Probation Officer Case Load 2024-01-09

2024-01-09

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Cat Smith Lab
Lancaster and Wyre
Context
The question arises from concerns over the sustainability of workloads for probation officers which affect staff morale, retention, and public safety.
What assessment has been made of the sustainability of probation officer case loads?
We have increased funding for the probation service by £155 million a year to recruit more staff, bring down caseloads and deliver better supervision of offenders in the community. We have also accelerated recruitment of trainee probation officers, particularly in areas with the most significant staffing challenges. As a result, more than 4,000 trainees started on training courses between April 2020 and March of last year.
Assessment & feedback
The specific assessment of sustainability was not provided; rather, measures to address high caseloads were mentioned.
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Cat Smith Lab
Lancaster and Wyre
Context
High probation workloads are impacting staff morale, retention, and public safety. A proposal has been made to abolish the post-sentence supervision requirement.
Probation workloads are too high, which is having a terrible impact on both staff morale and retention as well as public safety. What consideration has the Minister given to the very reasonable proposal agreed between His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service and the probation unions to free up staff time by abolishing the post-sentence supervision?
The hon. Lady raises an important point. Although, on partial data for this year, caseloads are going down, she is right to highlight that they are still high. She makes a good point about the post-sentence supervision requirement, which I am happy to reflect on carefully. I understand that the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, the right hon. and learned Member for Cheltenham (Alex Chalk) has met representatives to hear their views on the matter.
Assessment & feedback
The specific proposal was not addressed directly; instead, it was noted as a point under consideration.
Response accuracy