Calculation of retrospective holiday pay for NPS sessionals

As all our members in probation will know only too well, Transforming Rehabilitation resulted in many changes for individuals. One such example was that the arrangements that sessional workers had with the former Probation Trusts came to an end from 31 May 2014. NOMS then offered new sessional engagements to those who wanted to continue to undertake this work in the NPS.

NOMS has not previously paid holiday pay for sessional engagements due to those workers being engaged on contracts for services provided, as opposed to having actual contracts of employment. However, following a long campaign, NOMS has reviewed the position with regard to holiday pay and NPS sessionals. Due to the nature of the way sessionals are deployed in the NPS, NOMS has chosen to change its’ position to one where sessional workers in the NPS accrue, take and are paid holiday pay.  

Good news then; and those members affected will shortly be receiving a letter which will indicate that there is still some work to do to get the processes in place to enable this to happen after NOMS has identified who is in scope for retrospective payment.

We have also insisted that there should be an appeals mechanism if individuals are unhappy with their situation.

Cafcass demonstrates practical support for ‘Foster to Adopt’

It’s always good to see a proactive approach from employers to equality issues and news reaches me that Cafcass have proposed changes to their Attendance Management Policy to reflect the introduction of the Dual Approved Prospective Adopters (also referred to as the ‘Foster to Adopt Scheme’). This now includes information around pay and leave entitlements relating to the scheme.

This reflects well on the employer and Napo and the Family Court Section negotiators who have been seeking these changes. We could now do with some urgent dialogue with senior Cafcass management about the increase in caseloads since last year, and the capacity of practitioners to cope with them in the face of inadequate funding from the MoJ. It’s another one for the agenda when we get to meet with the Minister for Families hopefully soon.

Important Napo surveys

There are two current surveys open to Napo members in NPS and the Family Court Section.

NPS members are being asked to complete a short ‘Survey Monkey’ on workloads and pressures.  The more that members respond then the more seriously the possibility that senior NPS management will listen, so If you haven't already done so, please complete the survey by clicking here by the 2nd September. This information will also help to inform the expected debate on the motion for the forthcoming AGM which asks us what we are doing about the issue.

All members are asked to respond to the consultation on our proposed professional strategy. This includes members in the Family Court Section, who can help by letting us know their thoughts on the ideas in the strategy, such as a licence to practice and the potential for an independent regulator, that already exist in Cafcass. The closing date for responses is 5th September and your replies will inform a paper that will then be published for debate at the Napo AGM. For more information, and to give your feedback, please click here.

Napo’s reputation as a strong, effective and credible voice for its members rests on our unique long-standing commitment to directly engaging with all members whenever possible. We really do value the strength that your voice adds to our message and we look forward to receiving responses to these important consultations.

Meeting with Richard Burgon

A very useful meeting took place with Richard Burgon MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Russell Fraser his policy adviser, who members may remember spoke at an AGM fringe last year. Along with Jo Stevens MP, who we are really looking forward to seeing at our forthcoming AGM in Cardiff, they make a formidable looking team.

Following this Tania Bassett has already sent across a raft of juicy questions some of which we hope will be tabled in the first justice questions session when Parliament reconvenes from what has to be one of the longest recesses in living memory.

Job evaluation

All of us who have been involved with the Job Evaluation discussions around E3 as well as those practitioners who worked so brilliantly on behalf of the Napo members in the grades involved, want to get news of the appeal panel’s decisions as soon as possible.

As I have explained before, the Probation unions do not own the JE process and it is up to NOMS to arrange the mechanism for the servicing and the timetable for completion of the task at hand.

We understand that there is still some work to be done in respect of one of the panels and this means that NOMS do not expect to be in a position to announce all of the results until week commencing 5th September.

Given the farce that occurred last time out with information being ‘grapevined’ around which caused us and the employers to chase our tails, agreement has been reached that simultaneous communications will be issued by NOMS and the Unions once the results from all the panels are published.

I well appreciate the anxiety being felt by members but I am asking that you await official news and avoid calling Chivalry Road or those colleagues who you know have been involved as they have nothing more that they can say beyond what I have just told you, and I hope you will agree that it is unfair that they should be put under further pressure.

AGM..AGM..AGM

It’s earlier; it’s still the same price as last time and if you have not yet got round to it please register today by clicking here. There’s a really exciting programme and important issues for debate and Cardiff is a fantastic city for business and pleasure! What more of incentive is there?

Meanwhile, summer is still here (hopefully)

Here’s hoping that you and your loved ones enjoy some rest and great weather over the bank holiday weekend.