The astute amongst the regular readership will have noticed that the blog has not been functioning normally of late, the main reason being that I've been out of the country on holiday. I had hoped to keep tabs on things whilst away, as previously, but this has not proved technically easy and upon reflection, I found I actually wasn't bothered any more.
Now back home and sat on the sofa at two in the morning unable to sleep, I'm coming to realise that one result of taking a break has been to take stock of things and begin to decide if I really do want to carry on committing so much time and energy to a cause and venture that is so clearly lost and running out of steam? Contributions and information sources are drying up, ironically at the very time that media approaches are once again increasing in response to what I'm told is a routine lack of interest and engagement from Napo.
For the first time since qualifying as a probation officer my union membership has lapsed and rather worryingly, I don't think I'm minded to renew it. Despite regular suggestions that I'm anti-Napo, this has never been the case, but there comes a time when we must each individually consider if it really is worth the hassle, especially when the outfit is clearly dysfunctional and devoid of insight, let alone any sign of a willingness to change. I'm sure my absence from future AGMs will be well-received in certain quarters.
The recent discussions on Facebook regarding my selected re-publishing of anonymised contributions was no great surprise either and has served to remind me of the widespread and toxic climate of fear, bullying and intimidation prevalent through much of the profession post-TR. It's regrettable, but in view of the concerns expressed such valuable insights into the true situation will have to remain 'secret' and not available to the media and public - a situation that I'm sure will please many within the MoJ, HMPPS, CRC management and Napo to name but a few.
I'm conscious that since starting out people increasingly use smart phones to access the blog, rather than laptops and this medium really isn't conducive for long reads. The number and quality of contributions has changed considerably too with many people migrating to 'secret' Facebook groups, in many ways replicating the now defunct Napo Forum pages so disliked by the union hierarchy.
So, where is this all leading to? To be honest I'm not sure but I suspect the answer is a winding down and a personal gradual acceptance that nothing more can be done to stop probation's decline because there simply isn't a shared willingness or effective wherewithal to do otherwise. Actually I doubt there's even an acknowledgement of there being a problem in certain quarters given the increasingly prevalent 'new' breed of officer. But at least we've catalogued the journey, provided the audit trail and given some mutual support to each other along the way.
I'll continue to publish as and when I feel the situation warrants, but I suspect less frequently from here on in. As always, contributions are most welcome and I'll end by highlighting this article from the latest edition of the Probation Journal:-
Travelling in the wrong direction? A critical commentary on the consultation paper Strengthening Probation, Building Confidence
Abstract
The Ministry of Justice’s Consultation Paper – Strengthening Probation, Building Confidence – launched by Justice Secretary David Gauke in July 2018, represents a revisionist view of the recent history of the probation service in which many of its assertions are incoherent, disingenuous and disconnected from the lived realities of both those who offend and local communities having to deal with the impact of austerity on local services. In addition, the consultation process itself is disingenuous in that it presents the failure of the Transforming Rehabilitation initiative as one of technical oversights and misjudgements that can be put right through a series of relatively minor adjustments. Answers to the 17 consultation questions, however insightful and helpful they may be, will do nothing to deal with the underlying difficulties of Transforming Rehabilitation.
I will be sad to see the blog wind down but acknowledge the time and effort needed to keep it going. There are simply times when you have to think of yourself first. I have not been able to get into the secret Facebook page so this site has been invaluable and I will keep checking in for news. Thank you Jim.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have today off work Jim as you were awake so very early this morning. Self care is desperately important. All the best to you
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised you've kept going as long as you have. Like many others, when I realized my sense of civic duty was worth nothing in a CRC, I left. Poorer but happier, free of the shackles of mindless bureaucracy and arbitrary targets. If Corbyn is so inept he can't get his act together over Brexit, I doubt whether a Labour administration will prove to be Probation's salvation.
ReplyDeleteThere is a clear plan as discussed at the Labour Party conference. Corbyn knows what he is doing
DeleteI have no access go the Facebook pages you refer to. I am sure there are lots more who don't either.
ReplyDeleteThis blog has played a vital role for hundreds of us to share our thoughts and to let others know what us happening around the country.
I very much appreciate your hard work in keeping the blog going. Thank you Jim
I would be very sad to see this blog go as it has been invaluable to me through training, qualification and beyond. I have learnt so much and it is such a relief to be among likeminded people - the culture of fear in my office means that not a lot of people say what they think.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea how to access the FB groups so I would be lost if you go!
Like others I have been surprised you kept going so long.Let the others have what they think is left and promote some self care.Being awake in the early hours if you do not have to be does no one any favours.
ReplyDeleteTake care and enjoy the free time you are going to get
No one wants to your valiant efforts go. The fight is still going on... In parts however you backed the wrong leadership horses and actually propped the rot up in Napo.
ReplyDeleteThey are rotten in Napo but if you go Jimbo it means that Lawro will actually have all the leeway he needs without any objective reference to his wild and irreverent table thumping stand up(although he is short you cant notice) hackneyed speeches. I am reliably told he own a full size Elvis Presley white and gold jump suit with the Golden Eagle sequins on the cape. I understand he will be doing next AGM in the suit once there are no critics left and his ascent above all NAPO members of domination and power is complete.
DeleteWhat an image JIM we do not deserve this stay and protect the free speech and democratic way you encourage others that Lawro so despicably lies and hides.
Jim, thank you so much for all you have done. For many people you have been the only source of information whilst NAPO take our money and give nothing in return.
ReplyDeleteI also suspect that you have had to deal with other pressures that we are not aware of.
I understand how you feel and agree with the comments that you now need to put yourself first having provided such a brilliant service!
Thanks for a great job well done, thus far.
ReplyDeleteIf you do not renew your membership of Napo you will not retain access to the archive of the Probation Journal (and related publications) unless you subscribe via Sage Publishers or some other route - it maybe available as an academic journal via one of those online routes as well.
I had one of those almost "junk" mailings from Napo the other day - I am not quite sure what the main content was - but much of it was very similar to the sort of stuff I get with my Civil Service Motoring Association (or is their name actually "Boundless" - now?) type mailouts - blandishments to sign up for this that or the other and ger a wonder deal on a holiday, car or whatever.
I am truly sorry for what my intermittent contributions to Napo helped it become - I really took my eye of the situation after I retired - it seemed to be almost everything that I had wanted in the era of Judy McKnight - even though some of my aspirations for policy were not met.
Does the real decline of Napo date from the coming of CAFCASS and the first real split of probation work after Scotland went its own way in the late 1960s/early 1970s?
The big issue that was fudged was role boundaries & changing the name to Napo from National Ass...etc. Also why did we not come up with a more meaningful and less confusing name for a group of members than PSOs?
Thanks for keeping it going for now - might Jim Brown - one day "out" himself?
In earlier times leading probation characters were known by their names - I was going to make a list - but some in my list would be meaningless to many (or maybe the few who bother to read this) and I would forget some crucial folk from my era. Plus one person's hero is another's villain.
You mean junk e mails from the GS we all suffer that.
DeleteNo Anon at 14:53 I mean an envelope full of stuff delivered by Royal mail
DeleteYes and all that poorly written junk from the Napo leader. Total Ratners.
DeleteI hope it is the holiday blues Jim. I must admit to many times where I have thought about putting the anger and injustice I have felt about what has happened to the Probation Service, in particular the ill conceived and ideological assault upon it that was TR, aside. Yet when I try to let it be and move on the injustice, the incompetence, the adversity that it has caused for all to see bar the misty eyed ideologues still rankles with me. This blog has kept me informed, sometimes entertained and a means to express myself and vent. On the latter I am glad of the anonymity afforded as on rare occasion that venting has a expressed itself in an unfortunate way. But that is the glory of this blog, a document of the foul mess that our so called leading politicians have made and the raw emotion that has arisen in consequence. All documented here for all to see. I hope you are well and will continue.
ReplyDeleteI would be very sorry to see the demise of your blog, Jim. The culture of fear you comment on gives this blog a very special and valuable space for us all. I know a lot of trainee staff come here, and it provides a healthy counterpoint to what they are fed in their diminishing training. I am in awe of how you have kept this up, and self-care has to be your priority though. Very best wishes and gratitude
ReplyDeleteJim,
ReplyDeleteI note that today’s blog is entitled ‘holiday blues.’ I sincerely hope that is what you are suffering from today, and that it eventually passes.
Like yourself I have had a short spell away from work and will return next week already dreading trying to get the plates spinning again for no apparent reason.
If you decide to pack it all in, most people will understand but there is resistance out there, sadly it will be all the more difficult to organise or orchestrate for vital events like the recent GS ballot without a semi public forum.
I appreciate that one person can only do so much, and I appreciate the so much you have done. It is difficult fighting against one foe, the employer, without fighting supposed friends, NAPO,.
I have been a trade unionist all of my working life - that’s a long time, - and would be reluctant to relinquish my membership without having another union to transfer into, but NAPO leaves me cold and they appear oblivious to the views of the members as much as the members have decided not to participate in the union.
In short, I share your despair but hope it is transient. All best wishes for whatever you decide to do
Members do want to participate but we have to be realistic about how atrophied Nap central is with adequate intelligence levels. The leadership is now an all time low and they have engineered this farce.
DeleteSame as 837 in a nutshell. Don't blame you and as others have said self care is important.
ReplyDeleteFrom today's Napo newsletter to members 're Secondments of CRC staff to NPS
ReplyDeleteNapo, along with our sister unions UNISON and GMB, have registered major concerns following the news of arrangements to transfer staff on secondment from some Community Rehabilitation Companies to undertake NPS work due to the perilous financial position of the parent companies.
Whilst the unions obviously wish to explore all opportunities to avoid the possibility of redundancies within CRCs, the Unions have not been consulted centrally over the intended arrangements, which we are claiming should have been held under the auspices of the National Staff Transfer and Protections Agreement that was underwritten by Ministers at the time of Transforming Rehabilitation.
Rationale
In light of this unsatisfactory situation, the Probation unions formally registered our misgivings about the secondment arrangements, some of which have already commenced, at yesterday’s meeting of the NPS/Trade Union Engagement Forum.
Below are the key issues that we raised and on which we are demanding answers and urgent further discussion as we attempt to protect our member’s interests.
PI 50/2014 which expired in June this year, appears to be the basis of the secondment arrangements and whilst it is appreciated that there has been some local dialogue between CRC providers and unions, we would have expected central discussions to have taken place.
The failure to engage with the trade unions over the appropriate rates of pay for seconded staff who will be undertaking equal work of equal value is obviously our primary concern. We have pointed out the fact that CRC staff will be sitting next to NPS colleagues who will soon be in receipt of superior rates of pay as well as Agency Staff whose hourly rate is also likely to be much higher than those paid to CRC employees.
We have also questioned the potential impact on NPS Staff who may have suffered an unwelcome transfer under E3 from their previous location or who may be awaiting a Transfer request.
What happens next?
Senior NPS management have been left in no doubt that this is another example of inadequate consultation. We have also made the point that when CRCs previously made redundancies the NPS turned down the Union’s request for staff to be taken back in, but are happy to now agree secondment arrangements ‘on the cheap.’
Our National Officials will be advising the relevant CRC providers of our position while we await a response to these points, and especially the demand for Pay equity for CRC staff during the period of their secondment period whilst working within the NPS.
Advice to CRC members
As always, it is a matter of individual choice as to whether you decide to take up a secondment opportunity in the NPS on the terms being offered. Napo has an obligation to point out these important issues, especially our demand for pay parity for CRC staff undertaking work for another employer, albeit on a temporary basis.
Napo will keep you posted on developments once we have more news
Napo: "We have commanded the wind to cease & the waves to recede. We'll be in touch when everything has calmed down."
Delete"which we [the unions] are claiming should have been held under the auspices of the National Staff Transfer and Protections Agreement that was underwritten by Ministers at the time of Transforming Rehabilitation."
DeleteHave a look for yourself folks:
http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2014-0870/OMA_2007__Probation_Services__Staff_Transfer_Scheme_2014.PDF
Hope the original poster doesn't mind this repost. It seems the deluded unions believed the wind & the waves could be stopped by consent way back when:
Delete"Anonymous - 24 April 2014 at 14:06
The Unions are spineless and deaf as Grayling. I have voiced my opinions to Unison, who say they are not in dispute with the government due to the 7 year security they have got us. What they fail to understand is that deal is worthless as the paper its written on, any new owner can rip that deal up and draw up another one. I would love the whole service to walk out but its a far cry when they have already divided and ruled us. Mostly those that are assigned to NPS, feel a bit more securer and don't seem to want to rock the boat in fear of it backfiring on them."
And lo it came to pass... as we know & expected, the new owners ripped up the deal & rewrote history.
DeleteAnd thus we can appreciate the immense value of this blog. It is an important contemporaneous record of fact & opinion that can be accessed, referenced & referred to.
Jeez, Jim. Love you to bits, rate your contribution, but back off from Napo. I am Napo. I work my socks off in my facility time and out of it. The government have done a lot of things to fragment and disempower both the probation service and its union. Lets not play their game.
ReplyDeleteWhat..... I guess you warm the general secretary's slippers as well arh bless you. Get real what are you doing there is no punch in napo anymore under the current junta and lazy Lawro will be made up this week as Christmas really has come twice for him. An election win and now the blog on its way he will be pissing himself happy. Not so sure what happened to the court loser situation that he has hidden away.
Delete"Jeez Jim." Ah you are young and spunky and believe the fight is winnable. Good for you young Padwan. You probably have more time and energy than Good old Jim. Why don't you take the blog over? Jim Brown should be given all the Butler Trust cash for the next ten years for what he has done for us. An invaluable stress reliever this blog. A space to vent against injustice within our small but important service. Put you feet up Jim and let the young pups continue your well earned legacy. All the best mate. Sincerely.
DeleteActually, I think Jim and I are of an age and probation longevity. I agree absolutely that he should be given the Butler money, and a knighthood. I also agree a lot with what he says, but in a "lets pull this shit together" frame of mind, otherwise all we do is the governments work in dividing us . yrs etc "Jeez Jim"
Deletehttp://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2018/november/interserve-facilities-management-fined-for-safety-failings.htm
ReplyDeleteA facilities management contractor has been fined after multiple safety failings at a laboratory site for the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency in Weybridge.
DeleteHove Crown Court heard how, on Sunday 21 September 2014, mains power was lost at the site which includes high containment laboratory facilities required to safely handle high hazard pathogens that are a serious risk to human health and the environment.
Interserve Facilities Management Ltd was contracted to the site and was responsible for delivery of maintenance activities for many of the mechanical and electrical systems required for containment and control of high hazard biological agents in microbiological containment laboratories.
The court heard that when mains power was lost, of the twelve generators in place to supply emergency power to the site, two failed to operate and two started but subsequently failed in operation, one of which also caught fire.
The emergency escalation system was triggered, and the Fire and Rescue Service attended the site. Power was fully restored later that day.
As a result of the emergency generator failures, the court was told all power was lost to a number of high containment facilities for several hours, affecting the site’s safety systems.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found a number of failings of the contractor in relation to the maintenance activities undertaken on standby generators that could have resulted in employees being exposed to a risk of harm from biological agents.
Interserve (Facilities Management) Ltd of Capitol Tower, Waterloo Road, London, pleaded guilty to breaching section 3(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and have been fined £93,600 and ordered to pay £32,056 costs.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Intervention Programme Manager and lead investigator in the case, Dr Keith Stephenson said: “Interserve Facilities Management failed to effectively maintain the standby generators that were a key emergency control measure needed to work safely.
"Fortunately, the consequences of the multiple generator failures were significantly reduced by the timing of the incident, both in terms of the day of the week and the laboratory studies being undertaken at that time.
"Had the incident happened on a different day or when different studies were being undertaken, staff and the nearby environment could have been exposed to high hazard biological agents with serious consequences.”
Interserve buy cheap and risk your lives . Great Tory ideology .
Delete