any members who are discriminated against or disadvantaged in anyway. Please speak to you branch in the first instance to raise any issues so that we raise them at a national level and help to feed into the review process.
Members can also join the Napo Black Network (NBN). The NBN is a safe space for Members who identify as BAME to share their experiences of working in Probation. You can join by contacting Ian Lawrence, General secretary, or Ranjit Singh, Acting Assistant General Secretary, via infor@napo.org.uk