About Us
What We Do

The Probation Association is the national employers' organisation for the 35 probation trusts in England and Wales. The Probation Board for Northern Ireland and the National Approved Premises Association are co-opted members. We are a private limited company funded through subscription from our members.

Our strategic aims are to:

• Fulfil our function as the national employers' organisation
• Ensure the continuance of local governance in the management and treatment of offenders
• Achieve an appropriate balance and partnership between central and local interests and secure acknowledgement of the powers and duties of each
• Raise awareness of and increase confidence in the role and achievements of probation
• Enable the exchange of information and provision of advice and services to trusts

A fundamental part of our role is to:

• Undertake national collective bargaining with the recognised trade unions on the terms and conditions of employment for the 22,000 members of staff in the probation service
• Represent the interests of trusts to the government and civil service
• Sit on strategic boards and working groups within the Ministry of Justice, enabling us to reflect the views of our members back to the centre and make representations on their behalf
• Provide advice and guidance to trusts on topics such as compliance with employment legislation; best employer practice; and general governance (i.e. providing oversight of local policy and strategy, setting a direction of travel and holding the chief executive or chief officer and staff to account)

The Association has developed effective working relations with the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) and a formal partnership protocol exists between the two organisations providing a framework for continued constructive engagement.

How we are organised

The Probation Association Council consists of the chair of each probation trust and co-opted members and meets two or three times per year, in addition to the Annual General Meeting. The Council is responsible for  making recommendations to the board on policy and strategy. It also appoints the chair of the Board of Directors who also chairs the Council. The chair serves for a maximum period of three years.

The Board of Directors consists of one member of the Council from each region in England, from London and from Wales.

In addition to its responsibilities under the Companies Act, the board is responsible for co-ordinating and reviewing the work of the Association; identifying objectives and priorities and allocating action to working groups and/or staff as appropriate, bearing in mind the resources available to it and any financial consequences of proposals both to the Probation Association and to local probation trusts. The board also promotes the implementation of Association policies; monitors and reviews policies and performance; and acts, by delegated authority, on behalf of the Association in approving position statements and in negotiating with other organisations.

The board meets approximately eight times a year.