Monday 2 December 2013

Latest From Napo HQ 4

This is the latest advice received today by e-mail from Napo HQ and relates to the 'work-to-rule'

Dear Member

After the strike of 5th and 6th of November, the next part of our trade dispute is “working to contract”.  We acknowledge that this is really hard to pin down in a service like ours because probation work is messy and complex at the best of times. 

So why are we doing it?  First and foremost, to keep the trade dispute open.  More specific actions (short of strike action) will be announced as Transforming Rehabilitation unfolds but we can’t be specific about that until it happens.  Second, because we all know that probation is under-staffed and under-resourced and that our goodwill often fills the gaps. Working to contract is a way of highlighting this and demonstrating what is at risk as we start to withdraw that good will.


We recognise that manager members are in a unique and difficult position as they cope with managing staff working to rule and trying to do this themselves.  We have been asked for additional guidance and we hope the advice below is helpful.


The first thing to remember for all members is that we are on the same side - working to rule shouldn’t necessarily mean giving another Napo member a headache.  Whenever possible, members in the line management relationship should collaborate and agree what work will not be completed.  We want to avoid members feeling ambushed in any way.  Ensure that you keep your own manager informed of the industrial action.

If your staff send you an email stating that they are working to rule and need help to prioritise, we suggest agreeing to discuss this in supervision and prioritise public safety and staff supervision.  Enable staff to take TOIL whenever (because of public safety issues) they have had to work over their usual hours.  By staff taking TOIL there may be a knock-on effect on allocation of court reports, attendance at training, delivery of programmes, sending apologies for meetings etc.  Some work will have to be cancelled.  However, a major thrust of our campaign is the risk to public safety so risk management should be prioritised.

If you receive a grievance, remember that although this may come to you as the line manager it is not aimed at you.  Acknowledge it and pass it up the line management chain or to HR (depending on the provisions in your own local policy).  Make sure you submit your own grievance too- this is part of collective action and provides you with vital legal protection.

It’s probably not a good idea for Napo HQ to issue specific “directions” in relations to working to contract because every office works differently- what may work in one area won’t work in another.  There will have to be a lot of individual choices.  However, what follows are some suggestions for the staff you manage and for your own work:


You could advise that staff keep strictly to the Practice Framework (often referred to as New National Standards) rather than do over and above in terms of OASys or other assessments.  For example, a change in circumstances does not necessarily need a new OASys although it is acknowledged good practice.  Instead, the practitioner should note the change and take any needed action.  The same goes for reporting requirements.  Enabling staff to take TOIL will expose gaps in understaffing - Court reports may have to be returned to Court and meetings may not be attended.

If staff are over-allocated cases (if a workload tool exists in your area) then formally write to your own line manager and ask for a response from the Chief Executive and ask that your concerns are escalated to NOMS.  Managers acting together in this way will be effective. 

If you are carrying vacancies in your office it will increase stress as others carry the burden of work.  If there is no budget for cover, fill out an Accident and Incident form and use existing processes to highlight the issues.  This is a worthwhile exercise as it provides good evidence which we may later rely on.  Push all responsibilities up the line management chain to the very top. 

Manager members do many different jobs and therefore we can’t give a comprehensive list of what you should not do.  However, the same principles for those you manage should apply.  Whichever management grade you occupy, you will have your own line manager and we advise that you work collaboratively, where possible; work your proper hours, take TOIL and agree what you don’t do.  Remember that if you are under any pressure not to follow the industrial action, then you should seek advice and support from Napo.


We recommend that you prioritise public safety and staff supervision.  You may need to discuss with your manager which meetings to prioritise.  This will inevitably involve not attending some meetings.  It is not an exact science but if you follow the guidance of escalating all problems upwards and being ready for the next steps of industrial action, you are playing a really important part in the campaign.

Above all, remember that this type of action is never perfect in the service we deliver.  The action short of strike action will accelerate as we concentrate on protecting the public and not putting this at risk by getting distracted by TR.  The message will be to the MoJ: “If you want to inject chaos and fragmentation into the Probation Service, we are not going to do it for you.”

Best wishes

Tom Rendon                      Ian Lawrence
NATIONAL CHAIR             GENERAL SECRETARY

16 comments:

  1. Thanks for the latest from Napo HQ post. As mentioned previously, I don’t agree with NAPO about not being intimidated, because I am, but I do agree with all other data. So under intimidation, I'm working to rule and I’ll be responding to my HR letter, when I get it, with a grievance, while looking for another job, and waiting to have my vote, and voice heard, at the next general election.

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  2. For information only, Sue Hall, WYPT has jumped ship. She has announced today she will NOT be accepting the CRC post and will instead be retiring !

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    1. Yes I heard this earlier - she is an honourable and much respected Chief who must feel bitterly disappointed that her career has ended this way. More in tomorrows post.

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  3. Napo is promoting individual grievances to keep the trade dispute open. Fair enough: you need to keep to legal requirements. Future-wise there will be 'more specific actions' which will be announced later. I think this is pure rhetoric: there will be no future actions and there definitely will be no further strikes. There are no more strings in the bow! Napo is powerless. Yes, I know, I am a complete cynic, a defeatist. I would argue the point on cynicism, but I would accept wholeheartedly the defeatist label. I have not read the Art of War, but I know what a rout looks like. Goliath has won. I wish it were otherwise. I think highlighting the failings and flaws of the like of G4S, Serco and the other vultures is a public service – and that will hopefully go on. But probation as we know it is dead in the water.

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    1. Goliath may have won, but some are choosing to follow NAPO. I do agree with you in "highlighting the failings and flaws of the like of G4S, Serco and..." Goliath, and will continue to have my say by: keeping to legal
      requirments; keeping trade dispute open: and keeping alive any rhetoric to this end. Goliath is either right or wrong and we are not not dead until we dont say anything.

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  4. they have announced directors today.

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    1. CEO of South Yorks has been appointed as Deputy Director of NPS NE

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    2. Linda marginson , New to the role of CEO for SY but has made an impact early doors,

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    3. Linda Marginson, is my area's CEO, I can only say that she has made a positive impact on me. I sincerely wish her well for the future and I am thankful for her input within Probation (and for the output of Probation in general).

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  5. Are prisons bleeding us dry?

    If you want to read more:

    http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/12/01/are-prisons-bleeding-us-dry.html

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  6. I hope this man's stand is given the publicity due. I thank him for his input into Probation work, and for Probation work in general.

    http://www.colchesterlabour.com/uploads/faf0f941-7f89-5e54-495e-fd585c411b12.pdf

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  7. Warks and Worcs CRC Chief announced as the current Warickshire Chief.

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  8. City pay explosion leaves London with 2,700 bankers earning more than a million

    http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/city-pay-explosion-leaves-london-with-2700-bankers-earning-more-than-a-million-8972722.html

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  9. Just listened to the latest contributor to TR on Russell Webster's site . . .Christine Lawrie, ex probation chief describes herself as working freelance for the last 2 years "in and around Probation". 'Interserve' own website includes her on their criminal justice staff as being "retained".

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    1. I started watching, but was utterly under-whelmed. Now I know why. Thanks.

      Jim

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