Performance Review - potentially getting sacked

[surfmma]

Hi,
I have been in this new job for the last two months. It is a short-term contract (6 months). They knew my ability and still offered me the job (NHS). Now, every two weeks there are probation meetings, and the latest one was the 8-week probation meeting. My line manager told me I will be sent to a probation panel as my performance is not good enough (I don't believe that). There are two outcomes:

1. Extension of the probation period (currently 3 months)
2. Termination of the contract / dismissal

I'm worried that if I get dismissed, I won't be able to join another NHS trust, as NHS applications always check if the applicant has previously been dismissed.

Should I submit my resignation? Currently, I'm in a financial mess, but I can't take the chance of being dismissed. Anyone with ( probably NHS) HR experience please advice.

Thank you.

They knew my ability and still offered me the job (NHS)

What does this mean?

There were tests to measure my technical abilities during the interview. I thought I was doing poorly, but they still offered me the job. I thought I could learn and grow, but it seems pretty intense from the beginning

Is it an IT skills issue, because you might be able to improve that and show willing quite easily

So you squeezed in under the wire and are not performing adequately?
You're not in a medical setting, are you?

You're not in a medical setting, are you? oh thank you for your concern. That's really really supporting my current situation. No this is office work.
So you squeezed in under the wire and are not performing adequately?
and this is rather rude.

Can you ask for training? Really difficult to performance manage out of NHS so this won't be quick. If you urgently search and apply to other NHS positions you won't get a bad reference, people are too concerned about the fall out of you complain, but you may need to think how to explain your short employment at interview

It’s only a 6 month contract? With a 3 month probation? Not quite sure I understand the point of that? You’d be moving on after 6 months anyway?
You’re suggesting that they knew you weren’t quite skilled enough for the job but they’ve hired you anyway and then not given you the time or support to gain the skills?

Is it a lack of knowledge about the NHS software of Office or something else?

Someone might be able to help if you provide information.

Thank you. I really wanted to learn and develop during this six-month period. As it's a higher band, I thought it would give my CV an extra boost. I assumed an experienced person might be reluctant to take such a short contract. I was honest throughout the interview and tests. My application clearly indicated that I didn't have relevant experience, but I was pursuing a qualification related to the field. I never misled them or claimed to possess skills I don't have. However, the line manager wasn't present at the interview. A different manager, from a related field, and their senior manager conducted the interview and tests. I was told I performed better than the others (I now doubt if there were any others) and they offered me the job. I've improved a lot in the last six to seven weeks, but she is not happy.
I've applied for nearly a dozen jobs already. I have also spoken to the NHS bank for temporary work. The only issue is that even bank roles take at least a few weeks to process. I'm not sure if I have that much time.

Can you be more specific? Was it an HR job and you don't have the qualifications yet? Or a band five or six admin role? Does it need you to be assertive and you're just not?

What exactly is it that you need to learn, improve and develop?

There are ways you can make the performance meeting a productive and positive conversation, they rely on you being proactive.

So instead of showing up and having them say 'you are really bad at.....' and you saying 'yes I know, but you knew that when you hired me and you haven't trained me on.......'

you could say 'I would agree that ..... is an area of development for me, so I'm doing ........ in my personal time to improve my knowledge. I believe this will show over the next 4 weeks in my ability at work but would appreciate support in the form of ...... from you to consolidate and support my improvement.'

If you would tell us what the thing is that you are bad at we might be able to direct you to where you can find help,

“They knew my ability and still offered me the job (NHS)”

^Equally you accepted a job which you can’t competently do.

But she's in her probation period so it's really easy to dismiss people before this has passed. Also it's just a 6 month contract by the sounds of things

Probation is not only for the employer but the employee- it might not be the right role for you or you might just need a bit more training. Have you identified what you need to get to the standard expected? Before your meeting I’d come come up with some suggestions on where they can support you.
have they actually told you specifically where you are failing?
unfortunately being in probation and on a short Co tract they might not want to invest time and effort which is a shame if someone is willing to learn