Readers should note that such is the demoralising nature of the ongoing TR omnishambles, probation staff of all grades have been increasingly resorting to swearing and alcohol in order to get through the working week. As a result, this blog is experiencing unprecedented levels of foul language contained within comments and therefore readers of a sensitive disposition are advised not to proceed if this is likely to cause offence.
Delius HQ & local it managers continue to tell us all is okay, that there are "workarounds" for problems. Documents still disappear at random, cases have been lost, historical data ain't there. The lies and the spin are everywhere. How can a system that was NEVER 'fit for purpose' be okay? How can two of the most cumbersome pieces of cobbled-together software EVER be described as 'fit for purpose'?
If you wanted to make shitloads of cash, stick a handful of existing programmes together with parcel tape and sticky-back plastic then give it a funny name and pretend you wrote it especially for your client. Want to write a report? How about you create a template OUTSIDE the designer software, then require that document to be 'downloaded' from your bespoke system every time its looked at, or edited, or printed, then 'uploaded' back into your fancy creation again. Oh, but it seems to have disappeared... And don't forget that all the hardware is leased and can only be touched by your engineers at £££outrageous rates.
Then there's the tricky issue of estates management and the contracts with uber-expensive maintenance companies, e.g. 200 mile round trips to change a light bulb.
Bidder beware!!
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Anyone know how much Sterile charge Noms for their services to probation each year?
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From experience, any request to them normally takes about 5 days to resolve :) It took me two weeks to have the local college website unblocked. I just took my clients to the local library and looked there. I have vision of the 'helpline' being just one guy, in his bedroom, laughing like a sink at the thought of the profit he is making. Hopefully he'll spend some of it upgrading his ZX Spectrum!
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So let me get this right.. First we are shafted by the staff split, then shafted with office moves, then shafted with brand new cases, shafted with new (and shit) computer systems, shafted by trying, against all hope, to make it work, missing lunch, working late, early, backwards, forwards and sideways. And to put a fucking cherry on top of it, they go and hire someone else less qualified, on more money, and you have to fucking train them??
FUCK THE FUCK RIGHT OFF!!
Stick your fucking targets right up you MoJ/NOMS/NOS/CRC aresehole because this daft fucker has had just about enough!! I cannot believe the sheer gall, it's fucking breathtaking!! I'll tell you something right now, I'll not rest until this whole fucking debacle is all over the newspapers like a fucking pissing puppy!!
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Well put, I share your frustration, for the first time in my career which is a very long one I want to cry. I am no longer a probation officer but hold the qualification and can do the job they are farming out to less qualified and more expensive staff. Demoralisation does not even come into it. BASTARDS. The papers do need to know of these troubles, delirious has brought me to my knees, and then today seen the new recall paperwork, PO's being treated like PSO's having to have our work ticked off by NPS staff. Fuck them.
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Extremely well explained mirroring my feelings. I wish we can stop all this.
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This perpetual myth that NPS are supervising the most dangerous. In Sunderland echo one so called medium risk offender kills another medium risk offender, this is what private sector is getting into, it's not easy, it's not predictable and, it's not profitable. Don't listen to Grayling the man hasn't a clue potential bidders at all levels walk away now.
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Shared Services - more like 'Shared Disaster'. Staff data under the hierarchy lists is incorrect. PO's graded as SPO's and numerous staff shown as being located in the wrong county - not even in their own NPS region. Shared Services suggest Probation Trusts may have sent in the incorrect data as opposed to them inputting it wrong! Please!! Trusts kinda know their staff based in Newcastle are not working in a London office!! Apparently incorrect grading will impact on wages!
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Have also heard that PbR no longer on the agenda nor the under 12 month custody. Bidders beware, lots of areas have the same information. Probation has been involved in a set up, the whole intention was to privatise the service for financial reasons, nothing about reducing offending or better service for clients. On the shop floor this is not working, I would like to see Chris Grayling stand up in front of a National Probation/Prison Service and tell us what is working, I think he would want the floor to swallow him up because we could then all tell him the truth. In fact I wish he could be swallowed up into a hole the stupid ignorant twat, and the even more ignorant stupid twat who gave him the job in the first place. OMG public safety in the hands of stupid twats !!!!!!!!!
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I'm confused re the NPS PO chaperoning CRC PO to Oral Hearings....given the Parom 1 will include the Risk Management Plan from Oasys..who did that? I did hear some CRC colleagues reluctantly jump with joy, when they learned they would not be doing Oasys anymore.
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Even NPS staff would jump with joy if they did not have to do Oasys, it was just probably an initial reaction to a tool that we all find useless and time consuming. Also if we were given the choice of whether we did it or not would be quite different to it being imposed on us under the pretext that we are not capable of managing risk and making assessments when we were doing it before 1/6/204.
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I'm raw and sore from the shafting by Grayling & co. Reaching a point where some kind of spectacular disruption is called for. General Strike, anyone?
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Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Strike, Strike, Strike. But I thought we have already had a spectacular disruption called NDELIUS, I don't think that we could mange that sort of an upheaval with a mass walk out as Grayling seems to have done by a press of a button.
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Noticed last week that one case's address was lost over the weekend of changes. Noticed today that another case's address also lost from ndelius too. Both cases were updated in the last 12 months with new addresses. How many others out there noticed the same issue?
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One noticed in London I think and one in NPS at our office too so it's not just me. I'm wondering if it is just new addresses inputted in the last 12 months. Will check the rest of my caseload later this week.
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Latest: CRC's can't transfer cases to other CRC's! Cases have to be transferred to NPS first!
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This will no doubt then get hopelessly confused with the rule about NPS having to retain any case transferred from CRC
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Just had weirdest dream: Probation was being privatised + split in two + the unions joined up with the bosses to form an institute to help!
I have to say, I do try to remain positive and those who know who I am - know this - I can be annoyingly happy. Yesterday's comments on the blog made me laugh - the "pissing puppy" analogy - such wit; but I also have to acknowledge that I am losing my own battle, to remain upbeat and focused on the clients. I feel so useless, I'm pleased to have the next 2 weeks off, to immerse myself in the beautiful game (Footi not tennis) and switch off from the inane nonsense that is TR. Somebody put it really well in saying NDelius has caused more disruption than a strike ever would, but of course a strike is time limited, you know when the pain and inner conflict will end. As for the bad language - coming from an area of the UK where a "Boo" just won't do and is deemed much more effective if you say "FUCKING Boo" it warms my heart. Sad though, that so many colleagues are really feeling so low.
ReplyDelete30 years in, that comment was by me, I am also 30 years in and can't face going to work. Mind and body saying don't do it, its destructive. Can't find a place to hide to get away from it, they've got us which ever way we look at it. Don't know what I am supposed to do anymore, I have not transferred one case, just keep holding onto them in the hope that they will merge us back. Also clients don't want to be transferred to someone else, its all a "fucking big conflict". Close to tears.
DeleteReally sorry to hear this - I sometimes think us oldies survive as we have an inner resilience - we've seen it all before - remember 5 year plans and all that shite? I get you, when you just hope someone (CG, Gov) will wake up - but as is becoming so very clear, they have no idea what we do, the intricacies of it all - the years it has taken to oil that wonderful machine - which they are now destroying and really don't care. It sounds to me like you need to book some time off for you - get all your cases in the community on the phone and give them a free pass for the next fortnight - write to all those in custody - who don't quite know what has hit them, and reassure them your still in their lives, and opt out for a while - some might suggest this is dodging the bullet, but for me, you are more productive and worthwhile when the milestone has been removed from around your neck; albeit temporary. Grab a tissue and boldly go! If you do need to talk - and can't find the right person - contact JB and he'll pass on my details. Warm wishes!
DeleteIn our area an NPS manager went around asking staff about how they are coping and spoke about stress levels and if they think they may go off sick with stress!!! They know staff are struggling due to work load pressures (7 NPS OMs in a busy office to see clients, write reports etc) and no doubt if one person went off sick the whole house of cards would collapse. However, there are still some OMs working excessive hours to try to cope - why??
ReplyDeleteThe PSRs are coming in thick and fast (no report writing team) and I'm aware of the Court having been sent letters saying insufficient time to arrange prison interview and complete the PSR - impacting on the Court, the remanded prisoner and also adding costs to the tax payer.
Still, one manager said that 'help is on the way'. Wtf - we didn't need any help before the split!!!
I can't see the help coming from previous neighbouring trusts, which presumably means agency staff are going to be employed. I know it's been mentioned in previous posts, but what a kick in the teeth this will be for sifted staff, not to mentioned adding extra costs to the tax payer.
Are the select committee aware of all this extra cost or are they told a load of lies.
DeleteOff topic, but more evidence that indicates that Graylings a lunatic.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/chris-grayling-blasted-over-plans-for-victorianstyle-corporal-punishment-on-young-offenders-9523943.html
Only one word for that man TWAT.
DeleteChris Grayling’s plans to allow force to be used on children at new “secure colleges” for young offenders are illegal and must be changed immediately, an influential parliamentary committee warns today.
DeleteThe Joint Committee on Human Rights said proposals in the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill to allow authorised staff to use “reasonable force where necessary to ensure good order and discipline” was a clear breach of international standards.
Earlier this week the Justice Secretary unveiled detailed plans for an £85 million secure young offender unit in Leicestershire, which will hold up to 320 inmates between the ages of 12 and 17. He said it would put “education at the heart of custody” and would move away from the traditional approach of “bars on windows” when it opens in 2017.
But staff would be subject to the same rules laid out in the Bill, prompting Labour to urging ministers to scrap the “Victorian-style” proposals. MP John McDonnell has compared the proposed Leicestershire facility with the notorious private jail HMP Oakwood in Staffordshire, claiming it would become an “Oakwood for children” and lead to riots and assaults.
In a report published today, the cross-party committee said the idea that officials could use physical force on children to keep order in young offender institutions was unacceptable under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
“In our view, it is clear… that it is incompatible with Articles 3 and 8 ECHR for any law, whether primary or secondary legislation, to authorise the use of force on children and young people for the purposes of good order and discipline,” the report said.
Committee chair Hywel Francis said the MPs were “disappointed” that the Government did not appear to have examined international standards on the rights of children before publishing its Bill.
“Perhaps as a result there are a number of issues relating to secure colleges in particular that need examination and amendment, including making clear that force cannot be used on children to secure ‘good order and discipline’,” he added.
Last night campaign groups welcomed the committee’s report and called on the Government to redraw the Bill so it did not sanction the use of force on children.
Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “MPs have recognised that allowing prison officers to restrain children violently, simply if they don’t follow orders, is illegal and will put lives at risk.
“It is symptomatic of the kind of institution that ministers are proposing – not a college with education at its heart, but a giant prison where human rights are infringed and physical violence becomes part of the rules.”
http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/judge-tells-coventry-prisoner-sue-7236362
ReplyDeleteA judge told a prisoner he should consider suing the “incompetent” probation service for unlawful imprisonment.
DeleteTrevor Watson was hauled before a judge at crown court accused of breaching a suspended sentence.
He had been kept in custody for a number of days waiting to be dealt with.
But the judge said he had been wrongly prosecuted and jailed and should see a lawyer.
He said it was a “disgrace”.
Watson, of Lady Lane Caravan Park, Longford, Coventry had been given the nine-month suspended sentence in December after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice.
He was then prosecuted by Coventry Probation Service for allegedly breaching the order by failing to attend two appointments.
Watson, aged 48, then failed to attend a hearing at Coventry Crown Court in May and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
He was arrested and kept in custody before appearing in front of Recorder Tim Raggatt QC at the crown court in Leamington.
The court heard that Watson had failed to attend unpaid work and a housing appointment - but as the housing appointment wasn’t part of the suspended sentence order it couldn’t be used to support breach proceedings.
When he found out Recorder Raggatt ordered that Watson be freed from custody immediately, saying: “He would be entitled to sue the probation service for unlawful imprisonment. It is outrageous.
“He must be released from custody without the slightest delay. He is in custody unlawfully on a warrant which should not have been issued because it was obtained on a false basis.”
Recorder Raggatt said that the matter should be referred to “the most senior officer” in Coventry Probation Service “as a matter of the utmost urgency”.
He added: “This is a disgrace. A man has been sent to the court as a result of the incompetence and negligence of the Coventry Probation Service.
“This gentleman is entitled to advice on whether he should sue for unlawful imprisonment.”
He discharged the summons issued against Watson stating “there are no breach proceedings”.
“I suggest you take legal advice about it,” Recorder Raggatt said. “You should not have found yourself subject to a bench warrant.
This is a result of pure incompetence by the probation service. You have been unlawfully in custody, and you may be entitled to significant damages.
“Outrageous is not too strong a word, this is a disgrace.”
A spokesman for Staffordshire and West Midlands Community Rehabilitation Company said: “We take Recorder Tim Raggatt QC’s comments very seriously, and are investigating this matter. “We are committed to providing an excellent level of service, by reducing re-offending to create safer communities.”
Staffordshire and West Midlands Probation is the second best probation area in the country at reducing re-offending.
It's going to happen more and more with the mess we're in. However, in this case probation can breach on one missed appointment but I guess the issue is they breached on two, one of which was not enforceable.
DeleteWith private companies given a free hand on how they deal with those they supervise, its enevitable that many clients will seek legal redress and compansation.
DeleteBut that wont bother Grayling much as any compansation wont be paid from the MoJs coffers, but by the private companies shareholders.
Mr Watson would no doubt have been remanded in custody due to failing to attend court rather than any alleged incompetence by the local probation service. Perhaps the local probation service should have pointed this out to the learned Recorder.
DeleteAnon at 14.59: I suppose you could rationalise it that way and argue that Watson has only has himself to blame for failing to attend court. But the fundamental issue is the illegality of the breach and subsequent arrest warrant. It was the probation incompetence/negligence that set things in motion, so I don't think probation can apportion any blame to Watson.
Deleteanon 1459again.Assuming there was a bench warrant issued that would have been issued by a Judge or Recorder and the probation service would have been represented by Counsel. If Mr Watson had sought representation he no doubt would have had the benefit of Counsel at his non appearance. We don't know what was or wasn't said then, if anything , about the technicalities of the breach.
DeleteI only commented because of the corporate drivel issued by the local P.R. dept.
the judge needs to get passionate about prison warrant sweeps - people coming to court from custody, released on bail or a SSO/CO but held for up to 4hrs whilst the prison does a warrant sweep on them. I cant believe this is not classed as unlawful imprisonment by the courts.
DeleteOasys down today, what a farce
ReplyDeleteIf the Probation worker gets hung out to dry by Coventry CRC NAPO should call a strike.
ReplyDeletepapa
Government have agreed to the purchase of three water cannon for London; what do they know that we don't? In the end it will Kick- off big ways.
ReplyDeletepapa
Just had an email about core hours, so insensitive when are being pulled from one direction to another and most staff work zillions of hours a week anyway. I have had enough FUCK PRIVATISATION AND CRC SHIT.
ReplyDeleteWhat core hours are they saying?
DeletePlease advise CRC offenders to take their supervision case to Court because of the privatisation omnishambles. I am aware of one case already that is proceeding through the Courts.
ReplyDeleteWhat we need now is a full blown probation revolution.
Wait and see there are plenty ppl who will be sueing. Lets see how probation leaders deal with this.
ReplyDeleteIt's a total shame the public appear to have no knowledge or interest in what's happening within all public services. The government are selling off everything including HMRC and the Land Registry to name just two. And in addition are getting rid of the armed services, hoping to replace thousands of them with reservists. The National Audit office are shouting caution upon the governments deaf ears. And hey ho, they too have shit IT systems just like us, but look at the cost to the public purse!!!! In years to come, all this is going to cost the tax payer billions to put right.
ReplyDelete"The NAO said management company Capita's role in the recruitment plans depended on the MoD providing the right IT system but it failed to deliver them in March last year. The Army is incurring increased operational costs of about £1m a month ahead of its expected launch in summer 2015."
I'd love to know how much this TR omnishambles is costing the tax payer in duplicated processes, staffing costs etc.
Can anyone help me please with this, I have contacted the Unions and also NOMS but no-one can really give me any answers yet. I have 10 years service behind me as a PSO, then Programme Facilitator, more recently (past 2 years)Treatment Manager - sex offender/dv programmes mainly. On 1st June, I, with many of my colleagues moved to CRC and was taken out of my sex offender duties as they are NPS so now only deal with DV and GOBP programmes (but they will pay me locum to deliver sex offender groups as they have no staff now)! I have applied for, and been offered a post with NOMS clinically auditing accredited programmes. I am keen to keep my continuity of service, mainly for the 33 days annual leave I've built up. The pay bands are different, and the starting salary is a few hundred pounds less but I'm trying to get to start on, as a minimum, my current salary. NOMS rung me today with 'it's not looking good'. I am, they tell me, the first person to be in this situation and they do not think I'll be able to keep my continuity of service. I was under the impression if I left before share sale I could move between CRC and NPS and keep continuity but NOMS are not NPS. . . .
ReplyDeleteSurely if they want people experienced in interventions, especially to audit them, they will be targeting people from NPS/CRC - who are not likely to leave if we will lose continuity of service. I am yet to accept the offer formally yet, I am waiting for answers from NOMS and the Unions are looking into this too.
I guess it's yet another aspect of this whole sad omnishambles - as you are the first I guess you will be the first to find out what the answer is and in the words of Noms 'it's not looking good'. Please keep us updated.
DeleteCheers,
Jim