Belonging
I don’t belong to the Probation Service. I used to, I want to, but the thing I belonged to is fading, and possibly gone. The Probation Service I belonged to believed that our clients are citizens and individuals entrusted to our care. We advised assisted and befriended. We understood that the state fails some of its citizens and our role was to get onside and help the hapless navigate the clumsy state arrangements for them, sort themselves out a bit, keep them out of trouble.
How far have we fallen? There used to be poetry and love and fun. The media and The State would disapprove but as an independent organisation, we could shrug that off and go make some friends on the bench and be human about it all. We were removed from, but funded by the State: I was always inspired by that: that the State was generous enough to know that it had failed some of its citizens, and to fund an institution that would be critical as well as helpful.
That balance has been over-tipped. The State is not generous. We are in very dark times and the darkest will be for those we ought to be caring for.
I am proud to count on my cv, come the day of reckoning, some wonderful people who I have advised assisted and befriended and who I will probably never see again. To them: I am grateful for your company: I salute your strength, thank you all of you, for enriching me: and to you I belong
Pearly Gates
Yes, well said. I walked away in 2017 after working in various Probation rolls, for a total of 20 years, in various Probation Offices, over a period of 30 years, from the early 80s. Inevitably I witnessed and closely experienced many aspects, of the changes 'on the shop floor', and ultimately the transition into privatisation of the Probation Services. By the time I resigned in 2017- for the protection of my own well-being - due to the toxic atmosphere of the organisation - (rather than the people we were dealing with, who were coming through the criminal justice system) - I mean the culture of the organisation, which had by then changed - frankly, to something I felt unable to continue being any part of it. Your post above sums it up well, and I suspect is the feeling of many who (mostly very successfully!) regarded Probation work as a 'vocation' ... anyone remember/recognise that ancient and outdated concept relating to one's career? Many aspects of old Probation worked well, and it was an effective approach.
ReplyDeleteMaybe wider changes in Society mean that became an impossible way to have continued, but I feel it was a privilege to have worked in the original service with some wonderful colleagues, and the many and varied successes achieved in managing and HELPING people make lasting changes to their lives, which set them on a successful path to a future.
I still - nearly 40 years on - have folk who were required to attend our office/s, who recognise and acknowledge me, when out and about - even say hello - and THANK YOU. That has happened in recent weeks - someone I had not seen for over 30 years - I remembered their name, and shook their hand. They were living a good life, and were clearly well respected in their local community - and they were 'open' when introducing me to people, about how we knew one another.
Is it just the old timers who hold these values? If so we are all left or leaving. There doesn't seem to be any coherent agreement anywhere of what probation actually is, or is for. Much is made of the resilience of probation values, but without the people to keep passing it on, or the even the opportunity to discuss it, that makes it all seem pretty fragile
ReplyDeleteThank you Pearly Gates.
ReplyDeleteI'm alive today I'm sure because of of the people I've met in the past that held my hand when I needed it, spoke truth to me when required, and who share those exact sentiments you express.
I think back fondly of those people now, I hope they're well, and hope they are also not in the service now.
They too would no longer belong now.
Vocation is the right term to use, though some nowadays might think vocation is a holiday in Newcastle!
Thank you for the time and effort you've given, not just to people like me, but to our families and society as a whole.
Be proud of your achievements, and be sure you HAVE made a positive difference to many peoples lives.
As an aside, and for those puzzled about the social work aspect of probation work and its value to the service, they might be interested in the following video.
Theres some pretty good points to be picked out, even if you're not a believer.
https://youtu.be/4UKbFQWL0r0
'Getafix
Thank you Getafix from the bottom of my despairing heart. That was a timely bit of encouragement. I'm still there in work, still bring my values, but while I do what I do, I feel I'm swimming against the tide
Delete"We advised assisted and befriended"
ReplyDeleteThose are the pillars right there, not all this "risk assess, manage, and shave a bit of the first quarter" nonsense with a bit of firing responsibility bullets for good measure.
I have the feeling the likes of us, commenting here, are in a 'social media echo chamber' ... echo chamber ... echo chamber😔😐 🙄 It all feels fruitless, after years of people like us trying to get the point across. Even some ('of us') old timers who had reached the top and were in positions to manage the whole shabby business - literally - got bought off with wads of cash, to compensate for their principles, and manage the whole darn downfall before they made the sharp exit they'd been promised (or do I mean tempted by - and that's being generous) - happy to go off into their retirement sunsets, or newly promised careers, with their nice comfortable - mostly genuinely well-deserved, local gov pensions.
ReplyDeleteWater under the bridge as they say, move on, nothing to see here. People have got families to support, mortgages to pay, so will swallow it and get on with the job as-is now. The days of people having the balls to stand up and be counted are long gone.
If only the lock up and throw away the key brigade knew or even cared to find our how much it costs the taxpayers to keep people inside ... It would probably be cheaper to just send then to Eton 😉
"As an aside, and for those puzzled about the social work aspect of probation work and its value to the service, they might be interested in the following video.
ReplyDeleteTheres some pretty good points to be picked out, even if you're not a believer."
I think the problem with the 'social work' aspect, is that social work was historically antagonistic to the working class, at least proto-social work was, and even in more recent times its something that can be punitive to people, rather than helpful.
Times change, practice changes, nothing stays the same forever and the constant looking back to the good old times is pure indulgence for those who found it easier to dodge the fundamental obligation to protect the public. Tell the victims of violence your social work stance, tell them it’s about befriending etc etc. times change, practice changes - move with it or step aside and let others take the service forward. You don’t hear many people banging on about Betamax videos and how HD streaming isn’t the answer.
ReplyDeleteIn what way is befriending, assisting, and advising offenders in conflict with protecting the public anon 15:57 ?
DeleteWe preach , we breach ,we teach the new criminology robot mantra
ReplyDeleteAnon 15;57 "the good old times is pure indulgence for those who found it easier to dodge the fundamental obligation to protect the public."
ReplyDeleteThat's complete bollocks!
39 years in been in every job department role . Well not courts so much in those days . Let me tell you something about ethos values beliefs befriending. A pool table table tennis a canteen a meeting room a resources room and daily supplies of health kits. A multi agency staffing of skilled and volunteers and 30 plus specialised offending division. In this case youth under 21. Some here recognise the days of yots. Our clients are cooked cleaned socialised discussed solved fixed and supported eachother . Friendships were formed sofa surfing help shared digs and fags. Developed cohesive operational relationships with professionals in health probation police . Crime came down police intelligence went up probation orders met properly. Employment services baseline needs met in training courses and jobs seekers. No missed appointments partnerships flourished in food shape and charity shops. The church and homeless support made an appearance . There were dramas there was criticisms . Patrons of the unit from the magistrates to judges all had mixed views but the period brought in funding from lottery council women's services and specific needs health. Drugs were a continual battle area but the appropriate professionals and volunteers worked within the hub of core dependencies. Women were protected with specialised services and resources. Women's only days and activities. You know the stuff . Staffing skills went up in terms of mamsbgmentncris
DeleteCrisis management and yet staff were eager to attend sessions help and see the change in a person's well being and life prospects. Probation work in a social context of befriending advising a!d actively assisting really did work. This aspect the social working ethos paid real dividends crime reduced unemployment down in yots attenders and accomodations security improved. The facts are less offending less victims less social problems with more beneficial strategies to attack the causes of crime deputation and unhealthy lifestyles. Day centres worked probation worked the social work ethos delivered. Let's help the blinded abuse from above find their way back.
DeleteThat's how we protected the public by reducing crime.
DeleteAnon 15:57
ReplyDeleteI agree times have changed and we have to change, however there are a lot of things that do not change. There are different types of people who respond to different approaches.
I agree that the first part of our role is protect the public by doing safeguarding checks and meetings, drug testing, setting boundaries and ensuring that people comply, along with all the other stuff that you will already know. We also have an obligation to protect the public through rehabilitation, this is not just doing the “accredited” worksheets that are in place as they are one size fits all. Probation should encourage innovations and allow people who have done courses in Drugs and Alcohol, PD, Mental Health or which ever courses to use those taught accredited skills. Less centralised robotic, after all we are dealing with people who are all very different. Look at your opinion compared to others on this blog, difference is good.
Disciplined approach or Advised assisted and befriend. Did say depends on the person and in many cases both he carrot and the stick. Many of our POP’s have not had that from others and it is a important role for probation to play, we can’t just be safeguarding, interventions, boundaries and recall/breach as that is not how many people including our POP’s will progress in their lives. An example. Some people find it better to move forward and progress with the Paratrooper Sgt Major screaming in their ear shouting things like “your scum, your not good enough, why don’t you just get down go off and have a little cry”. They become angry with the Sgt Major and are determined to prove him/her wrong. Great if that’s their way. Other people don’t move forward like that and they need to be advised, assisted and befriended in a more supportive manor like services used to do. Some people need both.
Safeguarding, rehabilitation and flexible approaches protect the public. I can say to a victim of violent crime that we recalled quickly and now they feel better but we all know that without rehabilitation and support the person will often come out with even more pro-criminal attitudes if the rehabilitation and support have not been offered. They then create more victims. Who does that help, well insurance companies, lock smiths, cheap alcohol shops, drug dealers, prison food suppliers, certain politicians etc. Not victims or the public.
We need the old timers to teach the newer people how to properly do all approaches. People are also more likely to stay if they feel good about protecting the public with support as well as the other stuff.
There is a report of increase violent crime, I wonder how much of that is due to overstretched staff and too much robotic processes.
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/crimeinenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2022
(I’m a newish timer)
@anon 19:26 - all true, and we need the state on side to provide those basic needs like housing, healthcare, and employment. Positive change doesn't just happen in a vacuum. What good is a change in attitude if an offenders met with the same obstacles that might of contributed to them offending in the first place ? (and I'm talking about non-violent or sexual offenders here).
DeleteWhy is it any different for non violent or sexual offenders. All deserve help and support.
DeleteIt tires me to hear that “I don’t like working with sexual offenders / I treat violent offenders more harshly” attitude.
Y’all signed up to help all offenders.
I dont work with violent or sexual offenders so Im not aware of the factors contributing to them offending, not because I believe they dont deserve help.
DeleteExactly my point !
DeleteYour point being ?
Delete“the first part of our role is protect the public”
ReplyDeleteNo it isn’t. Public protection and risk management had nothing to do with probation work in previous eras. Then Hazel Kemshall came along and probation lapped up every last word as it fulfilled the ‘tough on crime” agenda. They threw enforcement, OASys and MAPPA into the mix and boom, probation became a science.
a pseudo-science
DeleteWhile we're on about pseudo science, you can add psychiatry and psychology.
DeleteHere here! 'newish timer'! It's all about the individual - as are MOST things in life actually. The RECIPROCAL communication is the wayforward in most things. One way - in ANY relationship is doomed, whether personal, professional, Corporate. Sadly it feels like no one has the time for any of that any more, in virtually EVERY setting. How on earth have we all ended up here?
DeleteLife changes, that's for sure, not always for the better.
Humanity is in short supply if you ask me. Well done to those soldiering on, against the odds
In the video I highlighted yesterday I was struck by the notion that probation had moved away from 'casework ' to 'caseloads'.
DeleteIt may seem a tenuous distinction on the face of it, but I think it's a huge difference.
'Getafix
Anon 11:10 asks "How on earth have we all ended up here ?"
DeletePoliticians from Thatcher to now pushing neoliberalism.
"I was struck by the notion that probation had moved away from 'casework ' to 'caseloads'.
DeleteIt may seem a tenuous distinction on the face of it, but I think it's a huge difference."
Could you elaborate more on the differences Getafix ? My understanding of casework, which is what social work comes from, is that it was against more universal and collective approaches to alleviate poverty, focusing instead on the individual and trying to change individual character rather than 'the system'.