This weekend sees our second annual Probation Day take place on the 21 August, giving us an opportunity for us to celebrate and tell others about the important work you do every single day across the Probation Service. I hope you were able to join our launch event this morning and are taking part in one of the many events happening across teams and regions over the next few days.

As part of the lead up to Probation Day, I really enjoyed visiting our Newport office in South Wales yesterday and spending some time with one of our trainee probation officers Karen Olding-Sims. It was really insightful to hear first hand from Karen about

her experience of training with us and I am so pleased we were able to recruit over 1500 trainee officers like Karen last year as they will be integral to growing and shaping our future Probation Service and continuing to deliver our vital work. Thank you to Karen and the team in Wales for the warm welcome I received.

I also want to highlight how grateful I am to everyone who is playing a role in supporting our trainees across teams and know how much this is also valued by them too from speaking to Karen – thank you all.

We are continuing to recruit many more PQIP learners this year so if you or any of your family or friends are interested in applying for one of these important roles please do look at the vacancies here at Justice Jobs.

A big well done to two colleagues from the South West region, Bryony King and Angela Auty who recently received “Highly Commended” certificates from the Confederation of European Probation for their public protection work. Bryony and Angela were both nominated for awards by their Regional Probation Director Angela Cossins, the awards panel highly commended them both so congratulations Bryony and Angela – flying the flag for the Probation Service across Europe!

Looking to the future, many of you will have read Jim’s article on One HMPPS setting out our very early thoughts about opportunities for closer regional working and improving the focus on the frontline. We spoke to senior leaders about this on Monday at our quarterly event with them and are keen for you to let us know what you think too so look out for events coming up in the autumn.

I am sure you will have also seen Jo Farrar’s message this week about changes to the senior leadership structure in HMPPS announced by the Permanent Secretary which Jo describes as our first step towards becoming One HMPPS through a more integrated leadership structure.  You will be kept updated on this over the next few weeks but please be assured that everyone’s focus continues to be on front line delivery and ensuring there will be absolutely no disruption, as a result of these changes.

Thank you as ever for all you do and enjoy Probation Day – I am very proud of you all

Amy