Is Probation Toxic?

I find it an extremely uncomfortable thought, but the response to yesterday's blog post about some research on the role of SPOs has forced me to reconsider the notion that a Service I care very much about has become toxic. The thought did first flash through my mind when hearing of the Casey Review into the Metropolitan Police and the astonishing revelations confirmed by the new Commissioner. Then there was another devastating report on the London Fire Brigade.

We know about the Home Office toxic culture regarding Windrush and more recently the asylum situation, and there's been concern regarding HMPPS. On many occasions I've voiced worries regarding the dead bureaucratic hand of the Civil Service, but never really thought the Probation Service per se and now an enforced bed fellow of the Prison Service has become tainted and well, just plain toxic. But the fact is there are so many worrying stories and views swirling around on here, the 'secret' Facebook group and 'Review' sites such as 'Indeed' that maybe the time has come for a similar independent review of the Service. I regularly hear of bullying, toxic environments and workplace harm and even leading to PTSD diagnoses.    

This is a flavour from Indeed, but sadly much is not readable due to the pathetic practice of insisting readers file a Review first:- 

Poor management and very high sickness levels, due to stress.

Probation Officer (Current Employee) - Bradford, West Yorkshire - 30 December 2021
The most stressful part of working in the Probation Service, is the poor management, of whom are never held accountable to their superiors. A huge caseload and not enough hours in the day to be able to do your job efficiently is a constant daily worry! If you really want a career that you feel makes a positive difference in peoples lives, don't be deluded by thinking you will do this by working in the Probation Service.

Stressful workplace, that can negatively affect your mental health

Probation Service Officer. (Former Employee) - London - 7 November 2022
Impossible to retain staff due to being overworked, underpaid and not a respected profession. Expect a large caseload, to work beyond your contract hours including weekends and to rearrange leave to meet admin deadlines and not to interact with the service users. Impossible to switch off, expect emails after midnight. I was lucky to have supportive colleagues, amazing admin team and managers that don't micro manage.

Poor management. High caseloads

Probation Service Officer (Former Employee) - North West - 25 October 2022

Stressful job that you will take home with you. High caseloads and lack of tools to do the job effectively. Training is given but you are not allocated the time to absorb it.  

--oo00oo--

The Prison Service side of HMPPS is no better:-

Too many cons, not enough pros

Business Administrator (Current Employee) - 1 November 2022

All experience staff leaving means no one to train the newbies. Pay was bad until the pay rise this year, bought the non operational staff wages up a fair amount! Management are terrible, they don't listen or care about staff at all. Don't ever get sick or develop a chronic illness, they will try and get rid of you.

*****
Great people, bad management

Business Administrator (Former Employee) - 16 November 2022

I thought working there is like giving back to the society but I now know that I can give back in many other ways. The place needs a complete overhaul. Very low pay, bad management, bad working environment, sub standard equipment to carry out daily tasks and bullying is regularly overlooked. I'm happy I've moved on in my career and will never ever go near the prison service again.

*****
Corrupt Government Organisation

Business Administrator (Current Employee)  - 7 July 2022

No staff support from senior management. They already know who they are promoting so you'd be lucky if an advert even comes out. If your face doesn't fit you won't get anywhere. If you think logically, it's not a place for you.

*****
Toxic environment

Mechanical Engineer (Former Employee) - 18 October 2022

Shambolic organisation,
Understaffed overworked
Management is clueless
Toxic environment and culture
Nobody has your back when something hits the fan.
Strongly advise anybody to give a wide birth.

--oo00oo--

Whilst rooting around on the internet I came across this which struck me as particularly redolent of the current situation:- 

From Probation Officer to Career Coach

This month, I thought I’d interview...myself! I made a change quite early on in my career. It was a hard decision, having spent two years studying and training for it. However, the experience now helps me empathise with how my clients may be feeling. Here, I share my story and what I learnt along the way. I hope my words inspire you to take action, should you find yourself feeling like I did - stressed and in a career that you see little future in.

1. What work were you doing before?

I studied Psychology & Criminology at University, and went on to train as a Probation Officer after that. This involved a two year training course where I completed a second degree and an NVQ, whilst working with a small caseload of offenders. I worked with offenders in the community and in prison, helping to rehabilitate them by changing their criminal behavioural patterns.

2. How did you know a change was required?

I was quite young when I qualified, with little life experience. I remember one particular Monday morning where I was sat at my desk thinking, “Is this it? Surely there’s got to be more to life than this?” The career path laid out in front of me seemed incredibly stressful, frustrating, and not particularly exciting. I went on holiday around then and the thought of returning to work just filled me with utter fear and dread. I knew something had to change. I came home and handed my notice in on my first day back!

3. What helped you make the decision to finally do something about your situation?

It sounds a bit odd but it was a feeling that took over, more than anything. The career just didn’t feel right anymore. I got to the point where enough was enough, and it just seemed obvious and logical to move on.

I had secured a 12 month temporary contract, through a family friend, doing something completely different (Professional Services Marketing), which meant I had something to go to. I think this helped me bite the bullet and move on, even though I didn’t really know what I wanted to do next.

Having my parents onboard helped too, as they made me realise I could always go back to being a Probation Officer if I changed my mind.