Sunday 15 March 2015

Bleak Futures Week 11

What really concerns me most is the management policy of distancing itself from practice because if they do not know, they think they have no responsibility: any blame can sit with the practitioner. They should remember that their salaries are higher purely because of responsibility payments.

*****
The IT system should be the highest factor in the business risk register and coded red.

*****
I have this to say to everyone who thinks Manchester is capable of offering the same level of service now as pre-TR. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah *pauses for breath* hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

*****
This applies both to CRC and to NPS as things are changing daily and its reminiscent of the movie 'Downfall' when Der Fuhrer attempts to move divisions that don't exist anymore in the mistaken belief that salvation is at hand and no-one has the balls to tell him...sound familiar????

*****
There are people in our local prison doing CRC TTG and I've no idea who they are but they are not CRC Probation - they're not NPS probation either. Who are these people and why if prison staff are doing BCS and pre-release planning is there a panic that probation CRC staff need to be directed to transfer to custody if its being done by others? Very confusing about who's doing what.

*****
In HMP Durham it was until this month Foundation who ran TTG. This has now stopped and we are in an absolutely shocking position that people are being released with only £46 in their pocket and no support!!! It should not be like this and if there was only some way that we could tear apart, on ideological grounds, an award winning service in order to provide this support. Oh, hang on......

*****
This is one of the fallacies that the TR providers are about to discover. There actually was TTG support in place, just not through MoJ contracted services - mostly through agreements with Local Authorities and third sector. They were effective too, but are now down the swannie. The TR providers will now have to pay for their own service but without the flexibility that previous arrangements had. Dear oh dear....I just don't think they understood this at all. And I can't see how they can afford it. Past Foundation and Shelter services in the North - all will have to be replaced with TR provider money.

*****
A lot of what is going on is stalling and pretending. Just get to after the election then who gives a fuck.

*****
It's so depressing, and clients are suffering too, on a global (universal) scale! I'll soon try to transfer a lifer to another area - still within the NPS district. Never liked losing people I've positively worked with for years to another area, but his reasons for wanting to go are genuine and the right thing to do, for him. I anticipate a struggle and it shouldn't be this way! The other area has no council properties as it has all been outsourced to a private company, so that's the first hurdle, but then there will be probation, victim services, Mappa and police.

It's exhausting for me and emotionally draining for the client! I know what you're thinking, no change there, but post TR the system appears to have had an intellectual and morality bypass! A consequence of which has been a reduction of confidence, something I have never been short of, and that will, if it carries on lead to feelings of hopelessness!

*****
Good luck with your lifer transfer. My case is unable to return to his home area but no area will accept transfer of him near to his open prison (two areas nearby) citing "no community support/links" as the reason. Also I couldn't get him into an AP in south for his ROTLs earlier on for the same reason. Chances of accommodation are pretty low. I shall continue to try my best for him from one hundred and fifty miles away, but it is very difficult to travel due to time constraints (what do I leave undone in order to travel to him?) and expense. Rehabilitation....the reality.

*****
For the last ten years the provision of accommodation for probation clients has evaporated. Community Safety agencies, DV forums, Homelessness teams - all seem too eager to refuse to support applications. When did a CRB check become part of registering as homeless? Since when was gossip exchanged at a "professionals" meeting accepted as 'fact'? Not many weeks back I spent 5 hours at the local housing office with a client. At 4pm they told me they were closing for the day - "perhaps you could buy her a tent and a sleeping bag?"

For a recent releasee on Licence I've had to resort to utilising housing provision previously set aside for prospective tenants with diagnosed learning disability. Complaints etc have been lodged, but no-one seems interested. Even if he had £460 in his pocket on release, he still couldn't have found accommodation.

I think the wholesale transfer of local authority housing stock was criminal, yet another act of reckless political vandalism which robbed the local tax payers of their assets. Even if TR was a sensible plan (which it isn't) it is inherently doomed to fail because there is no working infrastructure in the UK. Why? Because it's been hastily dismantled & sold off over the last 30 or so years. Thatcher, Major, Blair, Brown & Cameron are the Steptoe & Son of the political world. Scrap merchants, thieves & exploitative, self-interested gits.

*****
Second day in new CRC Team, just me replacing 3 FT staff who have jumped across to NPS. Was asked to see a young man who came in insisting he had an appointment and no record of him at all to be found on Delius. Admin had rung the Court, they said they didn't know anything about him. Took him in an interview room and he explained he had been in court two days earlier. He used to be with the YOT but the Court 'squashed' that and told him he's got to do 30 days something but he doesn't know what.

Put him in the waiting room, rang the YOT, exasperated officer says she's been on to the Court several times about him, he's high risk of harm and should be at the NPS office 6 miles away except it then turns out that he has given a fake address at Court (despite the YOT Officer warning that he might do this) and he shouldn't even be in our town. After he'd been hanging around now for 40 minutes, explained all this to him. He told me to fuck off and that Probation is fucking shit. Had to agree really.

*****
Happening all over the place!

*****
Yep. Case came into the office last week. Reception can't find him on Delius and he doesn't know who he is here to see. Eventually I go down and take him into interview room to ask some details (as office was crowded). From what I can gather he appears to be a CRC case arrived from Court. No record of him though. A shambles, not to mention dangerous.

Another one last week where unpaid work have no access to OASys before 1st appointment. NPS have a look and in his last assessment (2013) he was high risk of serious harm. Who knows what his risk is now as sentenced without an up to date OASys.

Finally, FDR completed at Court by PSO on known sex offender who police consider to be high risk. Index offence on the face of it, fairly minor and not a sex offence so historical offences had gone unnoticed. All this in one office in one week.

*****
Purple Futures looking fragile and wet behind the ears. They have been holding lots of workshops on new service design with staff who aren't experienced in the right places, and the unofficial feedback is that they are coming up with ideas that failed some years ago - group reporting, narrow officer specialisms. Unrealistic about challenges with IT systems also. We know from past experience that emphasis on group work and specialisms is very expensive and inefficient, and loose group work is ineffective too. Some people need reining in but are taken for innovative and enthusiastic.

My analysis of all this is that those TR providers who look at the Segmentation evidence on effective practice will shy away from groups for the sake of it. But unfortunately too many seem to think this is a route to effectiveness and efficiency.

*****
I'm so angered by what this government has done to what was once an award winning probation service. Nothing works anymore, NOTHING!! Case allocation - doesn't work. ORA - doesn't work. TTG - doesn't work. Delius - doesn't work. NPS helpdesk - doesn't work. Shared services -doesn't work (total piss take). It's total chaos out there while the managers go round telling everyone that it is working. There's a real disconnect between managers and their staff now, we don't speak to each other any more. No small talk or questions about how YOU are actually feeling with all these high risk cases. Just a get on with it attitude. I don't know who or what can save us now? I don't think many people care? It's all going horribly wrong.....

*****
It's all going wrong all right, when a PO with 20 years experience of managing high risk cases, continues to carry the same cases after being shafted to the CRC, with an allocated NPS member of staff overseeing the work, and tasked with 'risk management'. 20 years of loyal service rewarded by having all credibility stripped, renamed a 'responsible officer', and unable to make a decision about anything, only to find that the over-seeing NPS officers are agency PSO's been in the service 10 minutes with no investment what so ever. Good call for public protection!

*****
And yet again, it is spouted all is well when on the ground - it is far from it. Diluted supervision, and only ticking right boxes for profit is the key. Behind machines still rather than the real probation face to face work. It's as bollocks now as it has been for last few years. Correction - didn't think it could get worse but it has. Desistance - a manager wouldn't understand it if it bit them in the arse. And Napo, Unison - weakest unions I have ever been party to in all my years of working. Thank god I'm close to retirement.

*****
Can anyone explain to me how we are supposed to explain to courts what the pile of shite called a RAR is?

*****
Working Links run the DWP Work Programme in Wales and now run Wales CRC, plus 2 others. They frequently sanction offenders and make no allowances for their chaotic lives. They 'park' offenders. Fun times ahead!

*****
In Wales prisoners are now being released under the new ORA with no support agencies in place. TTG not up and running and still no date given for it

*****
Being elected to be assigned CRC has made me reflect on the quality assurance within our CRC and how effective we can be. Yes I'm gutted about the split, but my passion for the work that we all do and the commitment from staff is admirable. All the crap from on high can stay with the likes of CG and his pals and leave the face and future of our CRC to the ones who know best, us!!!!!!

Yes we are hearing on this blog about poor systems that are in place, managers rocking around corridors trying to creep their way into the arses of the providers and some staff walking away. However, there is a fight still ongoing around our integrity and values in the CRC world and in some ways we are winning. The providers we have in our area are listening, strange but true, and are willing to look at what we do as we are fighting for a service of quality not shite!!!

Training is still ongoing and gaining speed. Sorry NPS I know this is not true for you guys. QA is a priority, just as we knew it previously and for us staff we are standing up and shouting but being listened to. Sorry for going on, but my passion for my work and the good work shown by my colleagues is something I am very proud of and it is going to stay. I get sick of hearing us in the CRC world, your colleagues, being made to feel second fiddle, but one thing I will say is that we are not going away, we are going to fight this and keep our integrity because you know why - we have a pair of balls!!!!

*****
The Isle of Wight has two prisons – Parkhurst and Albany. There was a third – Camphill – but it closed. Grayling was on the Island last week. Guess which 'prison' he visited? Camphill! Had he visited Albany, he would have heard about the fire, that started in a cell but led to a full-scale emergency and 18 prisoners in hospital. There was panic at one point with trapped prisoners being told to saturate towels and hold them to their faces when the electronic cell doors initially failed to open. Maybe I missed this in the news at the time or was it suppressed? Not a minor incident as A wing was shutdown for weeks. But not something that Grayling thought worth a visit – preferring an empty prison instead.

*****
People leaving and no signs of any plans to replace them; people off sick; constant requests from management to courts to re-list cases; missed results due to staff absences; every previous route to efficiency blocked by a new layer of IT & bureaucracy. It isn't working.

*****
Well I am glad the CRCs can access a computer. North East computers and phones have been down all day in my office. No communication with the outside world. Of course if they had have been on I could have sent off my application for the Prison Governor NOMs graduate fast track, hasty rushed into senior leadership post. Because it's so much more gratifying not dealing with all the violence and bullying on the inside rather than scratching my arse all day in the office with little to do given we are encouraged to rely on ndelius. In future I shall take a book to pass the time.

*****
I have very recently had contact with someone who works for Ernst & Young. Our friendship has been developing positively. Who are they and what do they do? Well set your mind back a little. For those who are not aware, Ernst Young is one of the largest auditing firms for Gov departments. I'm slowly working to get some interesting information out soon.

*****
A piece of work from yesterday could not be completed due to no NPS admin. This morning I have to wait to be informed when NPS admin have done their thing before I am able to piss about with the IT bureaucracy myself. Then I need to inform NPS admin that I've done my thing so they can do yet another bit before CRC even get the case. Meanwhile in the good days I wouldn't have been pissing about like this. I would be somewhere else, doing something useful.

*****
Couldn't agree more. The lack of information provided by PSRs means CRC POs have to undertake their our own checks re domestic violence & child protection. Whilst waiting for the information to come back, no work is being done to protect said partner or child. When raised with managers, response is "if there is an SFO we're covered because there is no way of us knowing before". My response: "So it's OK that partner dies because we're covered? What the fuck?!?". Just how it is now.

Over in NPS: POs can check domestic call outs and child protection but the info won't be back to inform the court report. So what do we do with the info when it does come back? What if we are off sick or moved offices or no longer in the role? It's not good for important info to go through a third party.

Best process would be for NPS to make enquiries at earliest opportunity and for CRC to have a central e-mail for all info to go to to make sure it is received. This would mean NPS taking time to do 'work on behalf of CRC' and CRC not burying its head in the sand. Not sure I can see any of this happening. People will die but it's OK because the blame won't be able to be pinned on anyone so it's all good.

*****
The statement 'we're covered' will only wash once with SFO's, victim groups, politicians and the media - as the lessons learned from the first have clearly made no difference and the inquiries will just go on an on, with no regard for victims or perpetrators. Ten years or more ago, Probation managers insisted practitioners made checks on all those our clients live with, due to some very nasty and tragic deaths of children in the same household as our service users and there are parallels with social workers being pilloried for not getting over the front door to find out who lives there! It is an utter disgrace that current practice effectively ignores all that has gone before. I am ashamed to be part of it!

*****
Perhaps each office, CRC and NPS need to highlight concerns in writing and pass up the chain of command. Since it seems to be all about accountability, this might be a way of getting them to take action. If we've highlighted the issues formally, senior management won't be 'in the clear' when the inevitable happens. Might make them sort this out.

*****
Without wishing to understate the impact of TR on court reports, the dumbing-down of reports started years ago with a steady decline in full reports and the increase in orals and FDRs. The senior managers in probation trusts pushed these changes hard and were indifferent to the loss of quality. And yet before this dumbing-down there had been great emphasis on how a report could only be produced via a full OASys and in some cases – domestic violence in particular - two interviews were mandatory. This was the practice standard, it was evidence-based practice, consistent with the best probation values. And then all gets dropped like a hot potato as the expedited report becomes the norm. When any organisation can do such somersaults in service delivery, credibility as to core values and practices is destroyed, and you find it difficult not to conclude that it's so-called values are shallow and opportunistic. The workplace becomes a crude bureaucracy.

*****
Never thought they could be dumbed down any more but they are. One CRC PO who raised significant concerns regarding information coming to light after case allocated to CRC which involved sexual offence and family history of sexual offences told by CRC Manager - 'your job is not to assess risk but to assess need and not to go looking and digging for information regarding risk'. Our future - public at risk - we have to say NOT ON OUR WATCH.

*****
This mirrors the London CAT CRIT CIT experiment of about 15 years ago. It was found that no part of the system took ownership of anything but their bit. Seamless it was not. Now we have that situation on steroids. No part of the system cares at all about any other part. The Courts need to get the report done fast and so will roll them off. If it's expensive and mistakes need to be corrected, well that comes out of some other sods budget (and in a lot of cases out of some other Agencies budget) so screw 'em. This time though nobody is in a position to oversee the whole process. I suspect that it's falling apart faster than last time. But I don't know cos I am just a foot soldier. I don't think the generals know either cos somebody has put them in two separate bunkers, burnt their maps and torn out the telephone lines.

*****
New case that arrived for induction this week with no information - I couldn't even find out what her sentence was. I gently asked if she had her Court Order with her - NO! She told me her case was adjourned for 3 weeks and was given a report appointment on the day of sentencing and, due to transport delays, was 1/2 hour late for her interview. She was very upset at being given 20 minutes to relate her story and her frustration was stated to the Court in her report, again providing resentment based on a feeling of injustice. I gave an empathetic ear, but this demonstrates the complete failure to recognise the impact in fragmenting our service!

*****
New case allocated CRC - Looked for PSR not one, looked for pre-cons, none, looked for CPS none. Looked at RSR - ONLY document available - guess what - undefined was the answer against the majority of questions. Explanation - no NPS in court at time of sentence. How can a case be allocated to CRC without at the very least the full RSR being completed to accurately define the score? Surely if NPS are not in court, then an appt with NPS should be arranged post-sentence to complete the necessary paperwork? - PS No CAS either. PPS: This is not a criticism of NPS colleagues but of the system. However, what I don't think NPS staff understand is the impact on CRC staff is that this could have a significant impact on PbRs which ultimately is going to cost NOT JUST JOBS but potentially LIVES.

*****
Two cases in two days where NPS have contacted previous OMs (shafted to CRC) for information regarding current or previously known cases. In first instance NPS staff told the individual has been supervised for 18 months and failed to engaged in any intervention to address specific needs related to offending but still a CO being considered; the second the individual has never completed a CO - each has resulted in multiple breaches before revocation has been the ultimate outcome - you guessed - CO being proposed. I'm sorry, I'm all for wanting to help individuals, but where it is clear they do not want to engage with either their COs or intervention to address their specific needs - why set up the individual or CRC staff to fail?

*****
Honestly this happens with NPS allocations too...only the cases are high ROSH...I'm really NOT saying NPS cases 'trump' CRC cases before anyone responds that way, I just want to say we are all in the same rubbish boat. I also really feel for court staff 'cos who came into this job to work doing oral reports all day?

*****
Imagine this one....sentenced on oral report to an ATR, but err, the client had been suspended from his previous ATR for err, assaulting the alcohol keyworker - yup TR works!
PS not blaming the CDO, don't think I could have done any different in an hour....we are relying on the clients to tell us this vital information now and why would they?

*****
So sad to read today's blog. The bulk of my probation career was spent in the courts, providing sentencers, clients and colleagues alike with as good a service as possible. Daily liaison was inevitable with sentencers (judges or magistrates), clerks, defence & CPS lawyers, social services, police, youth offending, other probation areas - even with the media circus when higher profile cases were being dealt with. It was a challenging but satisfying career - and by proactively managing the work in the courts meant that, in every sense, we were on top of our game, and we were very rarely caught short. Sounds like its become a Kafka-esque nightmare.

*****
If you want to experience a Kafkaesque situation, try applying to leave the service and accessing your pension through Shared Services. The different departments don't appear to communicate with each other and the whole process is a stressful nightmare. The above post describes the process with alarming precision.

*****
"They have concerns about sentencing not being targeted to suit their business model". Is it now the case that private enterprise with no experience of, or no concern in other than profit, will significantly influence law and justice to shape itself around business models?

*****
It really is all going wrong from the courts - the blame must lie with management. Staff have no discretion just instruction these days and yes the term battery hens is appropriate.

*****
A woman down the pub told me that in Wales PO's are being withdrawn from Courts - only PSO's will remain - let's just see how that all works then shall we. Pay - in real terms our salaries have decreased - salaries have not kept pace with inflation. I believe salary scales will blur and merge - and in one direction of course - downwards.

*****
We've been split into teams, cases transferred in a week. Next week we start the new working arrangements. Only problem is we have not been told how we will be working. I thought the last year was bad, just when you think it can't get any worse, it does. Apparently every service user that has children will be checked for Social Services involvement. Social Services already in meltdown and must be against human rights. Whilst safeguarding children is paramount, because someone offends does not automatically mean he/she is a bad parent.

*****
For the last 2 years we've been under management direction to take names & dob of ALL children (birth, step, etc) of ALL cases (& their current partners) and check with social services - "triage" (ain't that a sweet name for it?) to see if they're known, current or otherwise. Any case refusing to provide those details or give consent is referred to "triage" for a check on the adults name & address in any event. Well, you never know, do you? They've been caught drink-driving, they've already proved they can wilfully break the law, they're likely to be liars as well, they probably starve their children to pay for their booze, they probably beat them in a drunken rage, no self-control you see, no discipline, just think of those poor babies, etc, etc, etc... "AND how would YOU feel if YOU failed to make those checks? What would the SFO say about YOU? Now get on that 'phone..." Fear is the key.

*****
We've just been given some 'training' as the above practices have now been introduced in our area. An interesting split in viewpoint was revealed - scenario: female comes to probation looking for her partner with child who is a bit dirty and hasn't got a coat on - its January - what would you do? Consensus amongst most PSO's was to ring social services immediately, with most PO's going Why? - and highlighting the many assumptions being made based on too little information.

The usual guilt-inducing rhetoric was trotted out by the trainers as per above 'how would you feel...on your watch...etc etc. Having recently watched Social Services drive a Hercules tank into someones life (Claire's law disclosure at their place of work so the whole world knew) only to 'drive out' again a couple of weeks later and close the case (so, there WAS no immediate risk to the family then,eh?) this blanket approach to regarding everyone as a risk will only cause more harm than good. Also, our local Children's Services offices are becoming a little shirty about all the extra assessment work we are passing their way, and the trainers were unable to confirm that a new Service Level Agreement was in place to cover this newly imposed role of ours. Luckily I'm pretty immune to attempts to try and make me feel guilty about what I do or don't do as a PO.

*****
I know that at least one CRC has had the job evaluation discussion (consultation) with the Trade Unions so the process of 'rationalisation' has started. The trouble with the whole TR mess is that so much is going wrong it has turned into white noise to the MoJ. Or perhaps they are deliberately asking questions about processes that ensure they receive only the answers they want.

There is a growing realisation, as you point out, that what CRCs have must change quickly now to ensure the business model works. The CRCs are now in the driving seat so expect pressure shifted upwards to the MoJ (deservedly so). I understand the question of business premises is a major issue in terms of cost and business efficiency. For new business models to work, the split must be more literal - to allow CRCs to operate in their existing co-locations was a fundamental error.

*****
I know that one CRC has a significant number of new PSOs because all of their POs have gone to the NPS and all their experienced PSOs are NPS trainees. Many of these new PSOs are still on their Probation period and cannot be confirmed because their caseloads are in such a mess but no-one knows whether it is the PSOs or the system that is at fault!!

*****
I have lost count of the number of 'briefings' emailed which contain lots of big pictures of shiny unknown people no doubt being paid a great deal of hard working tax payers money to do god knows what and tell me absolutely nothing in terms of what I need to know. I don't need to know their back story, what they enjoyed about Uni or how they are bubbling over with enthusiasm at the destruction of probation services. The self adoration is offensive.

*****
The blog is entirely accurate on the issues of IT and comments about premises...to such an extent that the CRC plans will be put back by "years!" As a consequence the CRC will have to pay larger fees for longer and so will seek alternatives for saving money. The obvious significant cost is staffing and so there is likely to be deeper staff reductions to save money. This is horrendous for those waiting for outcome decisions and should also be a worry to those who have transferred to NPS too - there is little shelter there. There is still plenty to be angry about; there is still plenty to fight for, so don't imagine this mess is yet a done deal.

*****
Parliament has been sold a duck, and the CRC's (fools to have been taken in, but that's what happens when your vision is clouded by £ signs). Sadly, they'll never admit it and will continue to shove square pegs into round holes - fuckwits. However, GC may be losing sleep as he has royally fucked off the wrong people, the private companies!

*****
Who has decided that in CRC the deadline for ISPs is now 10 days? How come it was previously 15 days with half the caseload, but all of a sudden our caseloads have doubled and the deadline for ISPs cut by a third - how can this be possible?? 

We've also been told under no circumstances can we be late with them - no professional judgements to inform the assessment - they must be added in an update. I and my colleagues feel like we can't do the job anymore it's almost like we're being pushed to breaking point so that we walk. 8 hours overtime I had to do last week just to get through the workload and we're exhausted.

*****
Completely agree with you it is impossible to maintain this for any length of time especially at the rate new orders are being allocated, along with those being released from custody. I am spending even more time behind my computer than I did previously - its a nightmare and this week I have been close to walking.

*****
Only walk at 5pm, same as I do. I know it might be easier said than done, until TR I regularly put in at least an hours overtime everyday, mainly paperwork as I spent the day doing something constructive such as working with clients, you know, the proper stuff. Now, come 5pm it's computer off, coat on and off out the door. I assure you the first time you try it you WILL struggle, each day gets easier. My work/life balance has improved considerably, I no longer have the 2pm heartburn I used to get and whilst it's still stressful and demanding, I do feel a lot better in myself. You going off on the sick is not helping anyone and if you think for one moment that your boss cares that he/she was the cause of it then you are sadly mistaken.

*****
This must be standard practice across Purple Futures CRCs - I feel so upset that I can't even see my workload management tool. I am obviously overworked but cant prove it - it's so wrong because I'm going like the clappers trying to do everything when the reality is I am on mission impossible. This is so unfair - we need sight of our workload management tool as our office are going crazy it's like we're deliberately being kept in the dark. The stark reality is some staff are starting to suffer mental health problems, interrupted sleep, agitation; anxiety and I tell you what, if ever there is a suicide as someones been worked to breaking point, CRC will have to answer to the Coroner and with the Probation family you upset one of us you upset us all - this will not be brushed under the carpet. CRCs get your act together!!

*****
I am concerned that colleagues are stating they are having to do the whole OASys assessment in 10 days. If their bosses in CRC/NPS read PI58/2014 it only mentions in section 2.3 that 'a plan' has to be completed. This does not have to be the OASys sentence plan. WWM CRC have provided a 2 page plan on Delius for us to complete and completing this in 10 days is a reasonable request.

*****
Do the CDC's have an overtime arrangement? If not, work only your contracted hours, don't try to fix it, 'tis broken beyond repair!

*****
I've noticed over the past fortnight or so the Data System Share on delius isn't working. This is a useful IT database that tells OM what prison establishment their offender is in plus it gives HDC/CRD/dates etc - I have missed this whilst it's been down - I also use this if I write to people as it gives their Noms & prison number.

*****
This is so deja vu. This is C-Nomis all over again, so many grand promises and tight deadlines that turn into delays, epic money pits and failure to deliver. CRC are supposedly bringing in new technology by the end of the year. If the government, bank rolling private IT contractors with lots of workers couldn't get that working, what hope in hell do each CRC have? C-Nomis cost £600 million plus.

36 comments:

  1. WWM CRC - 2 page Sentence Plan on N-Delius - in my area, at the moment, we are expected to complete the E-OASyS Assessment with ISP within 10 days. Sounds to me your area has at least taken a sensible and realistic approach.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. NAPO need to be crawling all over this. It is linked to staff welfare and capability. It seems people are being penalised simply for the area they work in and what company runs them.

      NAPO also need to be asking the BIG question as to WHO authorised this 10 day target as it's a Mickey Mouse instruction by somebody who has zero experience of holding 80 cases.

      Delete
    2. Could not agree with you more on all counts.x

      Delete
    3. The differential practice - and accountability with capability not far behind - is the very bread and butter work of trade unions both NAPO and UNISON. C'mon people raise this! Then there is no excuse for inactivity.

      Delete
    4. Does Napo = Dodo? Because I thought they were extinct, dead & buried like the Clarksonaurus. And with the passing of payslips it has been impossible to see what Union deductions come from my pay because the IT system won't recognise my password. Not even the mysterious IT-guru can resolve it, and without a working magical password HR won't tell me anything. I've tried "Open Sessame"; "Shazam"; "Size of an elephant"; and "FFS!".

      Delete
    5. Napo will have a big organsational struggle to stay alive if the CHECK OFF system for paying subscriptions ends as seems to be the Government's aim - though presumably implementation will depend on the General Election out come.

      Ian Lawrence writes about it in the new issue of Napo News: -

      http://naponewsonline.org/2015/03/16/is-tr-the-biggest-con-trick-since-salting-the-mine-ian-lawrence-writes/

      Delete
  2. There was a conference on the 10th March in Manchester where the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State was due to include the following in his speech: -

    " All of the new owners of the CRCs have experience working with offenders or across the Criminal Justice System. As well as the lead providers, almost 1000 organisations have registered to play a part in the wider supply chain – including more than 700 listed as VCSE organisations.

    In the new world, the CRCs now have the freedom from bureaucracy, and the flexibility to do what works. We will pay them only when they deliver – creating both the immediate and long-term incentive to keep innovating to find real reductions in reoffending.

    Life in that new world also now means that for the first time, we have proper through the gate provision, meaning continuity from custody into the community.

    I want to make sure that we catch more of those offenders who ended up falling through the cracks all over again … because they didn’t have anywhere to go … because they didn’t know how to find a job … because they just didn’t have a clue about how to start rebuilding their lives. "

    http://www.reform.uk/publication/new-frontiers-of-criminal-justice-rt-hon-chris-grayling-mp-speech-transcript/

    http://www.reform.uk/event/major-policy-conference-with-rt-hon-yvette-cooper-mp/

    AND the hosting organisation Tweeted this at the end of the week: -

    " Reform @reformthinktank · Mar 13

    Reformer of the week: Chris Grayling for committing to the digital transformation of the courts system "

    https://twitter.com/reformthinktank/status/576440913758674945

    Some Twitter comments from that event can still be found searching with: -

    #reformjustice

    By following the Reform Organisation's Twitter feed on 10th March you can find links to some of the other speeches, including Gary Monaghan, now Governor at Wormwood Scrubs - I knew him at the London prison where I worked about 15 years ago - when he was Head of Residence.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Working Links have identified Catch 22 as preferred bidders for the TTG services

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A apt name if there ever was one!!!!

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch-22_(logic)

      Delete
    2. Catch 22 - you couldn't make it up!!

      Delete
  4. One glimmer of hope in all of this mess for our NPS buddies is that you all apparently get to have the Queens birthday off,,,,,sounds a lovely patriotic guesture,,,,,three cheers and a skip round the civil service garden for that one !!!! At least in CRC world we get teas and coffees ,,,,,,,,,,,,,, anyway, I just want to say happy mummys day to all the mums in bleak futures week 11 blog world, you are all stars and to all the mums sadly gone but never forgotten ,,,,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How is it gonna work in a co located office. I hope I'm not expected to see NPS cases that drop in on that day!

      Delete
    2. It is your duty as a mere subject. Don't forget to lead the 3 cheers for her Maj. No, hang on, it's 3 cheers for Chris Grayling in the CRCs, after you've sung the company song.

      Delete
    3. on one hand its great having a day off but all it means is catch-up in the days after - a day less to get reports and prison visits done before the next court date. It's false economy.

      Delete
    4. Just what I was thinking. We have a Good Friday and Bank Holiday and in my mind all it means is that I have 8 days to do 10 days work in. What has it come to when a long weekend off, when I can spend time with my kids, becomes a burden. My workload is increasing daily and whilst many of the under 12 months will go to the CRC, I'm not sure we have the capacity in the NPS to take more. I have a felling that the RSR score will be increased this year to take the pressure off the NPS. I'm not gloating or anything and my colleagues in the CRC are likely equally overworked but NOMS and the MoJ have it in their ability to arbitrarily change the rules to ones which better suit them.

      Delete
    5. The new company song --- now that will be a good one to give us all a good laugh and get blog world thinking, so lets kick it off. So CRC 's lets get started every morning and stand like our american sisters with hands on hearts singing: id like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony grow apple trees and honey bees and snow white turtle doves,,,,,, we are complete in the world of harmony.................NOT !!!!

      Delete
  5. we all know Andrew the Lord Chancellor and SoS of the M0J could not tell the truth if his life depended on it. chained to a machine

    ReplyDelete
  6. As a mum just wanted to say, my 20 year old son has single handed provided me with all the motivation I need in work, rest and play! He could teach a load of trained managers a thing or two about 'recognition, rewards' and appreciation! Happy mum's day to all mums!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Is it just me or do the list of problems Jim collates grow longer each week? Heaven help us by the summer when the U12 month start coming out in force!

    ReplyDelete
  8. really peed off to get a TTG - the original offences were from January but the bail act matters were post 1st Feb - the offender was not impressed either

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. One of my more 'challenging' clients coming to the end of a two year Licence just got 8 weeks for TWOC. We now have the pleasure of each others company for a further twelve months.

      Delete
    2. 2 years of support and he continues to re-offend? You don't have to be Poirot to see that he is not suitable for Probation intervention, not your fault I hasten to add but just shows this new TTG is a load of bollocks and is a one size does not fit all policy.

      Delete
  9. TTG...I hear NPS are going to buy services for their offenders from TTG but wait...how can they buy a service that does not exist? Oh, I hear you reply, well it isn't 01 May yet so there's still time...yup 6/7 weeks to set up a service and the staff haven't been recruited yet...TRansforming rehabilitation NOT.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Takes 8 weeks at least for security clearance, It would be somewhat ironic if the one thing that Grayling broke the service up for was the one thing that did not occur. IMHO I cannot see it taking off in the meaningful form that Grayling envisioned.

      Anybody on here 'volunteered' for TTG and heard anything back yet?

      Delete
    2. i'm from Merseyside and none of us have been asked to volunteer so not sure who's gonna be doing the TTG side of things in custodial establishments

      Delete
    3. About 2 weeks ago there was Expression of Interest in DTV CRC, of which TTG was one option. Unfortunately there was little information which may have led to making a more a informed choice. Not sure how many applied for TTG but as far as I know no in who is in my office and CRC applied. I have a feeling that people will start being directed there in a week or so.

      Delete
  10. I have a feeling that this little issue may spark a whole shit load of problems for Grayling!

    http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/prison-officers-union-threatened-high-5341226

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A union has been threatened with legal action by the Government for holding talks to discuss action on pay.

      The Prison Officers Association, which is banned by law from taking industrial action, said it “ruled nothing in and nothing out” in a pay row.

      The POA announced it would hold an emergency gathering of its national executive on Monday to discuss the latest settlement that will leave 80% of officers without a pay rise.

      But Justice Secretary Chris Grayling is trying to stop tomorrow's meeting even before any decision by the POA is made - and threatened the union with a High Court injunction.

      Solicitors acting for Mr Grayling called on the POA to make clear to members that industrial action was not an option - or else face not only an injunction but also a demand for the Government's legal costs.

      POA general secretary Steve Gillan said the threat was “union bashing at its worst".

      “This demonstrates to us that prison officers are being treated differently from other workers in that the Secretary of State would rather go through the courts than engage in proper dialogue," he said.

      “It is absolutely disgraceful in Great Britain you can be injuncted for your thought process. It’s unbelievable and will incense our executive.”

      Delete
    2. Here's the POA press release

      PRESS RELEASE
      For Immediate Release

      POA LEADERSHIP ARE OUTRAGED AT NIL PAY AWARD FOR 80% OF PRISON STAFF

      The initial reaction of the POA is one of outrage regarding a pay cut for the vast majority of their members.

      POA members in 2014 have seen:

      4000 assaults on prison staff.
      A 40% increase in serious assaults on staff.
      A prison system overcrowded.
      A prison population at record levels.
      3500 fewer officers to year end 2014.
      A Service unable to recruit and retain.
      Staff forced away from their homes and families on detached duty.
      Motivation and morale is at an all-time low.
      A Prison Service failing to meet any of the Health and Safety Executive criteria.

      As per our policies the POA will now consider our response on this nil pay award for the difficult and dangerous and under resourced work that they do on behalf of society.

      We are reminded that our members in the NHS have successfully achieved concessions on pay with direct action.

      The Executive will convene an Emergency meeting on Monday, 16th March 2015.

      The POA NEC rules nothing in and nothing out.

      End.

      Delete
    3. More unrest at detention centres (from RT.com)

      "People familiar with the conditions at immigration removal centers in the UK have described them as “proper prisons” with abominable conditions such as lack of medical care, physical abuse and illegal indefinite detentions.

      Amid mounting criticism of the handling of refugees by British authorities, a social media campaign under the hashtag #DetainedVoices has been launched in support of detainees kept in the detention centers.

      RT’s Laura Smith spoke with detainee Ahmat Obid over the phone, who said he initiated the hunger strike because authorities were “making fun” of indefinitely detained people who wanted their cases to be reviewed."

      Delete
  11. In response to the item about the POA , how many probation staff like myself got a zero pay increase last month and have effectively had a pay cut over the past 4 years ?

    ReplyDelete
  12. every single one of us.....

    ReplyDelete
  13. Every time I mention this fact at Napo meetings I am met with the response, "Oh we'll, it is government policy and there really isn't anything we can do about it!" Here's a suggestion get off your lazy arses and start building some partnerships with other public service unions whose members are in the same position!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Since reading this blog (including the comments) I keep hearing people's dissatisfaction with unsupportive and ass licking (excuse my french) managers. As a PQF trainee it is even worse. We are seen as a burden and with no support or direction are told to get on with it. Sadly these ass licking managers themselves went through the TPO route and have no clue how shit the PQF is.

    I hope to see on this blog a post dedicated to peoples experience on the PQF and post on lack of support from management.

    Pissed off Anon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. May I be so bold as to suggest you might be tempted to write a Guest Blog on the subject? My contact details are on the profile page and anonymity guaranteed.

      Delete
    2. I hope pissed off Anon at 08:02 makes regular visits to the PGD Facebook page to try and warn off others as I have been trying to do amidst a lot of criticism.

      http://tinyurl.com/lozdowz

      However I gather the last recruitment for 2015 is now under-way so there are unlikely to be any-more folk actually applying yet awhile.

      I just hope lots pull out or even better get a proper Social work qualification that will enable them to work in any branch of Social Work including Probation.

      With that in mind we need to remember it is Sadiq Khan's policy that Labour should remove work with under 21 year olds from NPS and CRC's, though I do not know whether probation folk will be recruited or seconded into YOTs or whatever the agencies are called, IF - a big - IF - they do eventually come under the auspices of the County and unilateral Borough Councils.

      Delete