Friday 24 September 2021

Napo AGM 2021Motions

The Napo AGM is fast approaching and members have until noon on September 30th to vote on the order in which submitted motions will be discussed. I've particularly noted the following:-

5. SFO – integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality! 

The civil service code sets out standards of commitment to the civil service in its core values: integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. These values cannot be brought to the SFO investigation as this is an internal process which too often results in the scapegoating of individual practitioners and a failure to properly consider any organisational failures. Without this being remedied, individual staff members will continue to be traumatised and scapegoated and organisational learning will not take place. 

Napo will campaign for the practitioner to be properly informed and to have full and immediate access to any SFO report in which they are mentioned, alongside access to the complete Action Plan. Napo will also campaign for the SFO process to be independent and external, for instance undertaken by HMIP or Probation Institute. 

Proposer: Napo Cymru

6. Devolve Probation in Wales 

First Minister of Wales, Rt. Hon Mark Drakeford, made the case for Probation in Wales to be a devolved matter in his Bill McWilliams Memorial lecture to the Cambridge Criminology Institute in July this year. Probation should be locally based, freed from the centralised control of Westminster and unshackled from the Prison Service as an agency in its own right, accountable to, but independent from, government. All these factors are included in the proposal outlined by the First Minister. Napo is already committed to these principles in England and in Wales. In Wales there is Welsh Labour policy that Justice as a whole should be devolved. This was the recommendation of the Commission on Justice in Wales published before the pandemic, to which Napo Cymru contributed. Mr Drakeford has been clear that the wholesale devolution of Justice, while an aspiration, would be a long time in the execution. It would therefore be both principled and practical for Probation in Wales to be a devolved matter sooner rather than later. 

Napo will campaign for the devolution of Probation in Wales and will take every opportunity to contribute to discussions and planning in this regard.

Proposer: Napo Cymru

7. Unified probation service, independent and in the public sector 

This AGM welcomes the unification of our Probation Service and sees this as a positive step in the right direction. However, whilst we are pleased we are united and in the public sector, Napo agrees to campaign for the Probation Service to become a local community based organisation free from civil service control, accountable within the structure of local communities and in the public sector. 

Proposer: Thames Valley Branch

8. An independent probation service 

This AGM notes that while substantial success has been achieved around the recreation of a unified service, other aspects of Napo policy have made much less progress. The Service remains enmeshed in the civil and prison services. Nor has there been a concerted effort to debate the propriety of the Service continuing to allow itself to be described as a Criminal Justice Agency that prevents reoffending when the evidential basis for this claim is so slender. Napo resolves therefore to redouble its efforts to campaign for the Service: 

• to be devolved to local regions and Wales; 
• examine critically its crime prevention role; and 
• strengthen its claim to be an agency of social justice as proposed for Wales by Mark         Drakeford, built around a reinstated probation order. 

Proposer: Chris Hignett 
Seconder: Sue McConnel for the Campaigning Network

11. Reverse the Government’s proposed expansion of prison places for women 

This AGM views with alarm recent government plans to spend £150 million on building new prison places for women. This blatantly flies in the face of the recommendations of the Corston Report and other inquiries and reports over the past 20 years, as well as the government’s own ‘female offender strategy’. They have all concluded that prison is rarely a necessary, appropriate or proportionate response for the majority of women clients.

At a time when women’s centres, which support vulnerable women and keep them from entering the criminal justice system, are severely constrained by lack of adequate secure funding and when women’s refuges are having to refuse places to desperate women, to build prisons now is to turn our backs on the very services that keep women out of prison. 

We call on conference to oppose this wasteful and needless expansion, and for such investment to be directed to supporting alternatives in the community. 

We also call upon Campaigning Network to work towards ensuring that the public and sentencers are better informed about the causes of women’s imprisonment, so that proper investment in a national network of women’s centres is seen as the way ahead and not new prison places. 

Proposed: Deb Borgen (London Branch) 
Seconded: Mike Guilfoyle (London Branch)

12. Second Class Citizens 

Many of our members have been left feeling like ‘second class citizens’ as a result of the staff transfer out of CRCs. It seems that for a significant number of members it has not been the smooth ‘lift and shift’ process promised, with many finding themselves facing unexpected challenges such as role alignment problems, last minute news of down-banding and other unwelcome changes impacting on their jobs, careers and future income following the cessation of pay protection. Appeal arrangements appear to have been ineffective and inflexible. 

This AGM requests that Napo conducts a full investigation into the impact upon and detriment suffered by staff transferring jointly, if possible, with other trade unions. Napo should also seek to find out, factual information by survey or other means, such as how many former CRC employees were left dissatisfied with their role alignment, how many appeals were undertaken and not upheld, and how many employees have either registered a formal grievance, and/or have been signed off sick during the weeks and months following transfer. 

This AGM further requests that when this investigation is completed that, media releases are prepared, and that the findings and recommendations are published widely. 

Proposed: Paul Fairbrass (London Branch) 
Seconded: David Raho (London Branch)

16. Staffing Levels 

This AGM notes there are increasing pressures being put on staff which have become untenable making staff retention impossible. In some areas staff numbers are so low it has led to some Probation Delivery Areas being designated as HMPPS ‘Red Sites’ and others hovering close to the Red Site criteria. Although emergency delivery measures and contingency plans have been discussed they have been slow to be put in place leaving staff in understaffed areas overworked, stressed out and feeling overwhelmed and under protected. 

This AGM believes that there need to be clear processes in place that are activated whenever an area becomes a Red Site. These should include measures to protect overworked staff from the Serious Further Offence ‘early look’ and ‘review’ processes, by clearly stating where Corporate Responsibility would apply. 

This AGM urgently requests our National Officers and Officials to take immediate action to protect our staff through any and all means available including industrial action. 

Proposer: London Branch

18. Shared Services Connected Limited (SSCL) – another financial mess… 

This AGM understands that many members have been presented with financial issues, including overpayments, underpayments or indeed non-payment as the case may be. In addition, members have experienced issues with expenses, pensions, changes to their Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) and income tax. An already struggling SSCL is seemingly out of their depth and unprepared for the reunification of Probation Services, often leaving the onus on the individual member to attempt to sort out their specific issues with little or no support. 

This AGM believes, given the number of ongoing and growing problems with SSCL, that each Probation region should have its own department set up specifically to deal with these issues to ensure local and early resolution. 

This AGM compels the National Officers and Officials to negotiate with the Probation Service to put in place a Regional Financial structure, which will act as a single point of contact for all staff financial matters. 

Proposer: London Branch

21. Workloads 

This AGM is concerned that Probation Service members from all grades are reporting feeling burned out and unable to cope with the ever increasing and unreasonable demands put upon them. We seem to have a workload measurement tool that is not fit for purpose, with many new tasks and onerous processes not being accounted for. Not only that, the tool neglects many members such as admin, SPOs, AP staff and those facilitating unpaid work or delivering programmes. 

This AGM therefore instructs Napo to insist on openness and transparency from the employer regarding the formula for determining establishment figures. Furthermore, this AGM requests that Napo national Officers and Officials use this information to push for proper measurement and management of workloads for all members. 

If no progress is made by 31st December 2021, this AGM requests that Napo registers a Workloads dispute with our employer. 

Proposer: South Yorkshire Branch

22. Save Our Specialisms 

This AGM is concerned that the end state model of the Structured Interventions Model subsumes Divisional Sexual Offending Units (DSOUs) into a generic Interventions Team with the intention that facilitators will deliver a variety of offending programmes across the board.

Dilution of roles in relation to multitasking across programme delivery could risk burnout: multitasking is known to increase stress and susceptibility to errors. Specialist knowledge increases resilience and enables staff to deliver continuously to a high standard. 

DSOUs have a significant amount of expertise in working with men who have sexually offended and it is our belief that the proposed model will significantly dilute the expertise and support that DSOUs provide to the Probation Delivery Units (PDU), particularly in relation to consultation around risk assessment, risk management and delivery of training/consultancy.

This AGM requests that Napo negotiators make the strongest representations in relation to the importance of maintaining the current structure, roles and pay grades of the DSOUs within the new Interventions model and emphasise the likely risks associated with the potential dilution of the DSOU service currently provided to the PDUs, should the proposed end state model be adopted. 

Proposer: London Branch

26. Core Probation learning must be delivered by experienced Probation staff 

This AGM understands that the National Training Team, now part of MoJ Learning and Development, has adopted a policy of recruiting National Trainers who do not have, as a minimum, probation qualifications or experience. 

National Trainers, now referred to as Learner Coach or Facilitator, deliver core learning to PQiP learners and other new entrants, as well as continuous professional development to experienced practitioners. However, recently recruited trainers include those with no previous experience of working in the Criminal Justice System. This means that core skills in engagement, interviewing, and even risk assessment, are now being delivered by those who have never set foot in a probation office or sat opposite a person on probation. We understand this is not done in error and further recruitment will use the same job descriptions. 

This AGM believes that allowing inexperienced and unqualified staff to teach inexperienced and unqualified colleagues can only erode their learning opportunity and impact on their preparedness for the role. Our new colleagues deserve better; our professional integrity deserves better. This AGM calls for Napo to organise and campaign to ensure that only those who are appropriately qualified, probation trained and experienced are employed as National Trainers. 

Proposer: Western Branch

27. Pre-Sentence Reports (PSRs) 

This AGM welcomes the fact that the Secretary of State for Justice has recognised the need for a greater investment in the quality of Pre-Sentence Reports. The Magistrates Association has also stated that it is vital these documents are of sufficient standing to inform the sentencing process. 

This AGM calls for an end to unachievable targets for the completion of ‘on the day’ reports, where vital information on risk, particularly relating to DV and child protection, are more likely to be missed. Adequate time to properly assess vulnerability, e.g. in relation to trauma and/or mental health needs is also essential. 

Probation court staff require workload weightings which properly reflect the time needed to complete high quality report and risk assessments, i.e. ones that meet the professional standards associated with PSRs before the implementation of ‘speedy summary justice’. These weightings must also take into account the increasing amount of work involved in completing the many other assessments needed, in addition to the PSR, which ensures that the finished article meets the demands of ‘quality assurance’.

This AGM directs the Negotiating Committee and Professional and Training Network to press the relevant directorates to implement these realistic and fair workload weightings. 

Proposer: Steve Bradley 
Seconder: Marion Kockelbergh

30 comments:

  1. All very worthy motions that no-one at moj/hmpps will give a flying fuck about.

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  2. Goodness what a bunch of motions in a time when the union hardly functions.
    Rife with internalised promotions and some foolish Welsh devolution argument augmented by the retired and non facing frontline views. That's all we need. At last some thoughts on weightings but way too late to make any change and as for training the management won't shift. Díssapointing to read someone thinks the probation phoney institute has a place 8n arbitration how naive.

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    1. Welsh devolution... Foolish, explain, why?

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    2. I am not anti Welsh . The authors of the ridiculous motion have just been part of a 5 year reunification battle for probation yet somehow now have a new vision devolution. Are the going to show us all a better way. Foolish . As for their naff not taff evidence they rely on a labour report policy. Do they not appreciate the Tories are in charge and don't give rats arse for anything penned out of the red Welsh border. More foolhardy naive spluttering. No political nouse or sense. Clare had it right today no apology to to Tory scum name calling. Look on she's got my support none of the ameliatary turds of soft voice no stick boring motions couldn't raise an eyebrow. Angela instead holds her ground and tell the country she's in a fight and not scared . Just what Napo lack a backbone and some intelligence. The management won't likely read them for fear of too much laughter and pants pissing in their comfy home working.

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    3. The usual response to any form of hatred is, I'm not anti ....!, one protests too much! I pity ignorant self absorbed individuals, who lack insight, into those that have 5 year and 10 year plans that might be in sync.

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    4. I am not anti Wales and hatred is not in my mind at all. If anything it is a real pity you stoop to that. I feel sorry for the memberships suffering Napo motions that are a complete waste of time. The pretence of a 5 and 10 year strategy to do what is just laughable rubbish. We all know Wales has to put something in but at least try . You should have focused on making the tasks easier across the geographic split in the country. Reduce workloads for travelling staff increase terms similar to London and regional weightings. Pay in our pockets than the hoighty toighty pretentious wordy devolution tripe. How on earth we fought a debate of reunify and from June to now Wales best entry is a wild U turn. If you had a strategy for stand alone you wouldn't have been brought back early. Your position makes it crystal clear you have no plan direction or understanding and what's far worse your appalling motion to members whatever the vote will send the signal to management you just have no clue. The motion is a filler to say nothing at AGM and waste more time when something anything else of real substance could have sent a real warning. Come on Wales grow with encouragement not this meaningless embarresment. Let's hope you withdraw it for any reason at AGM.

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    5. I read this and almost cried out. What 5 to 10 year plan do Wales have. Has their branch membership been included in this infinite wisdom. If they could plan that far ahead how did we get here. There will need to be some sharing of their crystal ball . Have they gotLottery numbers and who will be the next pm or Napo leadership. Hilarious.

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    6. Ooh good: looks like we might have a debate on our hands. I hope it is conducted with more civility than this unpleasant exchange

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    7. I read it and yes it is bit edgy but a thought through contribution from one side. yours 1533 adds nothing than more unpleasantness. Why criticise and do the same.

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    8. Hi 13:50 here. I was interested in the AGM so read up this blog as it is specifically AGM related. I did laugh at the exchange but from what is actually there it cannot be regarded as a debate.

      To me it is only some very brief responses that merely snipe. I would really like to hear what the 5 and 10 year agenda is. What are Wales projecting. It is my further consideration just as suggested not credible. Can the Wales supporters of this motion give us some detail or insights. It would help if there was some real evidence of the value of the proposed motion. What are the merits and driving imperatives for this digression of union policy. Will Northern Ireland do the same are they aware of any benefits. Will it be better for the collective ? Is it even constitutional or will it be defeated as rubbish by the steering committee as it damages Napo interests. Gosh it is exciting, some fuller answers please I am not wishing to incur any aggressive retorts.

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  3. On a separate note. In this climate it would be nice if some of our colleagues could stop turning their issues with workload on other colleagues. Understaffed and other issues are management ones, partly caused by the bad treatment or neglect of staff welfare leading to an exodus of experienced and new staff and the lack of Probation in having the backbone to say no to additional responsibilities placed on the service by partner agencies. If some colleagues want to work unpaid overtime due to stress that is their decision but to place that expectation on other colleagues who are trying to protect themselves from burnout is inappropriate. Direct it at senior management and the failure of unions. Otherwise its divide and rule that they are facilitating.

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    1. Yes applaud that. There has been way too much internalised acrimony against colleagues who hold a working contractual line. The problems is as you say they get pressures and criticism from peers and attacked by management . They are hero's really.

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    2. I think it is here here .

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  4. As a full time PO in a court team I would welcome workload weightings. I am currently only allocated one day per week to complete HROSH reports including dangerousness reports. The rest of the week I am required to sit in court collating results and completing administration tasks, deliver low / medium risk stand downs and prosecute breaches. Essentially, a PSO role. Such a waste of a PO resource and certainly impacts on my ability to produce quality reports.

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    1. Written to be provocative? It sounds a smidge haughty to suggest that court duties other than the sexy high risk assessments are "essentially a pso role".

      I would like to exercise my right to disagree as a now-retired PO who fought tooth-&-nail to preserve the court duty role, who fought against the notion of statutory 'on-the-day' reports & who ran a court team (PO & PSO staff) with a weekly breach court for some years. We would prosecute up to 40 cases a week.

      ALL of the court duty work is is critical to the work of the probation service. It is our shop window, it is the place which generates our workload & it is where we can - if we're smart enough - manage the work flow that feeds our local service. It is NOT about slapping down colleagues, about bigging ourselves up or minimising any of the tasks involved in court. "Collating results" might be the key to identifying what was missed; completing admin tasks might highlight cases that should have been referred.

      Prosecuting breaches was, for me, a role that proved most helpful in managing the caseload of the service. I always held a 'clinic' in the court probation office an hour before cases were listed and made sure any & all solicitors were aware of this. We inevitably had a queue before court was due to open where cases & their briefs would wait to discuss a 'not guilty' plea. In 80% of cases we would negotiate an admission to the breach & a suitable outcome, thereby avoiding £many thousands in legal costs & court time. The office 'phone would be red-hot for that hour as we spoke with the relevant supervising officers explaining what had changed & agreeing new terms for an order, whether allowing it to continue or an appropriate variation.

      We were always ably assisted by colleagues from the local mental health team, the local childrens' services, a substance misuse specialist & a police liaison officer.

      Never once did I hear anyone grumble that their 'ability to produce quality reports' was compromised by having to work in the courts.

      But I guess that's why I was marginalised, ridiculed & paid off by the providers of this newfangled, 21st century probation service...

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  5. Many things are very complicated, but some aren't.

    Very Complicated:

    * quantum physics

    Not Complicated:

    * male violence against women

    Very Complicated:

    * medical science

    Not Complicated:

    * media generated panic about anything

    Complicated:

    * pure mathematics

    Not Complicated:

    * how greed & power corrupt human beings

    Complicated:

    * filling in a claim for Universal Credit

    Not Complicated:

    * making shitloads of money as a ministerial VIP bidder for a government contract

    Very Complicated:

    * life as an 'ordinary' citizen of the UK (where 'ordinary' can be defined as unimaginably poor, without hope, subject to any & all kinds of tax, at the mercy of multi-national businesses, at the mercy of their own government, highly likely to be sacrificed so someone 'more important' can make a profit, etc, etc)

    Not Complicated:

    * life as a wealthy, privileged member of the 'acceptable' strata of UK society who can do anything they choose with impunity & profit from the poverty, distress & misfortune of anyone who isn't as privileged.

    Very Complicated:

    * international relations

    Not Complicated:

    * quoting a television frog-puppet when lecturing the United Nations Assembly


    Anyone remember Being There, 1976, where a simpleminded gardener becomes the trusted advisor to a powerful businessman & insider in Washington politics?

    "This is just like watching television, only you can see much further"

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  6. 1 day a week for dangerousness reports on top of all that. Why don't they put more PSOs in Laughable but not funny.

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  7. 2131 about 1629. Don't think you arebring very fair. I think it was being highlighted that the workload is so high that only 1 day is left to do a dangerousness or other reports. This is clearly ridiculous and of course would impact on anyone doing a quality report. I think they are quite right to highlight the tasks and to say its grumbling facilities this attitude towards colleagues mentioned. It's not about being precious its about preserving the time to do had work POs are given the responsibilities to. If they are to do those others things then farm out the reports! Otherwise why not take the CAs out and we will do it all shall we just to avoid bring considered precious. Its about protecting your time to do tasks which need time to do them well and protecting your sanity.

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    1. "I think it was being highlighted that the workload is so high that only 1 day is left to do a dangerousness or other reports."

      If that was the point being made, then it seems a very reasonable complaint.

      "Essentially, a PSO role. Such a waste of a PO resource"

      Sounds far less reasonable. But...

      ... having re-visited @16:29 I can see what @09:10 is saying.

      And read in that context it sounds like the usual position of managers not having a fucking clue about the work to be done, simply directing staff to tick boxes rather than address the professional tasks in hand.

      I paid little heed to the demands of management jobsworths, the team ran like a fine watch, sentencers loved our responsivity & creativity, custody staff welcomed us with coffee, court clerks were happy to discuss matters 'off the record' which helped resolve misunderstandings, lawyers respected our reports, CPS would hand us papers if we hadn't received them.

      I do understand such autonomy is no longer possible.

      Forgive me, @16:29, if I misjudged your comments.

      Delete
  8. Please give this a listen. Its just worth taking the time to listen to it. Its refreshing. Its Angela Rayner talking to James O'Brien on LBC podcast:

    https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KqCF/

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  9. So sec of state has recognised the need for greater investment in PSRs and union WLW for extra assessments etc. Interesting as currently being brow beaten I use that to avoid bullied when highlighting these very issues to management and colleagues in Court. Told as a PO should just get on with it as other colleagues have and that's the way it is. It is made out it is achievable and I am making a fuss. Diversity factors constantly ignored and we work for a fair Diversity aware organisation. Please!

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  10. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ec3ce97a1716758c54691b7/t/5ff5a754c0e43812a5fdb3e8/1609934678026/Probation+Court+Work.pdf

    "The Probation Institute sets out our view of the professional role and responsibility of the Probation
    Service in the courts – in particular the Magistrates Courts and Crown Courts in England and Wales.
    It highlights the tension between two principles; the need to deliver justice in a timely manner
    (originally known as Simple Speedy Justice) and the aim of passing an effective sentence that
    will respond appropriately to the seriousness of the offence. The paper recognises significant
    changes in probation structures and also the major implications of the Coronavirus Pandemic"

    ReplyDelete
  11. What does Essex need?

    Prisons close to Stansted Airport but a very poor local public transport network.


    https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-new-prisons-in-wethersfield-public-consultation

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  12. The western branch motion is an old closed shop bid. I recall the days we had many externally led training and development. Specialists in all sorts of areas. They were not po qualified but brilliantly able to develop and engender key learning skills and core organisational values. Western idea only po skill level is the educational lower bar that will go nowhere in real terms. You can have the motion but in housing will de skill staff. We all know the po training has so many different history lines now what is the real reason . I think Protecting a grade role that has already been diluted out. Come on demarcation already a lost battle.

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    1. If they were buying in specialists with expertise that would enrich our practise you might have a point, but that's not what's happening here, quite the opposite and the bar is being lowered further still.
      A senior leader in L&D thinks a former dogs trust trainer with no cjs experience has more to offer new entrants to our service than a PO of 20years experience.
      We are the sector experts in what we do, including service user engagement, motivation and risk. We are best placed to guide new entrants in what to expect on a day to day basis and it's a sad endictment of a profession if it doesn't even have that self belief.

      Delete
    2. You make a good point and I do have some idea a dog walker does contribute a different perspective. I do get being in probation many years provides an experienced role lead. I don't get it being a po is any significant difference these days let's be honest any clout being qualified has long gone. You will be expected to do more and deliver no gripes of a risk based quality but no credit for doing it well or with background training. Psos graduates all bring richness to saving process of nothing and are cheaper. We need a strategy against the race down but not at the cost to other workers. Turning our qualified noses up on this way looks real bad and disenfranchises those who might have supported the argument. Instead they offer to devalue the po grade further in retribution of insulting snobbery. Just my experience of this old debate.

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  13. Hidden Heroes Day – a statement from Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell

    Chief Inspector of Probation, Justin Russell, reflects on the important work of probation and youth justice service practitioners this Hidden Heroes Day:

    “Tumultuous, challenging, changing… just some of the words to describe the past year for those working in and around probation and youth justice services. So, the 29 September 2021 – Hidden Heroes Day – is a time to reflect upon the vital, and often unseen, work of those in this key area of the criminal justice system.

    “I have made no secret of my admiration for those working in probation and youth justice who are continuing to deal with the devastating impact of Covid-19 at the same time as working through some major structural reforms. Staff are to be applauded for the resolve and innovation displayed during an unpredictable, at times seemingly unending, period of emergency delivery models and crisis management.

    “It is starting to feel that a return to “normal” – in the varying forms that may take – is not too far away. This is credit to management boards, managers and practitioners who have worked, in many cases tirelessly, to ensure services run as smoothly as possible, with little or no fanfare.

    “Finally, I would also like to acknowledge the work of all those in the wider criminal justice system – those working in UK prisons, IRCs, probation and youth justice – who are critical public servants doing difficult and demanding jobs. All are true hidden heroes.”

    More HMIProbation plaudits that the excellent leaders will attribute to themselves, no doubt awarding themselves bonuses & gongs to mark *their* excellence. Meanwhile frontline staff aren't being paid what they're owed, aren't having any meaningful payrise, have outrageous workloads; in fact, aren't being supported at all.

    Still, a #HiddenHeroes hashtag - & maybe canned applause on the nation's doorsteps - will make up for it all.

    Well done us for passively taking all the shit thrown at us for the last 15 years; from the unwarranted shift to Trust status, through Grayling & austerity, to the ongoing staffing crisis, management bullying & the last breaths of an independent, professional Probation Service in June 2021.

    Napo?

    "Just a reminder that our next SPO Forum will be on Wednesday 29th September at 1 pm, and our Chief Probation Officer, Sonia Flynn has accepted our invitation to come to give some update... and don't forget to pay your subs!"

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  14. I guess that today has shown us Starmer's direction of travel and, whether I or others like it or not, at least he hasn't done the Bliar trick of pretending to be something he isn't - he's writing a new manifesto. Presumably it will be as original as the 'new' probation service?

    I'm sad that there's a huge push from many sides, including the media, to rubbish the benefit of having a social conscience & promote capitalist economic strategies as far more important & "viable".

    The world is burning. Yet people in the UK have spent £millions on fossil fuels since last Thursday, the oil prices have risen, the strict rules on competition have been suspended - so guess what, the oil companies & their shareholders have become massively enriched at the expense of the people. Again.

    Everything has a consequence. Capitalism does not value people or the planet. It values pounds sterling, dollars, yen, etc etc.

    Our economics has to change; Starmer is following the Bliarist trajectory into capitalism-lite. That doesn't work either. Mandelson is alleged to have taunted the Left at Brighton by saying "We're back in control".

    That's Peter Mandelson, best friend to Russian billionaire oligarchs & never short of a bob or two.

    We're fucked. The World is fucked. And its the current incumbents living on the planet who are responsible - me, you, all of us.

    We are doing nothing except reacting to bullshit media scare stories, filling up our cars & vans & jerry cans, clearing the supermarket shelves & filling the pockets of greedy bastards. How stupid are we?

    ReplyDelete