tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post5582036000956392207..comments2024-03-28T19:11:47.821+00:00Comments on On Probation Blog: New Probation PrioritiesJim Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-3034176944310928462015-11-18T00:09:19.795+00:002015-11-18T00:09:19.795+00:00It takes 15 months if you already hold relevant de...It takes 15 months if you already hold relevant degree. This is the only route really being used hence the influx of fresh faced graduates. Not all degrees are actually 'relevant', eg police studies, and 15 months is not long enough to be grounded in probation work/knowledge from scratch. If this is being further reduced to a year then it's pointless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-90337678496484197262015-11-17T22:58:41.440+00:002015-11-17T22:58:41.440+00:00The new training takes substantially more than a y...The new training takes substantially more than a year to complete Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-32605799429701798512015-11-17T00:25:59.390+00:002015-11-17T00:25:59.390+00:00CRC PO training *should* be the same as NPS, given...CRC PO training *should* be the same as NPS, given that it's a national qualification and training arrangement. Whether the CRCs are willing to fund the training, is another matter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-30144796274880906432015-11-17T00:24:41.891+00:002015-11-17T00:24:41.891+00:00@19:55 That's exactly the point I made. Qualif...@19:55 That's exactly the point I made. Qualifications aren't a fool-proof guarantee of quality - and the lack of qualifications certainly isn't any indication of lack of competence - but they are a benchmark.<br /><br />In many cases I think the role boundaries have been eroded out of a sheer sense of goodwill, e.g. court PO X is off sick during the summer holidays, court SPO Y doesn't have anyone to cover, so asks court PSO Z - who's good at their job and well-liked by the bench - to step in for a little while. PSO Z feels flattered by the request and is confident in their ability to write some reports rather than just answering questions about those written by POs A, B and C back at the office, so agrees. 6 months down the line, PO X is back at work but grateful to have someone else helping with the never-ending tide of reports, and SPO Y is flattered by comments from the bench about their 'promotion' of PSO Z. End result: PSO Z carries on doing reports but without getting any extra remuneration.<br /><br />That process - albeit with slight variations in each case - happened in two of the courts I've worked at, and I would be astonished if it hadn't happened elsewhere. I suspect the case of the counsellor mentioned by Jim above (and how dangerous is that, by the way?) is a similar situation - someone offering their help and having their hand bitten off, but without the proper framework in place to ensure quality.<br /><br />When I call it "de-professionalism" I certainly don't mean any slight on PSOs' competence or attitude. I mean the removal of clear standards from what is still, despite Failing Grayling's efforts, considered a profession. If we allow this to happen then everyone will be ridden over with some very rough shoes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-10920722303976067992015-11-16T23:04:00.170+00:002015-11-16T23:04:00.170+00:00I disagree. In most places PSO's did not write...I disagree. In most places PSO's did not write Pre Sentence Reports, did not supervise high risk of harm cases, did not complete parole reports and attend hearings. There are other functions that on probation officers could do which is reflective of training/qualification and pay. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-53924982106778204622015-11-16T22:58:50.446+00:002015-11-16T22:58:50.446+00:00A years training is not enough to be a probation o...A years training is not enough to be a probation officer. Even the current PQF model of 18 months is not enough and the result is fresh faced uni grads with a diploma and not enough understanding of the job. Do they still complete a degree programme?<br /><br />More reason to now state qualifications next to name in emails and formal letters/reports. Being a probation officer is a profession and we should ensure all are aware that we are qualified, and of the point the job was de-professionalised.<br /><br />The advocates of the old training programme fought hard to keep it as part of a university degree programme, and rightly so. In a few years from now if the Tories are successful in removing the training altogether it will be important to know who trained as CQSW, DipSW, DipPS, etc.<br /><br />Andrew, I understand your point that you should have done this when the social work qualification was removed.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-88030833904494540952015-11-16T21:13:38.708+00:002015-11-16T21:13:38.708+00:00NPS priorities are also changing with regards to f...NPS priorities are also changing with regards to future probation officer trainees. <br />Firstly it is open to anyone who is willing to pay (approx £1000) to complete number of University modules. Secondly, passing the modules will not guarantee one a place as one will have to go through a selection process. Lastly, the new training will be for a year only. <br /><br />I don't know what CRC probation officer training will look like. Perhaps, someone can comment.<br /><br />I don't know what NPS will look like in the future but I can only try my best. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-73298358884882209282015-11-16T19:55:56.578+00:002015-11-16T19:55:56.578+00:0003:31 assumption wrong. PSOs doing the same roles ...03:31 assumption wrong. PSOs doing the same roles for year no pay recognition is the exploitation that has been supported by the status PO nothing more or less. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-14443560042464552512015-11-16T08:19:47.120+00:002015-11-16T08:19:47.120+00:00I'm off to an oral hearing today, on my own, t...I'm off to an oral hearing today, on my own, to face the panel, client, hmp, secretary of state representative and defence solicitor. To represent the service I love and I accept that responsibility, as we provide the risk manage plan, nobody else. I do so, proud of my credentials, but also my knowledge and experience of working with those who present the greatest risk to others! <br /><br />The client group do not present an equal risk, so different responses and knowledge is required to address this! The parole board want me to fix my colours to the mast, keep in, go to open or release today, and I get paid to take on that responsibility which, in my book seems fair! In every other profession the risks people take, the responsibility they take for those risks, so it's no different in the public sector, be it police, fire fighters, medicine, social work, so unless you're prepared to get the necessary credentials, enjoy the job you do, to the best of your ability, but resist the temptation to think "it's all common sense" if it were my oral hearing would not throuw up the levels of aniexty it has, even when I'm on solid ground!<br /><br />I have always had a strong belief in just accepting, you don't know, is what you don't know! Happy Monday!30 years innoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-53947399455124551092015-11-16T08:02:52.114+00:002015-11-16T08:02:52.114+00:00Volunteers are already doing clerical work in one ...Volunteers are already doing clerical work in one CRC I know of and effectively acting in loco parentis for qualified staff in supervising offenders. I've heard of one volunteer with a counselling qualification undertaking such work - but with absolutely no qualified supervision - in direct contravention of professional standards and best practice.Jim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-16093657688572346702015-11-16T07:59:58.797+00:002015-11-16T07:59:58.797+00:00Me neither!Me neither!30 years innoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-29627224918414534672015-11-16T07:21:40.017+00:002015-11-16T07:21:40.017+00:00I am not and have never been an Offender Manager, ...I am not and have never been an Offender Manager, were I to manage their offending they would be better at it. If you want to give me a stupid title call me a "Desistance Manager". Or better a Probation Officer as that is what I amAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-17131132480228790782015-11-16T06:57:48.032+00:002015-11-16T06:57:48.032+00:00No such guest blog piece has arrived.No such guest blog piece has arrived.Jim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-27917153274407983082015-11-16T03:32:30.124+00:002015-11-16T03:32:30.124+00:0023:44, are you Phil Andrew from Working Links?23:44, are you Phil Andrew from Working Links?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-5712282413437489182015-11-16T03:31:41.735+00:002015-11-16T03:31:41.735+00:0023:46 and 00:22 (assuming you're the same pers...23:46 and 00:22 (assuming you're the same person) - I think you've missed the point. No-one is trying to do you down. The NPS and some CRCs are blurring the role boundaries dangerously and it will be to everyone's detriment. <br /><br />You do FDRs, SFRs and risk assessments? Well done, I'm sure you do it well, and the court PSOs that I know are extremely competent. But it wasn't that long ago that a PSO wouldn't have be put in that position because of proper role boundaries. Effectively you're being asked to do work that a PO would have done a few years ago, but without the extra pay. Some people might call that being exploited, not equality.<br /><br />I don't know your background - perhaps you didn't want to train as a PO, perhaps you didn't have the opportunity - but I'm sure if you had you would be extremely proud of the qualification, as it's a demanding couple of years. I've supported PSOs to gain their VQ3 qualifications and I know they were all chuffed to bits when they completed them. Why shouldn't anyone else be proud of what they've achieved?<br /><br />By standing up for professional qualifications people are trying to resist a dangerous tide of de-professionalism. When I go to see my GP, I want to know that he's a doctor, not just a "health manager". If I speak to an architect, I want to know that she's a member of RIBA, not just a "blueprint developer." If they remove the value of the PO qualification, what's to stop them coming after PSOs too? How long before a well-meaning volunteer is doing some of your paperwork and then deciding that they can do just as good a risk assessment, but for free?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-52044401000755813762015-11-16T03:20:38.663+00:002015-11-16T03:20:38.663+00:00@ 00:25 That's outrageous classism! How dare y...@ 00:25 That's outrageous classism! How dare you privilege your "working class credentials" over my white middle class socialist identity. That's not on. I hope Jim doesn't post your guest blog.<br /><br />/ironyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-64475868143086071672015-11-16T01:02:48.370+00:002015-11-16T01:02:48.370+00:00Good for you. Yes most PO's and PSO's do s...Good for you. Yes most PO's and PSO's do simile roles nowadays, though hierarchy is ever present in probation and has its pros and cons. But let's not slate the gaining and sharing of qualifications, it's the norm for the psychologists, counsellors, tutors, medics and even support staff I work with. It's a good thing for staff and clients alike.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-75968625851756297772015-11-16T00:52:20.584+00:002015-11-16T00:52:20.584+00:00No other race would have had the opportunity to fi...No other race would have had the opportunity to fill all of those positions, let alone be given an award!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-26519231124794426072015-11-16T00:25:12.738+00:002015-11-16T00:25:12.738+00:00Not on. No other race and gender would have been p...Not on. No other race and gender would have been pointed out in a pejorative manner like that. I'm out - and I've done a guest blog, revealing my own working class credentials. Very sad. Thought better of you Jim.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-89724350133371999852015-11-16T00:22:33.560+00:002015-11-16T00:22:33.560+00:00What a load of status rot . I do all the roles req...What a load of status rot . I do all the roles required me I don't care what I am called at all . Delivering FDR delivering in court breaches and swearing them in all no problem. Writing SFRs risk assessment no problem I am well qualified and all the letters I need at my desk is PSO ! Grow up you lot its over, learn what equality means and you might have had a chance with support. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-15159463834233553462015-11-16T00:21:40.090+00:002015-11-16T00:21:40.090+00:00More like cutting costs and making profit!More like cutting costs and making profit!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-56685933451981388672015-11-16T00:15:38.970+00:002015-11-16T00:15:38.970+00:00Not so. I just see people saying that they're ...Not so. I just see people saying that they're proud to be qualified and able to do the job we love, even if the government doesn't give a rats arse about us. Most PO's are highly educated but most people don't know this, and when many of the other professions we work with are required to state their qualifications. The comment in the title post says be proud to be a PO, and don't let them turn us into 'offender managers'. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-92057796540772352352015-11-15T23:46:55.542+00:002015-11-15T23:46:55.542+00:00There is a lot of dick measuring on here with peop...There is a lot of dick measuring on here with people pulling out their qualifications. Why? Come on guys. Have some class. I've got no university qualification and I do my bit day in day out protecting the public. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-39379810587052340632015-11-15T23:44:12.390+00:002015-11-15T23:44:12.390+00:00The only priorities are the service levels and red...The only priorities are the service levels and reducing Re - offending. That's all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-69564168995069416592015-11-15T22:33:40.982+00:002015-11-15T22:33:40.982+00:00I agree, where are the ethnic or female faces. No ...I agree, where are the ethnic or female faces. No diversity at the top.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com