Thursday 10 April 2014

More Haste - Less Speed?

We're now well into TR 'mobilisation' mode and the word is things aren't going too well at all. In fact these exchanges over on the Napo forum would appear to indicate serious problems:-

The CEO of a northern Trust today gave indication he had received communication from the Gray-Lag Goose and his pals that things are slowing down, that we might be looking at further delays to the final staff/case-load split beyond 01 Jun 14. Have any of you more established spies got any other intel on this possible happy event?


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I heard this too, but can't remember where. But he would have to rescind the notice to Trusts etc, so would, I imagine, be hugely costly and effective u-turn, in my view.

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The way I'm hearing it, the Service is rapidly moving towards meltdown. I hear Chief Execs openly using this term. Napo is receiving a stream of evidence from members to this effect as we understand it. Trusts are already writing to their own staff saying that 'business as usual' is effectively suspended - and we are only one week into the 'mobilisation' of this grand new plan. The new operating models have more holes in them than a colander. The damage sustained so far is extensive and it will get worse as we move towards June 1st. I see no evidence of any slow-down in the plan. Quite the reverse. It seems someone has put a rocket under civil servants in NOMS and the pace has quickened. Nobody knows which way is up any more.

If there is any sign of common sense prevailing, I'll let you know, but don't hold your breath. Congratulations Mr Grayling, you are effectively destroying (have destroyed?) what until recently was a world renowned public service.

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My understanding is that it is full speed ahead for the TR headline changes but the period of forced 'cooperation' between CRCs and NPS (i.e. the bit where neither silo does what it was set up to do but continues to do what needs to be done to maintain the illusion that any of this is remotely credible) is going to be extended to at least 9 months after share sale.

So, in short, the bidders are to put together a bid that will require it to manage a transition during which it does things that it will not be required to do when the transition is complete but also has to not do things that it will have to later on when the NPS stops doing them.

You know this is all so obviously falling apart that I'm beginning to wonder if there isn't an element of the MoJ civil servants beginning to exact some revenge on their minister for the way he treats them, and in particular the humiliation over the Serco and G4S tagging scandal. You remember, the day he bawled them out before marching off to give that amazing statement in the House of Commons about 'tagging the dead'. 

There was reportedly 'tears in the toilets' and at the time I thought it was a very unwise move on the part of a minister who effectively has to rely on loyal civil servants watching his back and protecting him when the shit hits the fan. Well, they're mostly bright intelligent people and can see a shit idea when it's presented to them. Maybe they've not only long given up trying to talk some sense into their bullying minister, but decided a better wheeze is just do as ordered and supercharge the whole bloody TR omnishambles so it all implodes that much faster on their psychopathic minister's head. Scary, but possible?   

PS There's just time to get a question in for a webchat scheduled for 24th April and the man himself might just be present:-

Web Chat for Probation Staff on 24 April 2-3pm

I am very pleased to let you know that Mark Read and I will be hosting a web chat for probation staff in England and Wales on 24 April.

This is the first time we’ve run an event like this and I’m pleased it will provide further opportunity for us to answer the key questions that staff have as we press ahead in this time of significant change.

I realise that at this time many staff will be busy, which is why arrangements have been made to provide opportunity to submit questions beforehand and for the transcript to be published after the event.

I would be grateful if you could make arrangements to notify staff of this event – a draft intranet article is attached for use as you see fit.

As this is the first time we will have run a web chat like this across the OMNI network, we plan to evaluate for any technical issues. If the event proves a success, I plan to run further web chats with staff and I know that the Secretary of State is also keen to continue to engage with staff.

Staff can submit questions in advance of the web chat using this link: www.surveymonkey.com/s/QQDSG8B

The closing date for questions is 6pm on Friday April 11th..

A link for the web chat itself will be published on EPIC in advance of the event. For technical reasons, the web chat will only be accessible using a Firefox browser. It will not work with Internet Explorer.

Colin Allars

Director of Probation

PPS I liked this seen on facebook:-

Just thought I'd send a message. I am really proud of colleagues in the XXXXX office. When faced with very short notice that potential "bidders" were coming to view the premises. They rallied together and as the bidders walked in, the majority of staff walked out. Initial response from the bidders was one of shock as this had apparently been the first instance of anything like this happening. Time to send the message. We are nobody's door mat and we will not stand back and be walked over. Hope you are able to share this.

15 comments:

  1. If only the people of Troy had snubbed the Greek's Trojan Horse. I think the reaction in that office where staff got together and snubbed the carpetbaggers was an inspired act. Pity we did not snub the probation institute. Apart from demonstrating solidarity which always disturbs the conventions of the hierarchy, a snub sends a powerful message of rejection, a refusal to be manipulated yet again.

    I think the same about the proposed Web Chat – it's for them, not us and they will sift questions and spin to their heart's content. They are desperate to play happy families and to help everyone find their inner samurai and become champions in Grayling's brave new world. A boycott would be more eloquent than helping to legitimise TR. We should reject all their Trojan Horses.

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    1. Maybe - I was curious the other day to see Harry Fletcher inviting folk to let him have questions for MOJ to which the answer is no - I gave him a couple of questions but not entirely sure what the object is.

      I do know that in Parliament, MPs who are trying to make a political point, never ask a question of a Member of the Government, to which they do not already know the answer!

      "@hfletcher10 Apr 5

      #Probationselloff Need questions for MOJ where answer is no ! e.g. Is there a protocol twixt Police and CRCs for sharing sensitive data?DM"

      https://twitter.com/hfletcher10/status/452482210067927040

      He got very few suggestions - maybe it is not too late for more?

      I note - in line with this blog piece from JB a couple of days ago, Harry Fletcher also Tweeted: -

      "Harry Fletcher ‏@hfletcher10 Apr 8

      #Probationselloff Number of bidders falling,number of major organisational problems increasing,number of questions from MPs higher than ever"

      https://twitter.com/hfletcher10/status/453605393709932545

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  2. Firstly, congratulations to all those who walked out. I would encourage the same response office wide should any bidders come round.

    There appears to be no shortage of managers who are currently running round like headless chickens, and it's likely that mistakes will be made. People need to register grievances at every opportunity; time spent on a grievance means less time spent on TR.

    When people are given additional cases, they need to ask for their workload to be examined. If they feel it is excessive, SAY SO!!! And in writing. Again time spent dealing with this is less time to spend on imposing TR.

    If people have to move offices, raise a grievance. Again this diverts resources. Lets make the whole things as difficult and unpleasant as possible, however, managers are not your enemy!! They are simply 'following orders'.

    Your ACE and the SMT are the ones behind this, so far removed from the dirty work that not only do they think their hand are clean, but their shit don't stink and you as a person are nothing more than a number on an Excel sheet!

    Remember this!

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  3. Interesting info has recently appeared on "what do they know" site - foi response about use of 07 act to dismantle probation service. Sorry, not able to cut and paste at the present.

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    1. Does Anon at 19.24 mean this response that featured as a comment yesterday here: -

      http://probationmatters.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/omnishambles-update-45.html?showComment=1397064775241#c2893142112180516823

      Here is the URL of the What do they now website where it features: -

      https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/how_much_has_been_spent_by_the_m#incoming-503596

      there maybe others there as well.

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    2. It was titled "dismantling the probation service" or similar - i'll try to organise cut and paste if the q&a later today.

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  4. I understand that at least one eager-to-please north east trust has now hit the buffers after complying so successfully with the staff split that it now has insufficient CRC staff to manage the CRC cases. Same amount of staff, same amount of cases but can't do the work anymore. How can this be after all that boodle spent on MoJ consultants?

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    1. Just wait until later this year when they have the >12 months on their books! Caseloads of 80 will be common and I can see many staff going off sick. Cannot say I blame them and I have no problems getting my own sick note when this occurs.

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    2. It's not DTV by any chance? Many would say that they need to introduce their arse to their elbow; I couldn't possibly comment.

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  5. Staff who walked out was a fantastic course of action taken. Gosh if only we had more ppl like that.

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  6. Did anyone else pick up on the fact that G4S are now able to bid for Government contracts again.... How long before Grayling invites them to tender?? How long before Serco are also back in the fold ?

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    1. ... and I wonder just how much pressure the Serious Fraud Office are under to conclude their investigation. After all, both G4S and Serco's internal investigations have found no deliberate intention to defraud. Surely that's alright then? TR needs G4S and Serco. Always has. They will be primes before long, I have no doubt.

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  7. Interesting development just discussed on BBC 1's "This Week". Apparently whistle blowers are now fully protected as long as they disclose their concerns directly to their MP (apparently they will be covered under parliamentary privlidge). Therefore, it might be a good idea if probation staff disclose concerns relating to risks (which I am sure are many) regarding this rushed omnishambles to their local MP who is now compelled to address such concerns from constituents. A very interesting development I think.

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  8. Hi Jim, couldn't sleep because of the amount of work I have. Stuff just going through my head work related. I'm struging with my current workload, not to mention the expected changes which are due under TR and worrying about how will I manage to deal with the extra work. It's a difficult time for staff who feel alone and vulnerable. Unions seem to be running around like 'headless chickens' not knowing what to do. Management digging their heads in the sand and telling staff "just do it, I don't know how but do it". Staff colleagues are ripping their hair out trying to keep up with the constant emails coming through 'do this, do that, we need this done, we need that done by'. It's a nightmare & I cannt flippin sleep.
    One of the annoying emails was from our new CEO's introducing themselves, with smiley photo's in a glossy, well polished, colourful brochure attached to an email. i just thought to myself are these ppl for real. Do they live in the same world as me. Have they any idea what staff are going through. I guess they don't because if they did they wouldn't send it out. Then again, I guess that's the easy way out blaming the CEO's.
    I find myself trying to trick my mind to 'say carry on, it will be ok. You will come through it'. But I worry that I'm not going to make it through because the expectations are just so unreal. When you wake up in the middle of the night worrying about work, cannt sleep, trying your best to make sure that the person you serve is not impacted on and receives a quality service; it's flippin hard work.
    Reading Jim's blog about a probation officer Anonymous10 April 2014 18:19 made me feel really sad about the situation staff find themselves in. There were some helpful comments in response but very little practical support offered - 'you are struggling, we know that, but try this and do that'. Things the person had already considered doing. The point was missed. The writer was asking for action but instead received suggestions. Im sure the cooments were well intended but I couldn't help notice how detached we have become from realising each other's needs. At these times ppl need others to rally behind them and join forces instead our compassion & care for one another might have been impacted on.
    I'm going to try & get some sleep again, and think about nice things. I've got work tomarrow!!!
    Anarchistpo

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  9. IS ANYONE LISTENING???? WE ARE NOT COPING, WE ARE BEING DESTROYED AND THIS WILL NOT WORK.
    I call upon everyone who reads this who is employed in a probation role to see their MPs in person NOW to express specific concerns about precisely what is happening in each area as they try to roll this out but it must be done as the chaos unfolds. Not to voice objections to TR in principle, they can dismiss that easily because the bill has been passed. Please take concerns about YOUR situation and the HARM that will occur in the communities they represent because this is NOT SAFE and say WHY.For example a brilliant team disbanded, the new IOMS muddle, sex offender specialist teams being destroyed, how the split was done with lack of cover in some areas as a result, CRC uncertainty, the list is extensive now.
    Make each MP responsible NOW because if they have the knowledge and do nothing they are culpable. Let's tell them the truth about where we are NOW as this unravels. Middle managers must be terrified about having to try to make this work because they have so little information and really it is practice developing on the back of a fag packet as Jim writes on this blog. Managers must speak out.
    The concerns are becoming real now, not some reaction by public sector staff moaning, but UNSAFE SYSTEMS and destruction of a system that worked being replaced with what ?????
    THIS IS GRAYLING'S FAULT let's make the MPs culpable too by providing the knowledge to them because they deserve to own this. Use your union reps to come with you if you need to, they will be happy to do this.
    Sad PO

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