With news that the government is on the verge of completely reversing the previous flawed and misguided rationale for involving the commercial and third sectors in the provision of probation services, it would be tempting to claim some kind of victory. Sadly I suspect the reality is as this reader succinctly put it:-
"If the shitstorm ends it will be because there wasn't a buck in it for the private sector and for no other reason. No profit = No point. That's capitalism."
David Raho put it rather more elegantly:-
"Let’s be clear if a decision is made, as the article suggests, then this is for real world economic reasons not necessarily as the result of reasoned argument, lobbying and expert advice alone. The right wing neoliberal Conservative government is in no hurry to admit more failure at this time or be seen to be pandering to the demands of the liberal lobbyists. The simple fact is that if it’s likely to be cheaper to stop the PDP process than continuing with it, then that’s what will happen because the MoJ has no cash and is under financial pressure not least as a result of recent events."Whatever, it's possibly one of the first positive unintended consequences of the dreaded virus and as another reader suggested, it offers the tantalising possibility of what could be as part of a new probation service post-covid. So, hopefully as a starter for discussion, here is their wish list:-
If this does come to pass and I hope it does then the reform will only be complete if we are removed from the cold dead hand of the civil service and returned to a level of local governance that meets the specific needs of each of our communities. We need:-
HR with humanity.
IT that allows systems to talk to each other.
Proper partnership with services from local government and Not For Profit providers.
A training system that is fit for purpose.
Leaders who will inspire a level of morale amongst us that gives us hope.
Staffing levels that allow for workloads where we are no longer running to catch up with vital tasks and constantly worrying that we are behind.
Networks across the country that champion and share best practice initiatives.
Homelessness provision that actually works without people being released NFA.
Working practices that account for our needs as parents and carers with real flexibility.
Properly integrate and employ ex offenders into our system not just to act as mentors but to be PSO's and PO's that manage and support people from a perspective that they understand.
Decriminalise drug use and turn punishment into treatment.
Integrate with the burgeoning hotch potch of PCC initiatives popping up all over the country to ensure we're working together with the police and not against each other.
A pro-active and integrated Personality Disorder Treatment Service as part of probation.
Effective Forensic Mental Health services who know what we do and work with us.
Educate our police colleagues to understand our value.
Integrated sex offender management teams to include police and treatment providers under one roof.
Properly integrate how people are prepared for release and to allocate tasks to HMPS that are relevant to them such as making sure everyone is released with a bank account and benefit claim in place where needed.
Need to ensure that we have enough time and the skills to make sure the parole process is robust and fair and that every prisoner knows their COM and has a report written by their COM who knows them.
An open and honest dialogue with prison law solicitors so they and we know what we're thinking and why before an oral hearing to avoid car crashes.
A risk assessment system that makes sense to us and to offenders which is efficient and transparent.
Get back to writing real PSR's that evidence risk and concentrate on what needs to be done to reduce it rather than recommend sentences.
A Magistracy and Judges who believe in us and know what we do.
UPW placements that visibly serve our communities and link to beneficiaries that work, with a constant effort to find more and better ways to make UPW mean something for offenders.
Links to employers who can offer work placements and job mentoring and to promote and work with NFP organisations who do this.
More and better funded AP's and every one must have a PIPE environment where the focus is on rehabilitation so residents believe in them and don't just see them as an extension of prison.
And....WE NEED THE F*CKING PAY PROGRESSION WE WERE PROMISED. Any more for any more?
--oo00oo--
Finally, thanks go to readers for supplying the following:-
You will have seen reporting over the past 24 hours suggesting that the Ministry of Justice could renationalise parts of probation that were set to be run by the new Probation Delivery Partners (PDPs) from next June. This follows the Department’s decision to suspend the process to appoint PDPs, which I communicated to you last week.
Like you, I have read the reports. I share your concern and deep sense of frustration that there are seemingly new questions over our future when we thought a new model had been determined. Just six months ago we successfully transitioned our services in Wales to the new arrangements and have received excellent feedback on the way we are working in close partnership with the National Probation Service and continuing to deliver for the people we support. After the tremendous work you have done through the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, recognised by the Lord Chancellor himself, I felt that we were moving into a more settled period after going through so much change.
If we are to transfer to another organisation, I am determined we do so with our heads held high with the service in good shape and the legacy of a safer community. We have worked so hard to create a service we can all be proud of, achieved in the face of often unfair criticism from external commentators. In the south west and in Wales over the past year colleagues have overturned a legacy of disinvestment and disrepair to turn around the service. The commitment all of you have shown takes a personal toll and I am very grateful for everything you have all done, and continue to do, in the interests of our professional integrity and the communities we serve. Regardless of what is communicated to us over the coming days and weeks, we will need to continue to draw from our deep reservoirs of professional integrity, compassion and dedication to our service.
In bittersweet timing, I am conscious we go to the polls next week to elect our first employee council as we cement Seetec’s progress towards a new structure of employee ownership. Despite the speculation about our future, I urge you all to vote. We have always been an organisation that is motivated to do the right thing for the people we support and the colleagues we work alongside. Playing our part in building a new employee-owned provider of public services is a valuable opportunity and I want our part of Seetec to turn out to have its voice heard in that new structure.
I will continue to keep you updated on what we hear from our commissioners at the Ministry of Justice. Thank you for everything you continue to do. Please do try to have a restful weekend.
Yours
Suki
--oo00oo--
Probation services update: meeting with Robert Buckland
As I mentioned in my earlier email, along with other probation providers, this afternoon I’ve met with the Rt Hon Robert Buckland to seek clarity on the pausing of the Probation Delivery Partners (PDP) contracts.
At the meeting, the Secretary of State confirmed that despite media speculation about probation renationalisation, no decisions have currently been made about the future delivery model. He and his ministerial colleagues are reviewing potential future delivery models as part of the work that is currently underway to develop COVID-19 recovery plans for probation. We are expecting a further announcement and decision over the coming days or weeks.
Once again, I’d like to reiterate that the media reports are speculation at this stage, and I understand how anxious you may feel when reading them. I’d like to reassure you that MTC remains committed to our vision to be the most trusted provider of justice services, and I will continue to have frequent dialogue with the Ministry of Justice over the coming days, continuing to update you once I have more information.
Thank you for your ongoing hard work and commitment at this uncertain time. If you have any immediate questions or concerns, please speak to your people manager in the first instance.
David Hood
Managing Director, MTC
Probation services update: meeting with Robert Buckland
As I mentioned in my earlier email, along with other probation providers, this afternoon I’ve met with the Rt Hon Robert Buckland to seek clarity on the pausing of the Probation Delivery Partners (PDP) contracts.
At the meeting, the Secretary of State confirmed that despite media speculation about probation renationalisation, no decisions have currently been made about the future delivery model. He and his ministerial colleagues are reviewing potential future delivery models as part of the work that is currently underway to develop COVID-19 recovery plans for probation. We are expecting a further announcement and decision over the coming days or weeks.
Once again, I’d like to reiterate that the media reports are speculation at this stage, and I understand how anxious you may feel when reading them. I’d like to reassure you that MTC remains committed to our vision to be the most trusted provider of justice services, and I will continue to have frequent dialogue with the Ministry of Justice over the coming days, continuing to update you once I have more information.
Thank you for your ongoing hard work and commitment at this uncertain time. If you have any immediate questions or concerns, please speak to your people manager in the first instance.
David Hood
Managing Director, MTC
MTC can go asap. Clearly rattled they know the end is a short year away. Suki sensibly has edged her position by saying we as in me in public services again and noting the private sector flame is no longer burning bright. Time to drop the loyalty. The public sector will be cheaper to manage than running contracts and feeding the grayling false market and it is the maths that win when facing multibillions covid costs. But hey good riddance private sector rubbish.
ReplyDeleteOn the 29th May we heard from Suki Binning: 'My view is that the pandemic has underscored the value and resilience of the mixed economy of providers'. Where, indeed, would we be without the value and resilience of the private sector? It wasn't resilient enough of course to furlough its own staff, it needed taxpayer subsidies – that's 'bittersweet' to misquote Suki in her latest missive. Would the employee councils be a great loss? We have trade unions and JNCCs to act as consultative bodies. Employee councils and so-called employee ownership are window dressing. Has it never occurred to Suki that we're not all in this together? Anyway, if the renationalisation goes ahead, then it will create some dissonance for Suki between principles and pragmatism which I'm sure will be synthesised though the prism of self-interest.
DeleteSuki is not the only one who likes a mixed economy of providers, Serco do as well. They have won a massive CV-19 'track and trace' contract and yet it wasn't long ago, following an investigation by the serious fraud office, they settled by repaying 19 million to the government for their illegal management of electronic monitoring, including claiming for deceased prisoners and other types of creative accounting. Easy to see why the mixed economy is so alluring.
DeleteI'd dearly love to be enthusiastic about this speculation/news, but even if it is true that ALL probation service provision returns to the public sector there are several significant problems that won't be easily resolved, i.e. the in situ mis-management teams who have been blissfully missing the point under whatever flag is flying, enriching &/or ennobling themselves while treating staff like shit.
ReplyDeleteSimply running another flag up the same pole will not change that, nor will it see the doors being flung open for a new manifesto. The piss-poor managerialist chumocracy needs to be removed en masse. They had their chance. They failed staff, service users and the public. They Failed.
Tthe service provision must now be re-positioned with politically independent oversight. An interim hiatus must follow whereby existing provisions run until Day X, while a new management structure is designed & built; one which will be ready to assume control within a year; one which has fresh eyes, fresh blood & refreshing qualities of professionalism, humanity, compassion & style.
The manifesto outlined above would serve as a positive framework upon which to start building a new ethically, psychologically & professionally sound structure.
"the in situ mis-management teams who have been blissfully missing the point under whatever flag is flying"
DeleteNever forget many of these 'leaders' were in receipt of full EVR payments before shifting to equally lucrative posts in NPS or CRCs and many have been in receipt of generous salaries for the last five years. Their expectation is that they will be the 'new leaders' in the new structure; we've already had the recent round of appointments of the usual chums to the 12 regional posts, with accompanying supporting roles.
NOTHING will change until a deep clean has been carried out.
The organisational changes to date, the shifts from probation areas to trusts to nps & crc's are proof of stasis - nothing of significance has changed because the pre-existing culture was embedded in the process of succession for the key roles.
The only truly meaningful shift occurred when the politicians first got their grubby mitts on the probation service & installed their own operators to take the reins. In Nottinghamshire the long-serving Colin Edwards was ousted without the traditional gong pinned to his chest and he was replaced by a 'suit form the centre', David Hancock. But there was an unexpected twist...
Anonymous 25 March 2019 at 11:23:
"Hancock was an intriguing Chief; a hybrid of sharp suited civil servant & man-with-a-heart. He was the hatchet man brought in by "the centre" after Colin Edwards' spirited fight to keep probation independent failed, but it seems Hancock was so impressed with what Edwards had achieved he began to adopt a similar approach."
It was posted in response to this Telegraph story from 2004:
* The head of a probation service that was blamed for failing properly to monitor a drug addict who killed a policeman while out of prison on licence said yesterday that he took full responsibility for its errors.
But David Hancock, the chief officer of Nottinghamshire Probation Area, said he would not be disciplining any of the staff involved and would not be resigning.
Mr Hancock said he accepted all the criticisms in the report. He was aware that his staff were overworked.
He said she should not face any action because she was overworked and that was the management's fault.
Mr Hancock also blamed a raft of Home Office initiatives imposed on his service, which had confused staff." *
We should be going back to our roots:
"The Probation and After-Care Service is not a department of the local authority; nor is it administered by the central government. Probation officers are employed by local committees of magistrates within areas corresponding to those of local government, and these committees are funded both from from central and local government sources. This arrangement gives probation officers independence from the administrative arm of government, enabling the courts to receive impartial information and advice." [Jarvis]"
As the author of what Jim has rather grandly called the "manifesto" above I am realistic enough to know that much of it cannot happen overnight. What I do think however, is that we cannot simply settle for reunification only. The same old issues will still get in the way of effective probation practice and I have only highlighted a few of them. I call now on all of you to expand on the list. I also call on David Lammy, the curiously silent PA, the unions, PCC's and our not for profit partners to listen to us. We do actually know what we're talking about. If you want proof see what we said about TR and compare it with what's happened. I hate to say I told you so but.... we need to produce a clear strategy for our future that includes the above and more. I do not call on the bureaucratic managerial leadership we currently endure to have anything to do with it. As the comment above wonderfully defines. They have failed. Now I am no fan of the Barnard Castle visiting Dominic Cummings but he says he wants blue sky thinkers who will burst the bubble of civil service complacency that says things cannot be done. Lets see if the government is true to its word and welcomes initiatives like this. The driver for them is always the bottom line. Ask them how much crime costs and demonstrate how we can take a lead in driving those costs down. Let's see what they say. I know some of you will wring your hands at this kind of view arguing that we should concentrate on the human costs and the money shouldn't matter but think of it like this. We all know that the most effective way to help people is to be responsive to the needs they present. To treat every person as an individual and building a therapeutic relationship with them is what works. Let's do that with the Tories. What works for them is to follow the money so let's be responsive to that and show how we can save in places and invest to save in others. Here's a simple example. We know that employment is often an important protective factor for offenders but getting work is commonly a real difficulty. We also know that NFP partners who organise and sponsor mentored work placements work well. I remember reading about one in Manchester I think run by a retired copper that was championed and funded by their PCC. I have first hand experience of another that demonstrates that two thirds of its clients are in employment or training after a year. They're great, they work so why isn't there a national network that reduces the cost of crime and gets people working and paying tax? Win win on the money front with many other social and personal benefits for us to celebrate too. Why wouldn't you? The PM invokes the Dunkirk spirit to fight the pandemic. Let's make sure that we don't waste the amazing efforts our society has made and use it to inform real and effective change in how we work. I am sick of having to say that it is what it is and struggling on with systems that don't work. We know what's wrong. The bare bones of the list is above. We know what will make it better. Let's get it done from the bottom up and force our political masters and mistresses not just to listen but to do. Viva la revolucion. 07:17.
ReplyDeleteNothing against your manifesto but the wish list is miles from where the government want us. Not a fan of police in probation after all their decesions are usually prescriptive . I doubt we will ever see the probation of old but a better in house public service than the fiasco under recent years.
DeleteOf course you have a right to think that and there is much evidence to suggest it's true. But why not sell it ti them in terms they can understand ie punds shillings and pence. The billions spent on COVID19 will have to be found somehwere so lets do our bit and show them we can save them money whilst making ourselves more human and effective.
DeleteNot all cops are prescriptive meatheads although some are. I meet progressive thinking pragmatists all the time. Let's work with them. 07:17
Whilst I endorse and applaud the calls for a probation manifesto,I think at the very least, they should spell out what probation is to be - a social work agency like I trained to work for, - a law enforcement agency, Which we have been described as, or a hybrid model which is all things to all people but mainly comprises of keyboard thumping.
ReplyDeleteOnce they have laid out the future and specified the terms and conditions, they should ask who wants to stay and do this job, or who wants to leave on favourable terms if it no longer
Niger suits them.
This is one of the points on which TR failed, it was thrust upon us with no vision of what was expected.
Angsty calls for a definition of what we are are all well and good. I hear them all the time but where have they got us? Who cares about definition. Lets concentrate on action. Find ways to work effectively to help and support people to change and to protect the public through enforcement when we have to. Nothing wrong with that. Is there? TR did have a vision btw. It was just that it was fundamentally flawed. 07:17
DeleteApologies to all for the very unfortunate predictive/ corrective text misprint in the post at 11.21.
ReplyDeleteIt was most certainly not my intention.
My comment at 11:21 was never an ‘angsty call.’ I simply want them to spell out what they want and what they expect from me so I can decide if I want to do it or to walk away.
ReplyDeleteThere should be no more blank cheques, (NAPO take note) and no gestures of goodwill. No more ‘suck it and see,’ Spell it out and see if it is palatable
Wholeheartedly agree on the blank cheque and goodwill fronts. We've been fucked over too many times. Just sick and tired of the advise assist and befriend vs enforce and rehabilitate debate. The two are not mutually exclusive and the debate gets us nowhere except into a place where we contemplate our navels instead of facing the real issues which, are existential now more than ever. The way I see it it could go one of two ways. Either it dawns on them we make no difference at all and we cease to exist (nothing works) or they accept we can make a massive difference if they allow us to and let us get on with it. The keys will be independent local governance and bottom up innovation. 07:17
ReplyDelete