Guest Blog 61

The Joys of Learning the E3 Way

How many of you will remember attending interesting and stimulating training sessions, which in some cases, changed the way we worked together and with clients; and in some cases, changed how we viewed the world of Criminal Justice. A fond memory is that of the 'M62 Club' or more correctly known as the Forensic Psychiatric Interest Group. 

I learned so much and networked with other professionals across psychiatric provision and the secure hospitals, from Leeds to Manchester, Prestwich and Liverpool. Those were the days of enlightenment. However, now as a member of the Civil Service, I find myself wondering what in-service training and development is all about?

Now, bear in mind that we are discouraged from visiting prisons, even when just down the road, or doing any unnecessary journeys in our cars, due to the cost implications, I was completely thrown by the distances I may have to travel in order to complete mandatory training.

Much of this training starts with a boring and tedious on line interactive test, following the completion of a work book. Mandatory training in Adult/Child Safeguarding, and Domestic Abuse are then scored, and once passed, you need to secure a place in a classroom, presumably to build on what appears to be very basic theories and principles.

We seem to be receiving continuous requests by e-mail to complete this learning; and due to warnings that we are being watched, to see how many of us are actually accessing equip and other Civil Service sites, I decided I needed to give it a whirl. So a group of us, one of whom had successfully negotiated their way through the Civil Service site, onto the 'catalogue' we searched for a vacancy on the 2 day course. 

We work in a Northern Town so we deliberately looked for venues within our reach, ie within a 100 mile radius given it is a journey to be made on two consecutive days. The nearest, was 50 miles away, but it was full; and when we reviewed all available northern venues, they were all full. The available dates, up until January 2017, were all between 200 - 400 miles round trip, not in my opinion suitable to join, without the need for an overnight stay.

Now, don't get me wrong, I appreciate the need to keep up to speed with events, theories and practice, and to be accountable for my own learning, practice and responsibilities. However, I question the wisdom and the ethics of a system of personal development, which seemingly inefficiently runs at the expense of front line work - the bread and butter, our raison d'etre' including face to face people work, engaging with clients, their families and their communities.

--oo00oo--

An example of the daily nonsense within NPS:-

National Delius Release 3.1 Training

Introduction

Colleagues; NPS ICT Training Specialist supported teleconference briefings to support Release 3.1 have commenced.

Briefing Schedule

Briefings via telephone conferences have been scheduled to take place from the 2nd through to the 16th September 2016. The following training sessions are available to book onto Nationwide:

Region Type Times

All NPS Divisions from 01.09.16 Telephone Conference/Presentation 09:30-10:30
Telephone Conference/Presentation 11:00-12:00
Telephone Conference/Presentation 15:00-16:00

On Line Self Learning

Additionally I am pleased to announce that if you are unable to join any of the above an alternative is now available via an on-line ‘self learning’ interactive powerpoint presentation, which can be used on your own to familiarise yourself with the changes.

How do I book onto the Training?

Telephone Conference Bookings should be made by Line Managers using Phoenix via OLM (Oracle Learning Management). Information on booking is detailed below. On-line ‘Self Learning’ can be accessed by selecting “NDelius R3.1” and clicking on the following link: 

Information for Managers:

1. Log into Phoenix
2. Select Manager Self Service
3. Select the relevant staff member to be booked onto the training
4. Select Manage Learner Action
5. Click on Catalogue in the top right
6. Select National Probation Service (NPS)
7. Select Local Training (and not National Training)
8. Select Next Page until you find NPS (Local) – Local Staff Development
9. Select NPS (Local) – Local Staff Development and select either:

NPS (Local) – Local Staff Development – Briefing (These are for teleconferences)

10. Click on the relevant Course (eg MSS NPS IT – NDelius Rel 3.1 TeleConf)
11. Click Enrol on the right next to the course chosen
12. Click Review
13. Click Submit

Further details on accessing and using OLM can be found on My Services

What happens next?

Those members of staff that have enrolled on a supported teleconference, Joining Instructions will be sent to you prior to the telephone conference training which will include the following:

Details of conference call number for Tele-conferencing training;
How to Join and Rules of Tele-conferencing;
Quick tips on how to View/Print and follow a powerpoint presentation.

For further advice or assistance - Contact your Divisional NPS ICT Training Specialist(s) at: ICT.Training[your division]@probation.gsi.gov.uk