We will all recall that as a result of vociferous collective bargaining and pleading by the CRCs the MoJ had to stump up a mountain of extra cash in the form of 'bungs' in order to try and keep the whole sorry mess afloat. Even so, Working Links collapsed and had to be bailed out. News is now coming in from a number of sources regarding possible redundancies in the areas run by the Reducing Reoffending Partnership in Staffordshire & West Midlands CRC and Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire & Rutland CRC.
Apparently SWM & DLNR are looking for 40 plus redundancies from UPW and the Contact Centre, some by the end of December, some by the end of January and the remainder by the end of March. It would seem to be accepted that the Contact Centre system has failed and UPW is moving away from groups to placements, even though it is not possible for some clients to undertake placements. SPO grades, admin and supervisors are all said to be on 'at risk' notice.
Apparently SWM & DLNR are looking for 40 plus redundancies from UPW and the Contact Centre, some by the end of December, some by the end of January and the remainder by the end of March. It would seem to be accepted that the Contact Centre system has failed and UPW is moving away from groups to placements, even though it is not possible for some clients to undertake placements. SPO grades, admin and supervisors are all said to be on 'at risk' notice.
There is a feeling in some quarters that RRP have never really understood UPW and its effective delivery with supervision groups regularly overloaded and attenders sent home if too many turn up, thus undermining staff trying to encourage people to complete their UPW hours. There is also a suspicion that this cost-saving decision might be connected to the ageing van fleet and the need for replacement.
It will be appreciated that this news is deeply upsetting for all involved, especially at this time of year, and there is growing concern regarding the handling of the process such as timely union notification and possible one-to-one meetings before proper consultation. It's understood that Union advice is that staff should not have one-to-one meetings or phone calls without Union representation. Staff are understandably shocked, upset and question their employers concern for their well-being.
This news will undoubtedly bring back unpleasant memories of the original TR 'shafting' processes and the subsequent job losses and it's to be hoped this is not the start of something similar prior to NPS integration and the new outsourcing contracts for UPW and programmes.
--oo00oo--
A view just in:-
"Not enough UPW orders? Or moving towards zero hours contracts? Or just too greedy? Perfect timing as ever - put staff under preXmas stress at a time of political hiatus with GE just around the corner. Prepare the shareholders & senior mgmt in case you need to do a smash'n'grab, e.g. a change of Govt."
--oo00oo--
A view just in:-
"Not enough UPW orders? Or moving towards zero hours contracts? Or just too greedy? Perfect timing as ever - put staff under preXmas stress at a time of political hiatus with GE just around the corner. Prepare the shareholders & senior mgmt in case you need to do a smash'n'grab, e.g. a change of Govt."
Are these FTE posts? If so the redundancies could be much higher as there are numerous 2 and 3 day contracted employees throughout SWM and DLNR.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the Tories have decided to renew their tough on crime mantra as an election tactic, there's been much focus in the past year on reducing the prison population by imposing more community based punishments.
ReplyDeleteReducing the amount of UP work available would seem to stand against that push for more community based punishments.
Its my personal belief that if there are redundancies to come in UP work then it's a precursor to UP work being primed for outsourcing.
If the intention is to outsource offending behaviour programmes after reunification, then UP work is likely to be part of that package.
If the focus of UP work is to become more placement based, then it becomes a far more lucrative attraction for outsourcers. Paid to find placements, paid to monitor progress, paid to keep timesheets, paid to spot check placements, and paid again for the outcome when the period of UP work expires, all achieved with a reduced workforce, and reduced expenses.
The reunification of probation is I think a good thing, but it's not the end of privatisation and outsourcing.
Just for fun.
https://m.facebook.com/bbccomedy/videos/10155552204996778/
'Getafix
This breaks my heart. I grew up as a Probation Officer from my start in Community Service. It was a values driven, rehabilitative thing then. Magistrates used to call by the projects we ran to see what was happening. The workers were encouraged to derive satisfaction from and pride in, the work they did. I could cry. I do cry sometimes. Community Service was a tangible, credible, positive shop window and ambassador for the more intangible work of probation. It was also a great proving ground for nascent probation officers. What a blummin disaster, and what a mess we are in.
DeleteKeep an eye on Wales. Their (partial) reunification is rolling out on 2nd December. Unpaid Work and Interventions to be remarketed, so its no reunification. And what is reunified is in the civil service. Centralised, beaurocratic and risk averse. Timescale short, I predict a Wales Probation omnishambles.
DeleteMeanwhile, confirmation that the Conservatives are becoming the party of the working class, whilst Labour / Lib Dems are the party of the upper classes. Thus truly will be a redefining election.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/uk-opinion-polls-conservative-party-to-win-more-support-from-working-class-voters-than-upper-class-a4286956.html
False news. One poll ('ware polls in this atmosphere, and 'ware single polls reported in a paper run by a Tory) and no mention of Labour or Lib Dems being the party of the !upper classes".
DeleteI work for RRP and believe me, they are not the benign organisation they portray themselves to be. Staff and service users are mere commodities to them. They fail to understand the true value of probation, this was eloquently underlined by our CEO Adam Hart in his messages to the troops on pay parity with the NPS 'you are no longer Probation staff so will not be paid as such' - no pay rise this year (again) and an embargo on mileage, photocopying and the £20 xmas meal bung that staff have enjoyed in previous years. Nice to be so valued !!!
ReplyDelete'you are no longer Probation staff so will not be paid as such'
Delete"Adam joined the Reducing Reoffending Partnership as CEO in October 2017 to lead the delivery of probation services across the UK Midlands.
Previously, he was the Managing Director of APM UK – an organisation delivering services in health, employability, skills, justice and youth markets. He has also held the positions of CEO in Capita’s Defence business, COO of their Probation business, and Steria’s emergency services operation."
Listed below is the full membership of the RRP Board – with primary titles – which includes:
Jack Sawyer, CEO of Ingeus UK
Jack Sawyer - Jack commenced his career at Ingeus in 2004 as a Performance Delivery Manager, going on to become Regional Director for London and East of England, before being appointed Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining Ingeus Jack spent three years working for the National Express Transport Group in various management roles and worked for the Notting Hill Housing Group as Head of Customer Services.
Greg Meyerowitz, APM Group Finance Director
Adam Hart, CEO of RRP
Rob Owen, CEO of St Giles Trust
Mark Moody, CEO of CGL
SWM CRC is owned by the Reducing Reoffending Partnership (RRP), a joint venture partnership consisting of CGL, Ingeus and St Giles Trust. RRP also owns Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottingham and Rutland (DLNR) CRC.
Why would RRP be in so much trouble with backers like this?
DeletePrivate equity group Quadrant has quietly closed one of the biggest purchases of a WA private company with a $400 million-plus deal for national disability services provider APM.
The sale of a majority stake to Quadrant has catapulted APM’s (Advanced Personnel Management) founder and managing director, former occupational therapist Megan Wynne, up the ranks of WA’s rich list.
The terms of the deal have not been disclosed but it is believed the sale valued APM at more than $400 million.
Regulatory filings show Ms Wynne and her husband, Perth reproductive biologist Bruce Bellinge, retain 40 per cent of APM, with Quadrant dividing its new 60 per cent stake between several of its investment funds.
PwC advised APM on the deal, while EY acted for the buyer.
Ms Wynne said Quadrant’s financial backing would enable APM, which employs 1700 people in Australasia and Britain, to pursue growth opportunities and chase more market share.
A year after Quadrant took the stake, this happened:
DeleteWA disability employment company APM has doubled in size and expanded its footprint to 10 countries after buying a firm that was once owned by former prime minister Kevin Rudd’s wife Therese Rein.
The acquisition of Ingeus, which Ms Rein founded 30 years ago and sold to America’s Providence Services in 2014, means APM will be responsible for the employment of more than 5500 people around the world.
The Perth firm part-owned by WA rich listers Megan Wynne and husband Bruce Bellinge will turn over about $800 million a year after taking over Ingeus’ government-sponsored employment programs in Britain, the US, Canada, South Korea, Germany, Switzerland, Singapore and Spain.
APM’s local operations will get bigger through the addition of Ingeus’ Australian arm, Assure Programs.
A cynic might suggest RRP have successfully mopped up the public cash the Tories threw at them and are now winding up the business, clearing the decks in advance of a lucrative disappearing act.
DeleteCompanies House show that on 24 Oct 2019:
DeleteIngeus Europe Ltd
Ingeus UK Ltd
Invisage Ltd
ITL Training Ltd
RRP Ltd
DLNR CRC Ltd
SWM CRC Ltd
have jointly submitted a deed of supplemental group debenture as Chargors, with CBA Corporate Services (NSW) PTY as security trustee.
As a simpleton I take it that means they have all surrendered assets to CBA Corporate Services to raise money.
Have a look at the Commonwealth Bank webpage:
(https://www.commbank.com.au/corporate/solutions/capital-raising-and-lending/agency-trustee-services.html)
"How does a syndicate of lenders share in any security that is provided to secure a syndicated loan?
We provide Security Trustee services which means that CBA Corporate Services (NSW) Pty Ltd will hold the security for and on behalf of all lenders. Although CBA Corporate Services (NSW) Pty Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Commbank, it acts independently of the bank as lender and takes its instructions from the whole syndicate of lenders in relation to how it deals with that security."
Has the Justice Secretary approved this in respect of the publicly funded assets of DLNR & SWLM CRCs?
Sounds a bit like the Working Links/Aurelius scenario...
I started in 2017 on the PQiP and qualified this year. Understanding UPW was not part of the curriculum. I've also had enough and am actively looking to leave - I'm done.
ReplyDeleteFrom Twitter:-
Delete"I’ve met several newly qualifieds who are leaving / have left. Most didn’t have sufficient training on how programmes are an essential part of a sentence either. The service is falling apart."
From Twitter:-
Delete"CS is pretty much the most tangible and worthwhile aspect of probation. It could be the cornerstone of the new probation if run locally and by the experience officers who know the field in side out. CS can be linked in with educational qualifications and as licence conditions."
From Twitter:-
Delete"I find these stories very disheartening.I left after 15 years, but I had excellent TPO training & some great work experience. It was only the last few years which finally wore me out. So to last only 2 years into a career, shows how awful an environment probation must have become."
From Twitter:-
Delete"I trained many years ago, I have a CQSW. I am plodding on in Probation, despite the 'hitting the target, missing the point' culture. I mourn new staff's entry into what is a difficult job, working with damaged traumatised people who go on to damage and traumatise others."
https://www-independent-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/crime-justice-system-criminal-record-low-new-prosecution-england-wales-statistics-a9202506.html?amp_js_v=a2&_gsa=1&&usqp=mq331AQCKAE%3D#aoh=15738080709368&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fuk%2Fcrime%2Fcrime-justice-system-criminal-record-low-new-prosecution-england-wales-statistics-a9202506.html
ReplyDeleteRemember it’s not called redundancy it’s called exiting . Perhaps if the money had not been spent on swanky estate buildings that are no longer viable or in use the exiters would still have a job
ReplyDelete