I really enjoyed opportunities to be out and about meeting some of you last week. On Wednesday, I met with a group of Probation Officers in Reading to hear their thoughts on their roles and update them on work we are doing centrally. We had a very candid and insightful discussion so a huge thank you to all who joined and for the brilliant work you are doing every day.

On Thursday, I was in London visiting the Ruskin House office, meeting staff who work in the Public Protection Casework Section (PPCS) and seeing first-hand the very important work they do. Thank you to everyone I met for the warm welcome I received and all you are doing to help us protect the public and keep communities safe.

One of the vital areas of our practice the PPCS team oversee is Parole, and there is an important change to Parole Board rules being implemented from the 21 July which will see the Single Secretary of State View being introduced in terms of report recommendations. As I am sure you are aware, Parole reform is a priority for the Deputy Prime Minister (you can read more about his thoughts on Parole and a review undertaken on the MOJ intranet). Information has come out to regions this week to brief teams on the change to a Single Secretary of State View so it is really important that you are aware of this and how it will change our processes. There are also national briefings taking place from next week and you can find more information on these and how to join them below.

A reminder that we have an all staff event taking place next week on Tuesday 12 July at 9.15am to update you on work being undertaken to respond to the findings of the joint Race Survey we published in earlier this year. This will be a short 30 minute update call ahead of fuller event in September. Please do join us if you can by following this link.

I have enjoyed seeing photos of many of you taking part in Pride celebrations over the last few weeks and decorating offices to affirm our support to LGBT+ colleagues across the Probation Service. I am committed to making the Probation Service a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone can feel they belong, so a huge thank you to everyone who is helping us do this and in particular to Nic Turner and Pride in Prisons and Probation (PiPP) staff network for all the great work they do every day to raise awareness and support staff. Hear more from Nic and how you can get involved with PiPP on the HMPPS Intranet.

Just to remind you that Probation Day 2022 is approaching with this year’s theme being Belonging. I know there are lots of plans underway across regions to celebrate our second Probation Day and I hope you will be able to take part in some way. We will also be holding a national event on Friday 19 August at 10.00am so please keep an eye out for more information on this.

Finally, Eid Mubarak to those celebrating Eid-ul Adha this weekend.

As always, thank you for all you are doing.

Amy