"It is what it is"

I think it's always worth passing on details of what's going on in London and here's the upbeat message from the new management, followed by the latest from the indomitable Pat Waterman, Chair of Napo Greater London branch:-

Introducing ourselves: the London NPS and CRC leaders

From Sara Robinson, Deputy Director - London National Probation Service, and Nick Smart, Chief Executive of the London Community Rehabilitation Company 

Following our first brief message to you earlier this week, we wanted to introduce ourselves to you properly and also let you have a bit more information about our plans. 

Our biographies are available via the link below – as you can see, we both have a strong track record in probation and a passion for quality practice and enabling change.  We look forward to building on the excellent work and best practice already demonstrated by LPT staff. 

We are committed to working together to ensure that the transition to the National Probation Service and the London Community Rehabilitation Company is as smooth and safe as possible and we will be relying on your insight and knowledge to help achieve this.  Achieving this transition safely in London is a major challenge which has significance for Probation as a whole and it will be vital that we set up clear arrangements for how the two organisations will interact. 

Like you, we are concerned to make sure that we continue to provide excellent services to victims, courts and service users and that we maintain and develop partnerships with other agencies.  You are the experts on what you will need in order to carry out your jobs effectively in the new structures and we are keen to listen to your questions and suggestions.   

We will both be meeting ACOs and Heads of Departments as soon as possible to start this discussion and we will be building on the planning that is already under way in LPT, including the operational working groups involving frontline staff.  We want to hear your views on how to continue to develop good practice and we don't want to disrupt what's already working well. 

Click here for our biographies:   
S:\LondonSharedInformation\Londoni\Transforming Rehabilitation\Biographies

This is Pat Waterman's latest thinking on things:-

TO NAPO MEMBERS

There is nothing like an LPT Roadshow

Following the decision of the Probation Board last week to instruct the Chief Executive to begin arrangements for the closure of LPT and the creation of the NPS and CRC's, the Senior Management Team (SMT) held three roadshows today at which they sought to address your concerns and give you some ideas about your futures. 

I attended the first one this morning and heard various members of staff asking a number of questions which sadly our Chief Executive was unable to answer. The phrase she used several times which sticks in my mind is: 

“IT IS WHAT IT IS”. 

When Chris Grayling launched a consultation exercise at the beginning of the year LPT submitted evidence which pointed out the problems and pitfalls of “splitting” the service. At that point their views were not very different from ours. 

But now I find that they are seeking to encourage you to think positively about the benefits that will derive from splitting the service; the extent to which as a civil servant in the NPS other opportunities will be available to you and the scope for new and innovative ways of working in the private sector. 

What changed? 

Heather Munro was clearly discomforted by my asking her why, if both the NPS and CRC’s were going to offer such wonderful opportunities, she herself had declined to take advantage of them. Her response was that given her age she had decided to take advantage of the opportunity to take Voluntary Redundancy. 

Having witnessed the unedifying spectacle of seeing them try to defend the indefensible, I was allowed to address the staff group once SMT had left the room. In my view everyone had just been treated to an extended farewell from the Chief Executive and a promotional presentation on behalf of the Secretary of State and I took advantage of the opportunity to give staff some further information. I felt it was the least I could do. 

Having been told to temper the tone of my message I was allowed ten minutes to address the participants of the second roadshow of the day. This time what I had to say was, with my agreement I hasten to add, delivered in the presence of SMT. 

By the time the third roadshow came around a previous agreement that I could speak to people at the end had been reconsidered. It was now felt that what I had to say undermined the message that SMT were seeking to promulgate and it would be best if I did not attend. 

AND SO IT BEGINS 

I am aware that attendance at these roadshows is deemed to be mandatory and far be it for me to advise anyone to disobey a management instruction. 

BUT, in following the guidance on implementing NAPO’s  industrial action, you might wish to discuss with your line manager if going to one of these roadshows is the best use of your time and seek advice on what should be relinquished to enable you to attend.

I have already received correspondence from members on the content of the e-mails sent out by LPT introducing the Deputy Director (NPS) and Chief Executive (CRC) for London. The feeling I am getting from members is that they do not share the enthusiasm of Sara Robinson and Nick Smart. 

You will also have just received  a letter, via LPT e-mail, from the Secretary of State which Ian Lawrence, NAPO General Secretary, has referred to as:

“somewhat patronising and untrue........(and) merely the grim output of the MoJ public relations department”

His advice is to ignore it and that he will be responding to it formally. 

We are in a war of words. 

I am disappointed to be denied the opportunity to talk to LPT staff, many of whom are members of this branch, at today’s final roadshow. 

Heather Munro has, in my opinion, placed herself in what is clearly a personally uncomfortable position. That’s not my fault.

She may have given up but NAPO has not.

Pat Waterman
Branch Chair