Latest From Napo 224

Since the demise of the General Secretary's blog, communication from Napo has become noticeably sparse, but this went out on Thursday 10th June:-

Dear Xxxxxxxx

Members will have received an all staff email from the NPS in respect of the new banding of some of the Interventions roles transferring into the NPS, these include but not exclusively Unpaid Work Manager, programmes Treatment Manager and the Programmes Manager.

Napo are aware that this has (as we knew it would) caused a great deal of anxiety and uncertainty amongst those affected. We contend that the job descriptions used for the evaluations were written by a team in central HMPPS that could not have possessed the knowledge and understanding of these roles to fully encapsulate them in a job description. This has, at least in part, been a significant factor in the outcome which has led to a number of roles being evaluated at a level below expected.

Appeals to be submitted by NPS

As the NPS communication stated, this outcome has been appealed by the NPS themselves. The Trade Unions feel that had we been consulted on the whole process from the beginning these situations wouldn’t have developed in this way. Needless to say, this failure to follow process and policy has been directly challenged and the Trade Unions and the NPS are now working jointly to rectify this.

Staff working in DSOU’S

The current communications do not include a reference to staff working within the DSOUs with individuals who commit sexual offences. The reason for this is that the proposals for this group of staff are far more wide reaching. As you would expect, the trade unions have challenged these situations and have successfully agreed a consultation process before some of the proposals come into effect, and a lengthy consultation paper has been presented to the employer from Napo. This will give us an opportunity to feed into the new model, make representations on behalf of members and ensure that high quality and effective practice are the drivers for any reform.

Pay protection pending appeals

The email that staff have received outlines the temporary work around while we wait for the job evaluation appeal process to run its due course. The NPS have stated that they are hopeful that the appeal outcome will be reached by August. In the meantime, they have also committed to adhere to the job evaluation process, as to ignore it regardless of the outcome would set an unwelcome precedent. As such, staff affected will now transfer and be assimilated to their new band but will have pay protection guaranteed for three years until the appeal and consultations are completed.

Napo will continue to press the employer on resolving this issue as soon as possible and highlight the significant impact this is having on members during what is already a very difficult time for many of you. More news will follow as soon as it becomes available, but meanwhile If you have any urgent queries, then please contact your Branch in the first instance who can feed your concerns through your Link Officers and Officials into Napo HQ and assist us with our approach to the Job Evaluation Appeals and subsequent negotiations.

Best Wishes

Ian Lawrence
General Secretary

--oo00oo--

These are some extracts from 28th May and a long mailout just before Bank Holiday with all the hallmarks of 'we must get something out before the weekend'. I couldn't be bothered to share it then but might as well use as padding today:-

Napo standing up for members across a broad front

As we enter the final few weeks before Probation reunification on 26th June, it’s a good opportunity to reflect again on the incredible efforts of our members in the NPS, CRCs, Cafcass and Probation Northern Ireland during the National pandemic.

Our members have been maintaining vitally important public services in the face of appalling mismanagement of the Covid Crisis by this Government. This has again been laid bare during evidence to a Parliamentary Select Committee this week. Napo fully supports the need for an independent public enquiry and will be making our voice heard at every opportunity.

Probation Reunification

The run in to reunification has seen twice weekly meetings taking place between the unions and the Reform team. These have covered a wide range of issues including role matching, pay protection, job evaluation and matters that have been escalated up from the nearly all completed measures discussions that have been taking place in the CRCs and where Napo members interests have been ably taken forward by your Branch representatives working in partnership with our National Officials. Further information about these exchanges and outcomes can be routed through your Branch who will liaise with the appropriate Napo National Official.

Health and Safety

Despite the relatively successful implementation of the national Covid vaccination strategy, there is no room for complacency when it comes to the delivery of services across all employers where Napo is represented. This is why we are engaging in twice weekly meetings with senior NPS leaders to discuss the NPS recovery strategy in addition to our regular contact with the Director General. Similar engagement is also taking place with Cafcass and PBNI.

Whilst there has been a lifting of the pause on some activities, all of the joint recovery work with employers is set against a background of continuing to monitor local case rates and the national road map announcements from Government.

We have been informed in recovery meetings with the NPS that Regional Directors have been reminded to take account of case numbers in their local area adjusting the type of activities to any increase in case numbers or the emergence of any Covid variant of concern.

This consideration should also be reflected in all associated risk assessments. Therefore, should members have concerns about any activity they are being requested to undertake, they are encouraged to approach their Napo Branch for advice who will be able to escalate.

Update on NPS pay discussions including pay progression position

Following the submission of the joint unions multi-year pay claim for 2021-23 we expect to enter into formal negotiations next month. As members know the situation on pay is not looking good because of the punitive pay freeze that has been imposed by Government. This is obviously opposed by the probation unions and we have made it clear that it is simply untenable for our members who have worked so hard during the pandemic to be treated this way. We have also said that Probation reunification could never have happened without the massive efforts of NPS and CRC members and this must be recognised.

Members have understandably been asking questions about when contractual pay progression (due from April 1st) is to be paid out by the NPS. Given the experiences of last year we have obviously been pressing the case at every opportunity for this to be implemented. The position is complicated by the insistence of the HM Treasury that they must give authority for this to happen as is the case for similar payments that may be due to staff in other government departments. There is a delicate balancing act for us between early payment of contractual progression and closing the door to any applications that may be made for other pay related matters.

More news on these and other pay issues that Napo is pursuing will follow as soon as it becomes available.