VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Department for Education: Conditions of Employment

Asked by Neil O'BrienConservativeDepartment for EducationTabled Answered 17 November 2025UIN 90326

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many staff in her Department had their probationary period extended in the last 12 months.

Answered by Olivia Bailey

The department’s probation policy and guidance advises managers on the steps to take to assess a new employee’s suitability for the post and provides support to enable them to succeed. It also advises on the steps to take where performance, attendance or conduct are not satisfactory. This can include exiting the employee or extending their probation to provide further evidence for a final decision on their suitability.

The department does not hold complete information on probation outcomes centrally and it could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim