Probation service staff take industrial action

Probation service staff in eight areas are working to their
contracted hours as part of a dispute over their workloads
following a strike on January 28.

The National Association of Probation Officers said the action
was being taken in areas were there had not been agreement on
mechanisms to measure workloads, and to ensure that tasks are set
aside when they become excessive.

Eithne Wallis, national director of the probation service, has
warned that the industrial action “could undermine significant
progress made in recent years”.

The action does not include staff in the Children and Family
Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass).