tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post5579810168956203386..comments2024-03-19T11:00:28.509+00:00Comments on On Probation Blog: Probation Institute RespondsJim Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-6965794100812959472015-12-07T00:24:01.084+00:002015-12-07T00:24:01.084+00:00False advertising from website of the Probation In...False advertising from website of the Probation Institute;<br /><br /><br />"Your professional voice will have greater reach. The Institute is also taking a role in explaining the work of probation to the media, parliamentarians and the public, promoting a better understanding of the work in the sector, and, based on evidence, influencing the development of criminal justice, and relevant social, health, training and employment policies."<br /><br /><br />This is a lie because the Probation Institute has failed to make statements about the negative and detrimental impact on probation by TR, E3, cuts, redundancies, etc. Paul Senior speaks of a "forward looking agenda" but this is impossible if there is to be nothing of probation left! Either the Probation Institute makes some drastic changes or it gets used to being a probation institute without any probation officers! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-24071181630891243902015-12-05T18:11:52.634+00:002015-12-05T18:11:52.634+00:00I've been thinking the same. There's scope...I've been thinking the same. There's scope for a much more representative and responsive institute for probation. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-87490104526662851102015-12-05T10:19:11.539+00:002015-12-05T10:19:11.539+00:00I joined and then resigned from the PI. I consider...I joined and then resigned from the PI. I considered myself to be an innovative Probation Officer with trustworthy values, and I had started a private consultancy that had nothing to do with TR (other than being spawned out of frustration with it). I trusted (and still trust) Paul and Sue and so I justified my membership of it. But it felt uncomfortable and I made my excuses to leave. The most uncomfortable part would now be knowing that someone with no qualification in Probation can be higher up the PI 'hierarchy' (By the way, why does there need to be a hierarchy? I know Sue likes them, but surely you just need to differentiate between members who are qualified and unqualified, and if someone who is not qualified merits an award for outstanding contribution they can be given that accolade)<br /><br />I have considered rejoining but it isn't going to happen until this latter issue is addressed. I have instead joined NOTA and found better merit in doing this. I will think about other such organisations that are more specialised, and haven't burdened and compromised themselves with political baggage.<br /><br />If anyone wants to start an independent institute from the bottom up, then express it here and I will speak to Jim privately about doing a guest blog. After all, it's Christmas drinks on Tuesday!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-91127114771203497232015-12-05T09:50:26.271+00:002015-12-05T09:50:26.271+00:00The PI has teeth, it's just choosing not to us...The PI has teeth, it's just choosing not to use them. What other organisation could potentially stand up for good practice in probation work and challenge the appalling cuts being announced? Some people will always dismiss the word of trade unions as being self-interested, but the PI is in a unique position of being able to make a stand, if it chose to. It's just choosing not to, thereby showing where its loyalties really lie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-31910343875493715502015-12-05T07:52:56.009+00:002015-12-05T07:52:56.009+00:00And Tessa Webb, former CEO of BeNCH CRC (aka Sodex...And Tessa Webb, former CEO of BeNCH CRC (aka Sodexo)?<br /><br />And will the PI keep hobnobbing with the CEO of MTCNovo (potential future fellow!)?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-67319636970169336082015-12-04T23:27:14.112+00:002015-12-04T23:27:14.112+00:00And, Mr Senior, with this in mind will John Wisema...And, Mr Senior, with this in mind will John Wiseman remain a fellow of the PI?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-28092570051551121902015-12-04T23:22:15.659+00:002015-12-04T23:22:15.659+00:00Mr Senior, Napo are reporting that Working Links w...Mr Senior, Napo are reporting that Working Links will follow Sodexho and cut 40% of staff. How can the PI stay silent about such devastating cuts whilst still claiming to be defending the professionalism of probation? Probation practitioners are being consigned to the scrap heap and vocations left in tatters.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-17069926767486278972015-12-04T23:10:06.210+00:002015-12-04T23:10:06.210+00:00The worst thing about all this is that the PI is r...The worst thing about all this is that the PI is reading this and isn't doing anything about it. Thinking more about this I'm actually annoyed that the PI has basically messed up an opportunity to introduce a professional association for probation / probation officers. Instead of listening to the professionals the PI falsely claims to represent, Paul Senior is representing wrong and strong to say the least. It's a bit of a cheek to quote our words, ignore our concerns and then still ask us to join up!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-49211811156417614672015-12-04T22:47:29.445+00:002015-12-04T22:47:29.445+00:00FROM TWITTER: -
" Conservative Reject @Iba...FROM TWITTER: -<br /><br />" Conservative Reject @Ibanez7 · 13m13 minutes ago <br /> M'cr CRC gets the Chiefs 'Blog' weekly, Yesterday it spoke of .... Job losses early 2016 #2fingers2Interserve<br /><br />https://twitter.com/Ibanez7/status/672906297415745537 "<br /><br />Andrew_S_Hattonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09115192522317353139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-68339454232700511982015-12-04T21:24:26.699+00:002015-12-04T21:24:26.699+00:00It is very bizarre!It is very bizarre!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-41676155536639686492015-12-04T20:58:09.272+00:002015-12-04T20:58:09.272+00:00Anon 10:44. I have spoken to the PI and it amounte...Anon 10:44. I have spoken to the PI and it amounted to nothing. I have expressed views here, as we all have, but by Prof Seniors response this has amounted to nothing too. I fear the comments of Anon 10:21 are all too true and that the PI is destined to be nothing more than an organisation scrapping around for any bit of funding here and there, and by its own doing. The fact is that it does not have to be this way had it taken on board advice to slow down a little, to slightly shift direction and to model itself on being a professional institute for the professionals first and foremost. Probation officers and the probation service are the brand and should have been considered the nucleus and main focus, and the other players would have jumped on board anyway. The problem is that it was flawed at inception as it was implemented by probation Chiefs (PA and PCA), most which had already showed their disregard for probation, probation officers and proper probation practice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-85509768506582859862015-12-04T20:56:57.001+00:002015-12-04T20:56:57.001+00:00Thanks Andrew - this will be the subject of tomorr...Thanks Andrew - this will be the subject of tomorrow's blog.Jim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-64198133878544396492015-12-04T20:44:27.952+00:002015-12-04T20:44:27.952+00:00The answer is no. Even worse is that the PI recogn...The answer is no. Even worse is that the PI recognises non-qualified persons on its register as equal and above qualified persons. It also flirts with organisations (including the Ministry of Justice) that are actively introducing policies that are downgrading probation practice and methods.Probation Officernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-74813204815153548072015-12-04T20:40:43.669+00:002015-12-04T20:40:43.669+00:00Voices
.
FROM the Independent
Headline
"Tax...Voices<br />.<br />FROM the Independent<br /><br />Headline<br /><br />"Tax on justice: Victory in our campaign to repeal the atrocious criminal courts charge<br /><br />Now Michael Gove should tackle the contracting out of much of the probation service to private firms "<br /><br />http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/tax-on-justice-victory-in-our-campaign-to-repeal-the-atrocious-criminal-courts-charge-a6759576.html<br /><br />It was an editorial - 22 hours later the online article had not attracted one comment - almost no one caresAndrew_S_Hattonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09115192522317353139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-91048099241022524572015-12-04T20:36:20.149+00:002015-12-04T20:36:20.149+00:00I totally agree. Even if it had engaged with and s...I totally agree. Even if it had engaged with and supported probation first and the others (MoJ, privateers and 'Sodexo managers') after this would have been better. By instead equalling probation, probation officers and recognised probation practice with the rest it feels as if we've been brushed aside. Really big mistake by the PI as this is deeply unappealing and it now digs it's hole further by not doing enough to be appealing to the qualified professionals (NPS and CRC). I don't see why anyone would want to join this organisation which mostly fails to recognise and benefit the professionals.Probation Officernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-28216950620884281182015-12-04T20:28:23.209+00:002015-12-04T20:28:23.209+00:00I suspect it might be a case of picking up on a Na...I suspect it might be a case of picking up on a Napo press release from yesterday:-<br /><br />Napo is delighted to hear that the Lord Chancellor Michael Gove has decided to abolish the Criminal Court Charge. This draconian charge introduced by the previous Lord Chancellor Chris Grayling was having a disproportionate impact on offenders and gave no discretion to sentencers. <br /><br />Alongside other justice organisations Napo has campaigned for the charge to be scrapped from day one. Evidence suggested that defendants were pleading guilty to offences they had not committed in order to avoid the compulsory charge. There was also mounting evidence to suggest that imposing the charge on homeless or very low income offenders for minor offences such as shop theft was resulting in disproportionate sentences and leaving the defendants in debt that they could not be realistically expected to pay. <br /><br />Ian Lawrence General Secretary said “This is a great victory for all those who campaigned against it, and we hope now that Michael Gove will go on to review other failing reforms imposed by Chris Grayling such as the privatization of the Probation service”.<br />Jim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-73617511314836722772015-12-04T19:00:19.269+00:002015-12-04T19:00:19.269+00:00Article in i paper today. Speculating that Gove re...Article in i paper today. Speculating that Gove reviewing TR given the mess it is in. This is following on from his decision to abolish court costs which resulted in many magistrates resigning. Descrbes crisis in Probation. Could it be ? Journalists have their sources. No smoke without fire ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-5114968273282398602015-12-04T18:30:07.712+00:002015-12-04T18:30:07.712+00:00To 10:44 of I thought the PI would help maintain o...To 10:44 of I thought the PI would help maintain our profession I would join. But in it's current guise it runs the risk of destroying it further. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-80622297169628154162015-12-04T16:06:51.583+00:002015-12-04T16:06:51.583+00:00I was grateful when Paul Senior spoke up for proba...I was grateful when Paul Senior spoke up for probation when this whole mess started and during the split BUT he misses the very basic point that the gold standard for probation work is the Probation Officer Qualification, in its various guises over time. To be a Probation Officer is the fundamental probation role. That this is not recognised by the PI is the single reason most of us will never join.To get something so basic so wrong needs rectifying before the PI holds any authority over practitioners. In my previous profession I hold qualifications that would enable me to be a Fellow but the only one that holds meaning and relevance is my Dip PS which ranks me below this. It is simply bizarre and shows disrespect for our profession.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-6358758020500549682015-12-04T14:36:11.263+00:002015-12-04T14:36:11.263+00:00If the Government 'bellieves it works' bef...If the Government 'bellieves it works' before it has been tested, piloted, evaluated and in place for more than 10 months, then it is just as legitimate to 'believe' in Santa. TR 'works' because the Minstry of Truth continues to tell us that 'it works'. It measures what it knows will 'evidence' the fact. It's Orwell in practice. Everyone knows it and many even say so but we have entered a truthspeak era in politics. The truth is no longer reliable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-11098514970731274192015-12-04T14:28:40.215+00:002015-12-04T14:28:40.215+00:00Paul was certainly very vocal on Twitter before he...Paul was certainly very vocal on Twitter before he became chair of the PI and I have to say I welcomed his appointment. I am not convinced that the PI are in anyone's pocket but, nevertheless, do believe that they are trying to shut the door after the horse has bolted. I agree completey that, in order to be credible, they need to engage with the MOJ, CRCs etc but, for Probation in terms of it's value and established concepts of good practice etc, these parties are part of the problem and not the solution. Whatever else it does, it makes the idea of PI membership deeply unappealing to those who these parties have compromised. Like a Labour voter joining a right wing think tank so they can 'have a voice', it feels incongruent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-71264238445464101092015-12-04T12:02:35.621+00:002015-12-04T12:02:35.621+00:00I agree it is a zombie organisation with no teeth....I agree it is a zombie organisation with no teeth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-10550825267617399032015-12-04T10:44:26.400+00:002015-12-04T10:44:26.400+00:00I have been reading a lot of the Blogs published o...I have been reading a lot of the Blogs published on this site and the one thing that has struck me about them all is that everyone is happy to poke prod, criticise and say what needs to be done, but are not willing to step up and do anything , I also take it that none of you have even had the courage to speak to the PI on a one to one basis . <br /><br />If you all put as much effort into getting on with the job and maintain your professional integrity without lowering yourself to this old man moaning , maybe those with the ability to listen would. <br /><br />TR has happened, that is the fact of the matter, as far as the government is concerned it works. it wont go back to what it was no matter how much you all moan and grown. This happened to the Prisons during privatisation. It seems to me that the PI are trying to bring the sector together to ensure it remains professional. <br /><br />We are not that special, so wake up and smell the coffee.<br /><br />We should rally together, keep our integrity and professional status. if that means we join the PI then fine, but if you don't want to that's fine too, just don't keep wringing about the fact no one is helping to maintain the Profession. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-92195111348196901052015-12-04T10:21:22.222+00:002015-12-04T10:21:22.222+00:00For all its entertainment, Paul's invitation t...For all its entertainment, Paul's invitation to treat cannot work to dispel the concerns held by hard working colleagues across the land that to be truly independent of the MOJ and to set standards for the profession, and enhance its reputation, the institute it needs to liken itself to a regulatory body very much of the sort set for lawyers, doctors, and nurses. Don't buy it folks, this is a Zombie organisation that cannot enhance practice as it has little or no control over the standards of qualification, and professional conduct, from which to drive through other changes set for the services. The legal services Board, for example works in collaboration with the Solicitors regulatory authority to work in corroboration to set the practice throughout the jurisdiction to promote an independent, strong, diverse and effective profession. We've all had zombie experiences, either when receiving their products and services or embedded in one at work. The absence of leadership in many parts of the NPS service, and poor infrastructure is unlikely to unlock the door to innovation, and excellence. The Institute is destined, I suspect to walk aimlessly through the derelict aftermath, picking up scraps of funding from various sources and regurgitating information that cannot keep up the fast changing political and operational environment. Be warned. However, well intentioned this Institute may be, stay well clear of this dead Zombie architecture and don't end paying any money unless that it can demonstrate it can radically alter its own constitution. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-16120450178012305272015-12-04T08:49:30.560+00:002015-12-04T08:49:30.560+00:00As a DipSW qualified CRC employee, I am registered...As a DipSW qualified CRC employee, I am registered as a Social Worker on my nation's Care Council Register. There are sanctions and de-registration if I fail to adhere to the Code of Ethics. Does the same apply to PI members who fail to abide by the PI's Code of Ethics? Regularly witness and experience the effects of breaches of 'integrity'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com