Napo At Work in the South West 16

Time to take a short break from worries over TR2 and return to news and views from Napo in the South West:-

Napo SSW Branch report 25 

Dear Napo members,

Those of you who have been waiting for the Government announcement today will in some part be celebrating the news of the contracts to be ended two years early. Be in no doubt for the DDC area Working Links had already failed to manage anything properly and without this bailout would certainly have been ditched, sued and foreclosed on by Aurelius, their parent company who had already started proceedings to ensure they had grip on anything left.

It’s a pity this news provides a stay of execution for Working Links as they no doubt breathe a sigh of relief as they survive. Another huge waste of public money to keep them going. The reason for the failing Government policy and continued patching up of the TR disaster is because there is no plan B. I met with Chris Grayling during his duplicitous tour of the West Country areas and despite all efforts to insist on piloting change he set a course to sea without any life boats. He bluffed his way on about the usual post release rubbish and we are where we are, despite knowing it will all be a failure.

As your branch chair and being responsible for protection of your terms the recruitment drive to engage post 2014 contracted staff must be begin as we shall want to ensure all staff are carried through into re engagement post the contract ending with Working Links. If you are reading this in the DDC area and not a member of Napo join now or make contact with the chair of the branch to ask in detail why you need to. I say this confidently as we have spent some considerable time looking at the future potentials. In this regard bringing contracts in early is because they have not delivered nor are they ever likely to able to. We should ignore all the rubbish about spin, about any success and celebrate the fact that not one of the contractors or private sector muscle is going to cry foul and start arguing over lost profits and the so-called clauses of protection. Why not? Because the private sector, in their clamour to manage big, ended up by simply demonstrating they cannot manage at all! In defiance of what is obvious this broken policy continues to peddle ideology of private sector in the running of the probation services but read between the lines it will not be anything like it is now.

1. Firstly new contracts

2. Return to face to face offender management. (Vindicating our SSW branch\region dispute over the Working Links incompetent service design model). Also noted in the recent Justice committee report.

3. Approximately 8 newly co terminus contracted areas. TBA

4. Wales to be independent and free of the mantra of the Working Links Way. (Wales can cheer as they are no longer to be phrased as Working Links “Our People”)

Members will know this was foreseen by NAPO in our reporting and a while back when we stated in a branch report update

sadly the collusion to keep the CRCs limping home to end of the unlikely to be renewed contract period might be the only way to save their remaining reputation for what is increasingly becoming another government public services negligent farce. By the way has anyone ever seen a real contract manager who knows what that actually means?

The indication from Working Links themselves this year is worth noting again and their desire to quit before contract time ends is welcome news, and we have reported on this, the only difficulty is that WL are not able to quit their toxic contract . Foolish arrangement to be in really and they have to fund the costs to get out should they try. All said I cannot see the government bailing them out this early even though the remainder of the contract is now on a declining curve. NAPO looks forward to assisting in the acceleration of the contract ending should this become a real potential.

Napo SSW is pleased to report that we have made efforts and continue to do so to see the contracts ended early. We have led on many campaign fronts

⦁ The regional dispute
⦁ The Parliamentary evidence
⦁ Plymouth Council motion
⦁ Campaign of role protections.
⦁ Non variations on our contracts roles and terms.
⦁ Collation of the catalogue of secrets public risk issues failures and collusion's of the Working Links way.
⦁ Non-compliance with lawful requirements in relation to health and safety vehicles and a range continued failings.

and we will continue to do so. The future question is not whether we face another contracted period but with who. Working links have not been able. We intend to test and ensure new or winning contractors are fit or suitable to be considered should they want to contract into a further bidding round. Whatever happens next few years our Napo members will need to have our terms continue to be protected and a reboot on the National staff transfer issues will yet again be on the agenda. This time round I will want to ensure with National Napo the grief and lessons learnt from the past abuses from the Working Links way and nationally that contracted out arrangements actually ensure no changes to staffing or their terms. Again, non-members join Napo now.

In relation to Wales, we celebrate their great fortune to formally have an end date to rid themselves of the drain of the Working Links cash grabbing way. Well in so far as case management at least!!! It is a start however. We know from recent talks that the risk to divide interventions away from casework relationships is another nail in the box for the end of probation as we know it. We will all appreciate the alarm this will cause to interventions staff in programmes and unpaid work. Disappointingly and incredibly, National Napo briefings fail to acknowledge properly this further sub division and obvious small sweetener to keep Working Links onside for the moment.

Sadly we may lose the oversight of the recently appointed Probation justice leader Dawn Blower. Napo regionally was hopeful that Dawn’s more reasoned style and approach might have helped in further dialogue as we all work more effectively to protect staff from the continued excesses of the Working Links failing way. I am sure the demands of the Wales reintegration will dominate attention and see the full PO compliment of staff return to their professional duties within a collegiate group and re-bond within the public sector proper. Then Wales can finally jettison the case management aspects of the private contract mess.

Well done to them.

What that means for our region is that we will see the Working Links contract waning initially and whether Working Links Aurelius want to stay in the game, re invest and actually try and convince this government that they could manage a bigger area in a new arrangement, yes of course wanting more money! Oh no, Napo will work collectively to ensure this is not a likely potential. The SSW branch remains committed to ensuring the reinstatement of public service ownership whatever it takes. This includes the retention of intervention workers.

The plans whatever they become, may all just be aspirational if we get a change of government.

Michael Spurr has also written today to all staff. This is a carefully scripted letter of MOJ spin. A classic example of how the seniority want us to perceive things whilst we can all see the plain truth. The Justice committee report in June has spelled it out yet Mr Spurr neglects to mention it at all. The common thread here is that leaderships are better able to lead when they understand they need their followers to want to be led. At no point does Mr Spurr appear to appreciate that spin over substance just won’t wash any longer. The current situation remains in crisis and the future plan with continued contracts will be just as toxic. If you do not learn from being burnt once what chance have we? I hope then at least we won’t have the same people at that authority level. Whatever, Mr Spurr could easily have understood to mention a closer and much needed new approach to work carefully with the unions, in regard to all matters and in particular the growing and obvious need to restore national collective bargaining on pay if the so called intermix of staff is to work in any way.

In the meantime, members, the slippery slope for the end of the Working Links way for probation work has just received a push in the right direction. The end of their regime, the sooner the better, may well yet see continued deprivations and attacks on staffing positions increase in search of more money for Aurelius and shareholders, seeing the end of the publicly funded gravy train. They are in a declining contract period and may well want all that remains. That said we would like to see our staff reinstated into decent offices, placed back in our NPS facilities to re-engage our professional standards across all aspects of work. Also within the next year of 2019 work through an agenda that minimises any further damage that their management and model has reaped on the wellbeing and job securities of our highly skilled staff. There is more to come as I will be reviewing the Justice committee report shortly.

Napo National elections

The names have been published of our potential new National officers group for the next two years of NAPO. Obviously, we have different employers with the ridiculous failings of the inept and incompetent situation of the CRCs and the slightly better but woeful examples of practice from the NPS in their approaches to staff and Trade Unions. Please consider this should not be a factor as you vote for the best candidate that we need urgently to start the regeneration of Napo’s fortunes. 

We must have a change in direction away from the recent moves to reduce branch member led engagements. The bureaucratic technocratic heralding that feeds the mis-direction of our once strong and solid member led Union. 

The General Secretary election is now over and this branch supported Ian Lawrence for many reasons. He has been a loyal active participant in the dispute against the worst experiences of the Working Links way. He has worked collaboratively with me in our branch executive and kept onside sister territories BGSW and Wales. This unified defence against the ongoing failings of the Working Links way. Ian has attended many local branch meetings and our AGM and professional debates for the past 3 years and is on first name terms with most of our branch. Not only for the support we have received but the genuine attempts that Ian has demonstrated in the dispute to work to our betterment despite the appalling situations our members continue to face. Enough of the detail now, I will shortly be writing up the issues from the Parliamentary TR investigation recommendations and in a future branch report details on the continued falling short by miles of the Working Links way.

For now let me publicly congratulate Ian on the overwhelming vote to his victory. His re-election saves Napo funds a considerable settlement figure despite what other misinformed people may have said. Which is irrelevant as Ian stood to win and he tells us to “complete his mission” on the restoration for probation back to public ownership. This involves the resolve pay deprivation, a fair deal on workloads, professional status and the ongoing matters that continually unfold this current TR mess. 

To assist Ian in that process we have to look carefully at the skills of his support team. It is NAPO members’ responsibility to ensure we collectively vote for the best able candidates and their experience. I have been around Napo circles for a long while in many roles. I was a Vice Chair for 4 years and had many challenging duties in the difficulties Napo faced internally. The job of Chair is demanding, travel has its burdens but we need a mature able candidate who has appropriate skills and background of demonstrating representing members first hand. Dealing with controversy able to withstand pressure and maintain the agenda for member’s needs. Being appropriately trained and hold some recognised qualification like the Diploma in Employment Law really helps. The two candidates for Chair in this election illustrates to my knowledge there is only one who could deliver what our Union requires in this difficult time. The strength to change Napo’s direction and restore member recruitment retention and activism is led in major part, by the Chair. We have seen 4 years of the incumbents deliver little that we can see as what is required in fact it has been detrimental to many. The Union’s strength is obvious when we are properly led and listened to. The SSW branch support Denise Mason’s election campaign and I would urge you strongly to look carefully when it is time to vote. I will be reporting on election matters throughout the summer. 

The Vice Chair’s role also requires engagement to help stem leaving members while recruiting and they have to manage the Union business. It is not a role for the lucky and the workshy. Part time often requires sacrifices and long travel for Vice chairs. Our very own branch JNCC representative Denice James is standing for this important role. This branch has nominated Denice and she has experienced first-hand the decline in professional standards caused by Working Links CRC. The Working Links way has seen a valueless organisation. Their games during failed ACAS talks where they will not return to is part of their smoke and mirrors approach to anything they have a contractual responsibility. No attempts to engage meaningfully the management of professional staff and our terms and conditions. Denice has seen the decimation of standards and quality while we all look on at the failing targets. 

The lack of staff, lack of resources whilst the money to fund the CRCs has been funnelled out the back door to Aurelius. This parent company of the Working links failings way, will not declare the truth on the 4 million plus bail out they pocketed last summer. Denice James is angry that the CRCs approach has been unfair without principle and focuses solely on their cash for targets agenda. Their poorly managed government contract which is useless, as we see the Working Links way has failed to reduce any offending rates and in fact have increased, clinging on to the hope of yet more bail out money, while implementing the flawed and criticised by the select committee telephone contact reporting model. Another example of gross errors of this government policy. Denice James has a good record in the branch, she is principled with integrity, is not afraid to direct and lead and would be a great asset to the NAPO top table ensuring our General Secretary and officials do the job members actually require. Denice has good hands on experience in negotiations and supporting members against the weighted indifference of the current regime. This will be understood by many voting members in the CRCs and NPS and voting for Denice James is a vote for change. Do not miss this opportunity. 

The other best candidate for the two National Vice Chairs and for the change agenda is Robbie Bourget from Thames Valley NPS. Also a probation officer but with a long pedigree of Union involvement. Robbie has experience in representation JNCC negotiations NEC and sub committees over many years. Robbie has a natural style of engagement and is able to focus members concerns to directly benefit them through NAPO policies and representation. Napo has been well supported by Robbie’s upfront style and direct approach. A seasoned Napo activist and a member of Napo who will be a solid supportive advocate of genuine Napo values. Robbie has always maintained a Napo role during her service and is well able to meet the challenges for future of likely turmoil as the select committee report starts to make an impact on this governments inward thinking. Voting for Robbie as another of the two Vice Chair roles will be a vote for change and member led union values.

Napo has lost too much ground on terms and conditions across many activities. Reducing our a Union to a position without collective bargaining and no dispute with the employer? A critical failure to maintain central collective bargaining. Walking away from staff transfer protections collective agreement without a legal challenge is just not delivering any fight at all. Job evaluations in the NPS that has seen the decline in pay awards and reducing any chance of winning re-gradings. Again, no dispute? 

The Judicial review situation has never been made formally clear to members. It is a growing list and we will all have our own views but this election is a real chance to be involved in that change agenda and for the betterment of your futures, your pay, your terms and your member led branch activists. To hold the roles you need should the worst happen and to ensure we stave off the move to a technocratic styled Union that will issue your representational needs through a computer type approach with a formula of ticking the box and Napo will send you an electronic pre-formatted advice sheet. Good luck with that, do it yourself approach, unless you vote for change.

Dino Peros
Napo SSW Branch Chair.