A view from the small and medium charity sector
A missed opportunity
I work for a regional charity, but spent over 15 years working in Probation. Initially I thought TR would be an opportunity to bring the best of charities to work with the Probation Service. If I’m honest, I thought about 20% - 30% of the Probation Service would be put out to tender and we, charities, would bring in more than 20% - 30% of resources.
In 2010 the charity I work for had developed at no cost to the Probation Service a service for those serving less than 12 month, it worked brilliantly with the support of the local probation services and the police. There were lots of positive PR in the papers and praise from the people who were using the service. I thought TR would be the opportunity to develop this type of innovative service.
TR
We signed up for TR and I started going to meetings on next steps. However, as I attended these meetings I began to realise that some of the people involved in TR didn’t understand what they were selling.
Firstly, at these meetings about PbR, it seems that unless the Prime succeeds then Tier 2/3 don’t get paid. It felt like heads they win tails you lose. Primes stood a significantly better chance of getting paid than Tier 2/3s
PbR
|
Prime achieves target
Y
Y
N |
Prime Paid Y/N
Y
Y
N |
Tier 2/3 achieves target
Y
N Y |
Tier 2/3 Paid Y/N
Y
N N |
The more meetings I went to, the more depressing it became. I was truly shocked when I heard a former CPO of Probation criticise their old staff for lack of innovation and drive! Of course he was selling a bright new world for his new company. Caseloads of 100 clients and staff being paid circa £20k per annum were bandied about and how similar Probation was to Job Centres. When I heard about BIONIC I couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry.
I gave up on TR and thought this is going to be a disaster which is going to cost someone their life. We, as a charity, washed our hands of TR and left the process.
As someone who was heavily involved in the development of the Domestic Violence Perpetrators Programme in the Probation Service, I was shocked to hear about the split in the supervision of DV perpetrators and the potential costs to vulnerable women. This is not about money, this is about life and death.
The future
So, with private CRCs coming on line shortly, were does that leave the charity I work for and the small local charities? I suspect a significant number of the small charities will go to the wall. The criminal justice system will lose their experience, knowledge and generosity of spirit. The charity I work for will watch the CRC in action, but any ideas of working in partnership will be viewed with great suspicion.
Why would our well respected charity want to put its reputation at risk by becoming involved with multi-national companies who have no idea about the complexity or risk of the work they are taking on? How could we go to Trusts that currently fund our work and say “please give us some more money so we can work with this huge multi-national company so they can make a profit?” or give information on reporting of their clients to this charity to the CRC so they can claim their PbR bonus!
Finally
There is life after probation. I left probation a number of years ago, but spent 15 great years in probation. Looking around at the small and medium sized charities that are working in this sector and find the passion, commitment and dedication I found in my 15 years in probation. Look at social services and see someone that rates your great skills and abilities.
The most important thing for me is what will this charity do about ex-offenders. We will watch the CRCs fail and we will slowly build up a network of charities to work with ex-offenders. We will offer our services because this is what we do, not what we are paid for.
I also expect that at some point within the next ten years, after a number of tragic avoidable deaths, someone will say you know what we need? A national probation service and we will begin again.
Thank you for your post - and your integrity in walking away from TR.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed how Grayling's rhetoric continues to talk about 'over 1000' charities etc who gave 'expressed an interest' in being part of the supply chain - I wonder whether the fact that this figure has not changed since the CRCs were formed reflects a dramatic fall in this number, which is embarrassing to NOMS?
I agree a very helpful and yet sad account
DeleteI am desperately sad with an immense sense of personal failure at an runsuccesful campaign to stop TR long before now. I am glad Iam no longer a probation practitioner I am sorry for all those who feel bound to continue to pursue employment with a CRC, the NPS, NOMs or a probation dependent job in the MOJ.
ReplyDeleteTo me the main question now contracts have been exchanged is what might be done to prevent them being implemented at least before approved by the government and/or parliament after a general election.
The crisis in probation is part of a far bigger crisis of UK governance, which is indicated, for example, by local media reports in Essex that there are not staffing problems at Chelmsford prison and by claiming there are the Howard League is just pursuing some sort of political agenda.
Andrew, I share your sadness although I disagree about the idea of failure.
DeleteWhen a client of mine re-offends, despite my best efforts to show them a different path, I'm not responsible for it. Naturally I feel sadness and disappointment, but the responsibility for the offence is theirs and theirs alone.
I feel the same about TR. I think we, as individuals, have made things as difficult for the MoJ as we could possibly have expected, running rings around their arguments and no doubt putting a number of bidders off in the process. They have been forced into changes that they would not otherwise have made, and Grayling knows he's had a battle on his hands. The despicable and triumphant comments from the MoJ flunky after Napo gave up on JR give a hint at just how relieved they are.
But we're not responsible for failing to stop TR. For me this is an object lesson in how a determined Government department will force through its 'reforms' despite all reasoned opposition, and how the landing will be all the harder for it.
I will continue to take my wages until I'm in a position to do something else - or until they try to cut my wages and make it worth my while to take my skills elsewhere. I will continue to give my best for my clients, but I won't work any more than the 37 hours I'm paid for, and I won't be volunteering for anything outside my job description.
We haven't failed, the MoJ has failed us, and our communities.
We all want to do a good job. But a concerted effort by everyone to work their contracted hours and work at a pace which does not stress them out would be a good thing for you and not the profiteers. Don't help them make money by your own blood sweat and tears.
Deletehttp://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/comment/mark-leftly-a-privatisation-that-should-stay-under-lock-and-key-9934886.html
DeleteI also laughed derisively when I read the comments about Purple Futures acquiring a "stable organisation" - if that's what they really think then they've failed to pay attention to a degree that, in most circumstances, would represent a dereliction of duty.
DeleteStill, if Interserve are involved, the CRCs probably do look stable - from the point of view of a company that thinks 300 mile round trips to change a lightbulb represents value for money for the taxpayer.
Anyone got the text of the Purple Futures statement? Not letting me view it.
DeletePurple Futures named as new provider of probation and rehabilitation services by Ministry of Justice
Delete18 December 2014New partnership to manage services for up to 25 per cent of low- to medium risk ex-offenders in England and Wales for seven yearsRehabilitation services to be expanded and new ‘through-the-gate’ support provided for offenders on short-term sentencesPurple Futures pledges to support offenders towards achieving ‘stable lives’Partnership pledges investment in new training systems and processes to safeguard public protectionCollective contract values worth circa £600 million over seven yearsThe Purple Futures partnership, a new partnership of private sector, charities and social enterprise, will be providing probation and rehabilitation services in five areas of the UK from February 2015, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed today.Purple Futures, led by Interserve, the UK-based FTSE-listed support services and public services company, together with the charities Addaction, Shelter and P3, and the social enterprise 3SC, will manage services in Greater Manchester & Cheshire; Merseyside; West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire, Humberside & Lincolnshire and Hampshire, which together account for over 40,000 offenders each year.From 1 February, the partnership will assume legal ownership of five Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs), and the management of around 2,000 probation service personnel. It will deliver probation and rehabilitation services for the majority of offenders, however, high-risk cases will remain under the jurisdiction of the National Probation Service.The services form part of the MoJ’s Transforming Rehabilitation (TR) programme, and will for the first time see business working with local specialist and voluntary groups to provide support to offenders, to improve their life chances on release and reduce reoffending rates.Yvonne Thomas, Managing Director of Justice at Interserve, lead partner of Purple Futures, said:“We recognise that offenders have the potential to change – and we will work together to help them realise this, while delivering their sentences. We will provide opportunities to reform for all – but always with the safety of both the public and our staff as our priority.“We are confident in our plans and keen to start by working with our new colleagues. We understand that the past months have been a period of anxiety for many. However, we will be acquiring a very stable operation from the probation service and we have a unique opportunity to build an integrated approach to the rehabilitation of offenders. The inclusion in scope of offenders serving under 12 months and a resettlement service that focuses on reintegration into the community are exciting new opportunities for us to work together to support offenders in their journey towards stable lives.”From 1 February, a number of new initiatives will be implemented by the partnership:Investment in new training, systems and processes to ensure that public protection remains the top priority, with probation specialists trained in public protection. Rehabilitation services will be expanded and refreshed.A ‘through-the-gate’ service to prisoners. Purple Futures will also manage offenders on licence and post sentence supervision. This will include those on sentences under 12 months, who previously fell outside the remit of the probation service.Purple Futures will deliver the sentence of the court, and in particular the new rehabilitation activity requirement sentence (as required under the new Offender Rehabilitation Act), using this opportunity to work with offenders to address the causes of offending.A 48-hour ‘intensive service’ will be provided for the most vulnerable prisoners to support them on release, including a person to meet them on release, accommodation and specialist support for those mental health issues or with drug or alcohol addiction.The creation of job opportunities for ex-offenders, including by working with them to set up social enterprises.
P3 site yesterday
Delete"The Purple Futures partnership, a new partnership of private sector, charities and social enterprise, will be providing probation and rehabilitation services in five areas of the UK from February 2015, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed today.
Purple Futures, led by Interserve, the UK-based FTSE-listed support services and public services company, together with the charities P3, Addaction, Shelter and the social enterprise 3SC, will manage services in Greater Manchester & Cheshire; Merseyside; West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire, Humberside & Lincolnshire and Hampshire, which together account for over 40,000 offenders each year.
From 1 February, the partnership will assume legal ownership of five Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs), and the management of around 2,000 probation service personnel. It will deliver probation and rehabilitation services for the majority of offenders, however, high-risk cases will remain under the jurisdiction of the National Probation Service.
The services form part of the MoJ’s Transforming Rehabilitation (TR) programme, and will for the first time see business working with local specialist and voluntary groups to provide support to offenders, to improve their life chances on release and reduce reoffending rates.
Yvonne Thomas, Managing Director of Justice at Interserve, lead partner of Purple Futures, said:
“We recognise that offenders have the potential to change – and we will work together to help them realise this, while delivering their sentences. We will provide opportunities to reform for all - but always with the safety of both the public and our staff as our priority.
“We are confident in our plans and keen to start by working with our new colleagues. We understand that the past months have been a period of anxiety for many. However, we will be acquiring a very stable operation from the probation service and we have a unique opportunity to build an integrated approach to the rehabilitation of offenders. The inclusion in scope of offenders serving under 12 months and a resettlement service that focuses on reintegration into the community are exciting new opportunities for us to work together to support offenders in their journey towards stable lives.”
From 1 February, a number of new initiatives will be implemented by the partnership"
Contd...
Delete"Investment in new training, systems and processes to ensure that public protection remains the top priority, with probation specialists trained in public protection. Rehabilitation services will be expanded and refreshed.
A ‘through-the-gate’ service to prisoners.
Purple Futures will also manage offenders on licence and post sentence supervision. This will include those on sentences under 12 months, who previously fell outside the remit of the probation service. Purple Futures will deliver the sentence of the court, and in particular the new rehabilitation activity requirement sentence (as required under the new Offender Rehabilitation Act), using this opportunity to work with offenders to address the causes of offending.
A 48-hour ‘intensive service’ will be provided for the most vulnerable prisoners to support them on release, including a person to meet them on release, accommodation and specialist support for those mental health issues or with drug or alcohol addiction.
The creation of job opportunities for ex-offenders, including by working with them to set up social enterprises."
Thanks!
DeleteWorking with Addaction! Are they serious?? ��
DeleteThere can be no doubt that the issues concerning charities expressed here regarding their involvement with the DWP will also be concerns within their involvement with probation.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.civilsociety.co.uk/governance/news/content/18787/dwp_promises_measures_to_improve_charities_experience_of_the_work_programme#.VJPyi4lA8
On the theme of charities and payment by results (not), Private Eye has an item detailing the no. of contracts Lockheed Martin, which makes Trident, has with the Scottish public sector and the presentation to them of some award or other by Nicola Sturgeon, whilst her party protests against Nukes in Scotland. The inference being it is a bit 2-faced. The article goes on to point out that Lockheed Martin's Paveway II missiles were those that flattened homes, hospitals and schools in Gaza this year. As you know, along with Atos, they provide the wonderful IT support for NPS. The very notion of 'charity' is cancelled out by either of their names being linked to probation and any charitable organisations who wish to dip their toe in, ought to consider that.
ReplyDeleteGood guest blog interesting and informative. Most in probation now work for faceless corrupt corporations, we are now commodities to be worked until we drop. Soon we will be tracked every second of the day, there will be no trust and little support. If you struggle with any part of the job you will be sacked.
ReplyDeleteThere was a programme on the TV yesterday about the way the company Apple treats its workers, it was discusting they were treated abominably so much so that some committed suicide. The race to the bottom has started very soon wages and terms will be cut and you will be expected to work longer for less. There will be an end to this process but there's a lot of suffering to come.
The oil price is falling , good some say but I think this could this could trigger another banking collapse.The rise in fracking in the USA has created thousands of jobs and high oil prices has created more oil related jobs in the rest of Europe too. In the news we can see that thousands of job are being lost now that the price of oil is falling. Banks have sold billions of pounds of "Junk Bonds" and a myriad of derivatives based on them. If the oil companies continue to go bust the derivatives will be seen as worthless just like there were in the last crash when they were sold as insurance in the housing market. The banks hold the derivative along with pension funds and again just like 2008 the bubble will be pricked, the derivative will be seen for what they are, worthless bets,and credit will stop flowing between banks and the market will crash. In 2008 the banks could see this coming so they started to insure themselves against the losses of other banks crashing, they are doing the same now.
They will be bailed out again by their political mates and we will have even more austerity forced on us. We will be crucified, we are seen as worthless proles now come the next crash we will be forced into Apple like working ghettoes or prison. And to end with, at the last G20 meeting it was decided that when the next crash comes the banks will be able to take money out of our accounts to rebuild their balance sheets, al a Cyprus. See there's no need to worry our political betters have worked it all out for us, just do what you are told and all will be okay.
papa
The charity I worked for, working in Partnership with Probation, also ran 'through the gate' for all released prisoners. This stopped when the company providing our service changed due to re-tendering. Our service is due to be cut at end of March due to TR. I think all released prisoners will be referred to the Work Programme and will access facilities in the community. Not suitable for some high risk offenders. Worrying that currently all unemployed released prisoners with over 12 months sentence are already being put on WP. If they are on ESA and assessed as being fit for work within 18 mths also go on WP. Who assesses and what is the critera? Worrying!
ReplyDelete