Conditions of Service
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Please note Conditions of Service are nationally negotiated,
but local variations may apply.These Conditions of Service
are currently under review
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This sets out the terms and conditions of employment for Trainee
Probation Officers who are employees of Probation Boards and are
appointed to undertake a period of training leading to the award
of a Diploma in Probation Studies. The period for which a trainee
will be contracted will be the necessary length of the training
programme.
Salaries
The salaries for Trainee Probation Officers are on a range from
£17,191 - £18,406
The salaries for the main grade Probation Officers start at £26,229.
There is a pay spine covering more senior Probation Officer grades.
Hours of Work and Leave
The normal working week for trainee probation officers is 37 hours.
Where trainees are required to undertake work-based training activities
beyond the normal working week, compensatory time off in lieu will
be given. Trainees are not eligible for any additional payments
or allowances for training activities undertaken outside normal
office hours.
Trainees are entitled to a minimum of 26 days annual leave a year
with annual increments of 1 day per year to maximum of 31 days after
five years rising to 32 days after seven years (local authority
continuous service applies), plus 8 public holidays.
Please Note: Trainees are not normally permitted to take leave
where this would coincide with a period of formal teaching.
Expenses
The employing local Probation Board will meet the full and necessary
costs associated with a trainee's course of study. This will include
full registration, tuition and examination fees, as well as any
other authorised learning resources. Additional expenses incurred
in the course of work-based learning will be reimbursed in accordance
with travel and subsistence guidelines. Boards should agree with
trainees a nominal base for the purpose of calculating these expenses.
Pensions
Trainees may participate in local authority superannuation schemes.
Details of the schemes applying to any Probation Area can be obtained
from the Probation Board.
Sickness and Maternity Provisions
Trainees are entitled to receive sickness pay and maternity leave
in accordance with the provisions of the National Negotiating Council's
sickness and maternity schemes. In cases of maternity leave or prolonged
sickness absences the Trainee may be offered the opportunity to
extend the two year period to complete their training.
Training
The employing Board has a responsibility to ensure that trainees
are given appropriate experience in the workplace and adequate time
for study to enable them to achieve their qualification within the
agreed timescale.
Place of Work
In addition to attending an agreed place of study, trainees may
be expected to undertake training activities at or from any of the
offices and establishments within the employing Board's area and
where reasonable, to attend a location arranged by the relevant
Board in order to gain necessary experience.
Grievance and Discipline
Trainees will be subject to the terms of the employing Board's grievance
and discipline procedures. Where a trainee withdraws from a course
of studies, or is withdrawn in line with relevant procedures, the
training contract between the trainee and the Board will be terminated.
If appropriate, however, efforts will be made to find other employment
within the Probation Area, which the individual is suited to undertake.
Completion of Training
On successful completion of training, the employing Board will make
every effort to provide suitable employment for newly qualified
trainees within the Board area, although no guarantee of employment
can be given. In the absence of suitable employment, Boards will
consult with, assist and encourage trainees in seeking employment
elsewhere within the Consortium area or in the wider National Probation
Service
A trainee will be expected to accept an offer of suitable employment
made by the employing Board on successful completion of training.
In the absence of suitable employment within the employing Board
area, the trainee shall be expected to accept a reasonable offer
of employment with any of the Boards within the relevant Consortium
area, or in the wider National Probation Service.
Where a trainee takes up a post outside the Probation Area of her
or his own volition within two years of completion of training,
repayment of the cost of training (excluding salary) may be requested.
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