Headline
Workforce Planning Committee 11th February 2015
New Business Case Template
Following the determination of the North East staffing establishment the Workforce Planning Committee (WPC) agreed a Business Case Template which will be piloted over the coming months.
A Business Case will be required by the WPC prior to any discussion on changing the agreed and devolved establishment for each Cluster. ACOs will be responsible for managing their Cluster within the given establishment, should they wish to change the staff/skill mix or exceed the given establishment they will need the prior approval of the WPC.
New NE Expression of Interest Form
Following the use of Expressions of Interest (EoI) to rebalance Divisional staffing resources the WPC have agreed to pilot the use of an agreed template which mirrors the use of competencies from the Civil Service recruitment processes but also requires the support and approval of both the local line manager and ACO to ensure the wider Cluster overview and stability is maintained.
EoI will be used in the first instance to allow existing staff to move within the Division prior to to advertisement on Civil Service Jobs website. EoI can only be used for level transfers and acting up arrangements and it will be at the discretion of the ACO as to how widely within the Division they are advertised (where surplus situations exists an ACO may decide to extend the EoI only to those Clusters to protect staff and minimise the use of mobility procedures).
New Workload Management Tools
The National Probation Service are in the process of launching a suite of tools to support Divisions in the determination of establishments and caseload levels. These tools will in time replace the North East Resource Model and tools and include a Workload Measurement Tool (WMT) to support the management of staffing caseloads, a Workforce Planning Tool (WPT) to track vacancies as well as the resource model Mat-Area Capacity Model (MACD) which determines the staffing establishment for OM and Court works.
PO Recruitment Campaign - Stage 4
Following the recent recruitment to CA and PO posts across the Division the WPC agreed to extend the PO recruitment exercise to Stage 4 (open competition). The advert will appear on Civil Service Jobs shortly and all CRC employees can apply.
(More examples of MoJ management speak crap always welcome - Ed)
PS - The results of the Probation Institute elections are in and amongst the successful are Paul Senior, Mike McClelland, Keith Stokeld and Neil Maloney.
By the second paragraph it reads to me as "blah blah blah, blah blah, blah blah blah."
ReplyDeleteWhat a total Horlicks. PO staff shafted to CRC, threatened with job loss if they challenged their shafting, resources demolished by the split, staff leaving. NPS now desperate for staff while experienced POs fester in CRCs.
ReplyDeleteThere are more civil service management roles than ever before, all speaking in tongues, pocketing fat salaries & achieving fuck all. At a meeting last week someone mentioned the "new NPS NW regional court managers" - uh? More tools, roles and models and fuck knows what else, all being created to hide the TR fuck up.
And yes, I did get out the wrong side of the bed this morning.
DeleteThis is complete meaningless gobbeldygook. Someone actually got paid to produce this? An absolutely staggering waste of time and resources and money.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know the voting and turnout figures for the probation institute elections? Presumably now that Napo is at the top table we will see it encouraging Napo members to join TR's ivory tower.
ReplyDeleteOh dear!!
ReplyDeleteRepresentative Council - does not sound like they will be running the façade.
ReplyDeleteI shall consider paying attention when they issue serious public statements warning of the dangers of the split in probation.
Seems as if their website is broken - like the whole stupidly timed idea of a PI - shame on the lot of them.
DeleteAs it exists, obviously the TUs need to be in communication with them, but not actively engaged.
Andrew,
DeleteThe split has happened it's about saving what we can....
Anon@ 13.15: The split has happened...it's about saving what we can. A nice bit of pragmatism here, unburdened by the principle of joining up in the first place.
DeleteIn what way will the PI contribute to the salvation effort? It is not a pressure group, so it will not campaign against TR which would, I suppose, be parricide as it's an offspring of TR. The PI will be a cultist, networking chatterbox representing TR in all its public/private/third sector diversity - and a earner for some academics. The PI will validate and institutionalise the split. It will do its best to keep its multiplicity of providers happy. That's always easy when you stand for everything in general and nothing in particular.
Thank you Net Nipper for putting the position eloquently.
DeleteI just rage when I think about PI. I am no longer amazed that at not one of the three general meetings since it was announced by Grayling - as far as I am aware has there been a motion for Napo to only engage to the extent necessary to protect members interests - which I concede, might just include having members on the representative council and as directors.
As an Associate Napo Member, I guess I could have applied to speak to that suggestion, so I am also at fault - but any two full members could have made a motion. I do not trust myself at such a gathering not to just go into a rage and not achieve my aims.
Napo seems dead as the leading probation professional association unless it clearly differentiates itself from the Probation Institute. I must acknowledge Napo is, rightly, in the hands of the full members who are mostly current practitioners, so presumably as Anon at 13.15 implies - it is a done deal - folk accept it - there it is - take it or leave it!
There have been calls for a probation institute for years. We have one now and Napo are now strongly represented within it. I have had some dealings with the PI and they are open to constructive engagement and are no doubt bemused at the continual raging of a handful of contributors to this website who when not bashing Napo bash the PI whenever it is mentioned. Some of the most prominent academics in the probation world and others are now engaging with the PI and yes they are using its meetings and functions to network and build bridges to encourage professional practice. TR is often discussed critically as it has had a disastrous impact on professional practice. We are all trying to get to grip with the new organisations and structures and trying to make the best of things. PI is not part of TR and has arguably fallen foul of Grayling's cynical attempts at PR manipulation that would have us believe that he dictates the terms of our professional status. Is it any wonder that several of those from Napo who were elected are the ones who have kept the professional light burning for our profession. Now is the time to support the PI and the values it stands for. Grayling wants it to limp along and fail so let's make sure he is disappointed.
ReplyDeleteA stout defence but flawed due to the lack of opposition to the split - for a start.
DeletePerhaps they will become more vocal about the professional difficulties the split has caused as I know that a growing number of those involved know how disastrous that has been. I am glad you are beginning to see that they are not the baddies. I trust you saw the Guardian article by Savas the interim Chief Executive of the PI in May 2014 http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/may/27/probation-reform-missed-opportunity He doesnt sound like Grayling's friend to me. Why don't you get involved Andrew and then make up your mind?
Deletewould you believe, I have a friend who worked as a PO for years until last year, and is now wanting to return to NPS but nearer home. Is there any particular regional office to contact, or just wait for adverts via Civil Service?
DeleteMy mind is made up - it is too late or too soon and it lacks integrity for not publicly denouncing the split. The PI does not depend one way or another on angry old buffers like me. I shall continue to scorn it until I see some intelligent public statements.
DeleteIt has had 15 months since Grayling first told the world of its existence so I am not optimistic of anything good coming collectively from the current Directors and staff.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-probation-institute-to-drive-expertise
I see I was wrong in my presumption about the limited powers of the representative council. Now I can access the website I read: -
"The Council will play an important role in the governance of the Institute including electing the Institute’s Directors"
http://probation-institute.org/representative-council-elected/
Having Napo and the words 'strongly represented' in the same sentence whilst lauding the PI is beyond parody. Tony
DeleteNapo is 'strongly represented' in the PI. Yet Napo has been so quiet in promoting PI. Why? To criticise either Napo or the PI is to be one of a handful of discontents, according to its stout defender. As complainants through the ages have heard: 'No one else has complained!'
DeleteThe claim that PI is not part of TR is a new twist on the truth, but then so was the rhetoric about Brutus being a reasonable man. The PI was a £90k indulgence by the MoJ to demonstrate its pseudo commitment to professional practice and development - to give credence to its TR agenda. But now we must separate these two events and understand there is no connection, just one of life's coincidences. Yet we are told, all they talk about within the walls of the PI are the evils of TR! The PI people are bridge-builders, busy building bridges, including toll bridges, I presume, that will, perhaps, bridge the spilt. In my jaundiced opinion the PI is a bridge too far. The PI is clearly enabling some tormented souls to 'move on' with their careers and you have to admire their powers of recovery in adapting to the new structures.
Might I suggest an amendment - a £150k indulgence?
DeleteFrom that initial press release on 3rd Dec 2013 - which is what comes 2nd in an internet search for " probation institute "
" The Ministry of Justice is to provide up to £90,000 towards the set-up costs for the Institute and work is under way for it to be operational by March 2014. The Probation Chiefs Association and the Probation Association are also jointly contributing £60,000 to the set-up costs. Future funding will be from membership subscriptions. "
I do not think the Probation Association or Probation Chiefs' Association were self funding and their contributions initially came from the MOJ!
It is possible the PI did not take up the whole £90K - though to my mind the issue is the principle - not the amount - the sequence of events as far as the announcement was concerned and the lack of integrity by not publicly opposing the split.
Very much agree with original comment, although Mr Hatton now blames PI for TR and it's now despicable. I think there's a chance to use it positively. The TR mess will fall whichever way it will. We have little control over that but the PI can be built into something that continues to develop an alternative national voice and doesn't have to be a MOJ lapdog. I believe it will be independent if we support it and work within it.
Deleteyup that is exactly what the PI is, AN ENABLER of TR.....
ReplyDelete"Following the recent recruitment to CA and PO posts across the Division the WPC agreed to extend the PO recruitment exercise to Stage 4 (open competition). The advert will appear on Civil Service Jobs shortly and all CRC employees can apply."
ReplyDeleteAs someone sifted into the NPS, despite a grievance being made and subsequently dismissed, I have one reply to anyone who wishes me to now help the NPS/NOMS out.
FUCK.
RIGHT.
OFF.
Should have read CRC. See what happens when you're incandescent with rage.
DeleteWhen they post the advert on Civil Service Jobs will they mention that CRC staff will lose all their accrued years of service if they apply for jobs in the NPS? That'd be several thousands of pounds in salary, potentially holiday and other benefits lost along the way... Not for me either!
DeleteMe three and I echo the sentiments of anon @ 18.49. I think they'll find many PO's will feel the same. It appears that they have not found the additional 500 PO's that Grayling claimed we had!
DeleteI too was put into our CRC and all I can say to echo the other posts is that the prats at the top ought to go back to school and learn how to do maths. It didn't take a genius to work out the numbers!!!For me, and 16 years in the job Im staying put and taking my chances within our CRC. We never asked for any of this but please think carefully before jumping from one to another.
DeleteI was allocated to the NPS during the shafting and if I'm being honest was, at the time, quite glad. I doubt I'd switch back to CRC, even if I could. However.....it just does not work. My own feelings are that additional staff are needed as frontline staff are applying for fancy new 'non-jobs' in the belief that they are climbing the management pole. I fear that what they do not realise is that once things stabilise, these jobs will be dissolved, and them with it. We need to remember that NOMS see us a Civil Servants first, and PO's second. If you are in the NPS, and are planning on applying for fancy new jobs, with great sounding titles, you need to ask yourself what will happen when these go! There was a lot a noise about CRC staff being sacked/laid off post TR. I think we are a lot more vulnerable, more so with the continual influx of TPO's who all want your job.
DeleteThinking on, rather than trying to climb that greasy pole for NOMS, why not just ask if there is another way of earning your 30 pieces of silver?
No, Anon 20:48, only AFTER share sale will those benefits be lost. Please read the Framework because staff must know their rights!!
Delete"only AFTER share sale will those benefits be lost" - erm... so what happened on 1st Feb then?
DeleteEven if those accrued rights aren't lost now, they will be soon, so let's not pretend that this isn't a huge problem for the NPS in recruiting experienced staff.
Absolute chaos in our CRC. We have been in chaos for so long we no longer know what normal looks like. Told to choose which area of work we want to be in but no information how we will be working. We have one week to transfer caseloads within the CRC. If the PI is unable to state the fundamental shambles of TR it does not matter how professional it may
ReplyDeleteappear it has nothing to offer anyone with any integrity. How can the PI hold values suggested by anon 16.03 when the Probation Service has been decimated. It will remain in the government pocket.
Regarding the the original blog posting, has any one seen a competency that requires senior leaders (sic) to mangle the English language? A five year old could communicate more clearly.
ReplyDeleteAmazingly one of the competencies for PO's is Caring ,
DeleteIs it past bedtime for the PI apologists or have they left us with disdain and a sense of their own righteousness whatever opposition there is to their despicable organisation?
ReplyDeleteIt's not a despicable organisation and nothing anyone will say will change your mind. We are still here and doing what we can.
DeleteThe PI perhaps represents what might be regarded as the remnants of the establishment within probation ie the bit Westminster really listens to. If you continue to ignore that fact then you are ignoring the realities of the world we live in which clearly suits some. The PI is the only credible connection we have at present to those in power and you are wishing it away. We need to engage more not less as Napo's thinkers and strategists know only too well .
DeleteWe are no apologising for the PI but rather defending its existence. It is growing and increasingly influential. It is also now attracting funding from a large variety of sources and tapping into funding streams that have long been available to similar institutes in the EU. There are some very smart and experienced people involved and they are in it for the long run. The smart money is on the PI.
DeleteAny evidence that 'Westminster listens'? Any evidence it listened to the probation establishment over TR. Maybe it's time the Napo thinkers and strategists went public with their thinking and share it with their member-led union, as it all sounds a bit elitist, what with smart people and smart money.
DeleteNever forget the context
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nationaldebtclock.co.uk/
I know there has been much criticism of the Framework agreement but please, please know the rights it confirms for you.
ReplyDeleteAnd please, be aware that the private organisations will do whatever they can to sidestep the rickety 'framework'. They have access to highly paid & 'creative' employment lawyers. Do not believe that terms & conditions are safe & secure. Just look at the 'creativity' applied to the tagging contracts, or the way Sodexo behaved when taking over HMP Northumberland, or the overt & covert flouting of rules relating to Work Programme contracts, the brazen & dismissive attitude to issues around conflicts of interest, or the tardy, lacklustre approach to JR by NAPO on behalf of members.
DeleteAt AGM in 2013 I voted for an institute with the expectation that a licence to practice would follow which would ensure the future professional standing of my vocation. The half arsed kite mark it seems to be offering is the opposite, and to my mind an insult. Instead of defending our professionalism it will see it diluted.
ReplyDelete