Blue Sky Thinking

In my presently depressed state of mind about the future of probation, I came across a reference to an organisation I've never heard of before called Blue Sky. They are a social enterprise company set up a few years ago basically to give real employment to offenders in the field of landscape maintenance. An excellent idea of course and a real boon for any hard pressed probation officer where they operate trying to get work for their clients in these straightened times.

Of course we've known for years the blindingly obvious fact that provision of employment can have a dramatic effect on a persons likelihood of reoffending. Given this and the coalition governments stated intention of contracting out state-funded services, I suppose it's not really that surprising that they are apparently one of David Camerons favourite charities and no doubt set to prosper as a result. I don't wish in any way to be churlish, but I find I can't help but reflect on certain ironies of the situation. Firstly that Blue Sky have benefitted significantly from money provided by the New Jobs Fund which of course is being scrapped by the new government who have consistently described it as 'inefficient and not cost-effective'. 

Secondly, that for every Blue Sky employee taken on to provide landscape services to a local authority, one full time pensionable employee will lose their job. Now I don't have a particular problem with such a policy, intended as it is to reduce costs, because at least offenders get a chance to do the work as opposed to the likes of Mitie or Capita. But we all need to understand what's happening and that it won't really save public money at all, but rather just shift it around under another heading like Redundancy Payments, Job Seekers Allowance, Family Tax Credits etc. etc. 

I notice that Blue Sky is one of 18 partner agencies involved in the London Probation Trusts PIANO initiative costing a staggering £7.2million over just short of two years. Despite the somewhat naff title, Providing Innovative And New Opportunities nevertheless is undoubtedly part of the way forward in trying to reduce reoffending rates. I just hope the government realises that it can't come cheap.