Latest From Napo 126

On the eve of an important NEC meeting (lets hope it's quorate), here we have edited highlights from the latest General Secretary's blog:-

Operational chaos means a greater focus on health, safety and wellbeing

Over the last week Napo has been seeking urgent action with different employers over a range of issues where the impact of excessive workloads on the health of our members has featured highly.

Firstly, the intention by NOMS to implement the appalling CSEP attendance management policy. This is another of those Cabinet Office driven policies that are written by people with absolutely no idea about the realities of life at the front face and how the continual pressure of unrealistic and downright unsafe caseloads lead to stress, anxiety and, by the way, a general breakdown in the individuals immune system which inexorably leads to the likelihood of absence from the workplace.

Whilst never forgetting that many manager members are under similar pressure themselves that does not excuse the small minority who compound matters by the overzealous use of such policies to berate and discipline some of our members as illustrated by the types of cases that are referred to our team of National Representatives.

In the NPS, despite the incremental introduction of 600 newly qualified Probation Officers, we are still seeing large numbers of vacancies and breathtaking allocations in some areas. We will shortly be signalling our opposition to the introduction of this policy so whilst it is correct to say it has been discussed with the unions, that’s a world away from it being agreed, which it most definitely is not, and will not be in its present form.

Wellbeing is an issue across CRC’s as well, as they struggle to deliver contractual requirements against a backdrop of some extremely dodgy data that was provided to them at the time of the share sale and, in some cases abject chaos as a result of the weighted annualised volumes and the extremely dodgy operating models that they have and are trying to implement.

Members will know that the probation unions are currently engaged through ACAS in a dispute with Aurelius /Working Links over staffing and operations in their three CRC’s, and whilst I will respect the fact that we cannot publish the exchanges that have been going on, it’s fair to say that during the most recent talks we have been pressing the issue of workload management and the health and wellbeing of our members against the demands being made of them.

Before anyone in the senior Aurelius/Working Links team throw their toys out, it’s hardly a surprise that Napo will want to raise these issues as it’s our obligation to do so and the least that our members would expect. For the problem goes well beyond the parameters of the above dispute and is something that local JNCC reps should be raising at CRC and NPS Divisional levels as part of the directive from our AGM to step up the workloads campaign.

As always, we cannot do everything from the centre; and while our members have quite understandably not yet shown their indignation in the same way as POA members recently have by walking off the job, I would caution senior management anywhere of complacency. Just so that I am clear, the law says that Napo must deprecate all forms of unofficial action, so I deprecate it in advance of it spontaneously happening somewhere, someday.

Meanwhile we will be factoring in the workload and wellbeing issue as part of our review of Napo’s draft strategic plan on which I am hoping that tomorrow’s meeting of your National Executive Committee will have some useful input to offer.

AP staffing shambles

E3 has been a tough ask for our NPS members in any number of work streams and despite the no redundancy agreement and 3 year pay protection, there has been and still is, considerable angst among many members about the impact of NOMS ‘more for less’ agenda.

Approved Premises is a clear example of how the race to outsource night waking cover possibly to the likes of trusty contenders such as SERCO and G4S has caused a huge problem in terms of more people than necessary being shoved into scope for TUPE, while Band 2 residential worker opportunities are posted on the Civil Service recruitment page.

While many staff prepare grievances we are trying very hard to engage with NOMS to stop this nonsense. As usual it will be hard to stave off the threat of privatisation without some industrial action, but as always we will respond to any demands for a legal ballot. Meanwhile perhaps a more constructive approach might be an additional annex to the E3 implementation agreement to deal with the unique situation of AP’s that the E3 blueprint failed to address despite the unions warning of problems ahead.

--oo00oo--

Last week Napo HQ drew members attention to this on the website:-

Contact your local MP with your concerns about the NPS or CRC

Napo East Midlands Branch members are running a campaign to contact their local MPs and raise the key issues for staff in both the NPS and the CRC. Other branches are urged to pick up the campaign in their local area and a model letter has been drafted to assist.

The letter can be used by all members and amended where appropriate. Please add your own personal testimony as this will ensure that you get your MP's attention. Make sure you use your home address, not your office and do not use headed paper. It will only take a few minutes but with enough members sending the letter you can make a real impact.

Dear ……..

I am currently employed by XXX Community Rehabilitation Company / National Probation Service (delete as appropriate) and I am based in the xxx office. I am writing to you to raise my concerns about the current state of probation services in your constituency and the negative impact this is having on me as a member of staff, the service users we work with and the community as a whole. I have outlined below a few of the key issues we are currently facing.

Workloads with the xxx (CRC or NPS) have now become unmanageable. My own caseload stands at xxxx (insert figure and/or hours of work). This is having a direct impact on the service I am able to provide and staff are being forced to cut corners and spend less time with service users as a result. I do not feel we as an organisation can provide the level of service required to actively reduce re-offending rates in our local area or protect the public from potential risk of harm. On a personal level (insert how it is impacting on you in terms of stress).

The ICT systems we have to work with are not fit for purpose and further hamper our attempts to deliver quality services and to work effectively. This is adding the high stress levels and low morale amongst staff and further impact on our workloads as we are forced to duplicate work that has been lost or are unable to work while the systems are inoperable.

Since the part privatisation of probation staff, myself included, have done our utmost to try to make the service work but we now feel that the systematic failures are such that we are reaching a crisis point. Whilst we have raised these issues with our employers, no solutions have yet been found, nearly two years later. A culture of blame is now endemic in the service and staff are expected to deliver a Gold Standard service without the infrastructure and support in place to do so.

I would be most grateful if you could raise this issue as a matter of urgency both in the House of Commons and with the Justice Select Committee who are currently investigating the Transforming Rehabilitation programme.

Yours Sincerely,