tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post6650278016979039865..comments2024-03-29T13:05:24.150+00:00Comments on On Probation Blog: Some Observations 21Jim Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-52580834583617254222014-07-04T13:45:22.270+01:002014-07-04T13:45:22.270+01:00THE Scots were over 20 years ahead setting up the ...THE Scots were over 20 years ahead setting up the 'Scottish Central Probation Council' in 1931 as reported in The House of Lords by Lord Amulree, The Secretary of State for Air in introducing the 2nd Reading of the Probation of Offenders Scotland Bill on 1st July 1931 when he said: -<br /><br />" There is one further matter that I should mention, although it does not arise in the Bill. In connection with the administration of the Scottish probation service my right hon. friend the Secretary of State for Scotland contemplates the appointment of a small body to be known as the Scottish Central Probation Council to assist him with advice on probation matters. This is not provided for in the Bill, as it can be done administratively. Little expense, I am informed, will be entailed, as the staff of the existing Scottish Juvenile Welfare and Aftercare Office in Edinburgh will be available to the new Advisory Council for the purposes of its work. It will, of course, be the endeavour of the Secretary of State if and when the Council is appointed, to obtain the services of persons well qualified to assist him on probation questions. The Bill seeks to make the probation system effective. It is based largely upon the Report of the Morton Committee and on the results achieved from the operation of the English Act. The principle of the Bill was accepted by all Parties in another place, and I hope it will receive your Lordships' favourable consideration. I beg to move that the Bill be now read a second time. "<br /><br />Googling is a fascinating waste of time but oh how it must aid historians!<br /><br />http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/lords/1931/jul/01/probation-of-offenders-scotland-billAndrew_S_Hattonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09115192522317353139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-1284929724541320502014-07-04T13:26:13.301+01:002014-07-04T13:26:13.301+01:00History of Probation - Extracts - The Probation As...History of Probation - Extracts - The Probation Association<br /><br />http://www.probationassociation.co.uk/about-us/history-of-probation.aspx<br /><br />- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - <br /><br />The 1925 Criminal Justice Act establishes probation committees and the appointment of probation officers becomes a requirement of the courts.<br /><br />1952 - The Central Council of Probation - the forerunner of the Probation Association - is formed to speak with one voice for all employee probation committees. Home Secretary Rab Butler attends and says: "I think that your service is perhaps the most devoted in the country."<br />Andrew_S_Hattonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09115192522317353139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-41464884160937371432014-07-04T13:02:08.481+01:002014-07-04T13:02:08.481+01:00For what it is worth it is published online in the...For what it is worth it is published online in the This is Wiltshire .co.uk website and presumably various print newspapers.<br /><br />http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/11319295.Companies_bid_to_take_over_probation_service/<br /><br />I also see there are more resignations of directors of the Probation Association's Ltd Company, I expect a windup will follow, that whole strand of governance of probation and avenue for advice and consultation that goes back many decades is being removed, leaving the MOJ in charge ever more.<br /><br />The Probation of Offenders Act in 1907 was permissive legislation allowing magistrates to manage matters as they thought best, now it is completely centralised in the era of the Big Society and localism - George Orwell's 'Newspeak' warnings, have been completely ignored despite 1984 being a set book for so many when they studied as young people!<br /><br />http://www.companieslist.co.uk/01352502-the-probation-association-limited?utm_source=watchdog&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=watchdog-01352502Andrew_S_Hattonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09115192522317353139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-5784943296632412982014-07-04T06:39:18.610+01:002014-07-04T06:39:18.610+01:00Thanks - could we have the source and link please?...Thanks - could we have the source and link please? Cheers.Jim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-16231004575212017882014-07-04T05:49:45.033+01:002014-07-04T05:49:45.033+01:00Companies bid to take over probation service
By D...Companies bid to take over probation service<br /><br />By Dominic Gilbert<br /><br />THE BEST performing probation trust in the country covering Wiltshire and Swindon has now disappeared and been replaced by a ‘shadow form’ while private companies bid to take over.<br /><br />Earlier this year a number of demonstrations were held as probation workers downed tools in protest over the privatisation of up to 70 per cent of the workforce.<br /><br />While many members are now resigned to the changes going ahead, there are still major concerns ahead of the preferred bidder being announced.<br /><br />This week the Probation Association issued a warning ahead of departing the scene completely in their ‘Parting Shot’. A spokesman for the Probation Association said: “The Probation Association is departing the scene at the point at which implementation of the reforms will start to bite in operational terms. As the Ministry of Justice itself says, there will be a period of transition in which teething problems can be expected.<br /><br />“We see the proposal to fragment offender management and to compete the offender management of lower risk offenders as increasing the risk to public safety and damaging the relationship with the courts and consequently the credibility of court orders.”<br /><br />Paul Aviss, chairman of Wiltshire Probation Trust, said the initial buck against the plans has now subsided after the Wiltshire Probation Trust officially disappeared at the start of the month.<br /><br />“Locally in the Wiltshire Probation Trust most people are saying they know what is going to be happening, we have some issues but let’s get on with it,” he said.<br /><br />“What has happened is the probation service is being split into two, the part which deals with all the court related matters and higher risk offenders, which will remain in the public domain, and represents between 30 and 40 per cent of all our work.<br /><br />“The remaining balance of 60 to 70 per cent is going to be put out to tender. Wiltshire will become part of Bristol, Gloucester Somerset and Wiltshire contract package area.<br /><br />“The probation trusts effectively ceased on May 31 and these two new organisations came into being on June 1. The contract competition is now well underway, with a view to being an outcome in November or December.<br /><br />“What is happening at the moment is that one of the divisions of community rehabilitation is running in a shadow form.<br /><br />“There is no bidder at the moment, but operations are still going ahead under the Minstry of Justice. During this period we have to make sure it is business as usual.”<br /><br />Probation workers remain concerned about the intentions of private contractors taking over.<br /><br />“From a probation employee’s perspective there is no option about doing this,” Mr Aviss added. “We just have to get on and implement it.<br /><br />“At a local level people are well aware of what their new jobs are going to be and there is a lot of work put in to keep people to date when we do not have answers to their questions. When you are going through major changes quite rightly people will ask how it is going to affect them.<br /><br />“Up to the end of Wiltshire Probation Trust our performance was the best in the country. I think a lot of people’s fears have been assuaged as much as possible by knowing what they are going to be doing.<br /><br />“The roles are not likely to be changing considerably but if you are trying to bring their skills together it will be difficult.<br /><br />“It is about trying to have some kind of common processes and practices in our work across the board.<br /><br />“The concern is that if you have got the likes of a private sector organisation bidder winning then they are understandably driven by profit and the motive will be towards their shareholders.<br /><br />“How that will impact work with offenders could be that a profit needs to be made out of that work. On the other hands we have bidders who are charities who have a different ethos.<br /><br />“That is the next level of uncertainty as to who is going to win and how things will work from there. That will inevitably have an impact on the delivery of services.”Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-38626194578864228712014-07-03T23:22:36.555+01:002014-07-03T23:22:36.555+01:00Wish they had applied the name our of a hat proces...Wish they had applied the name our of a hat process for my team, I'd have had a better chance of getting my preferred allocation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-42561810586588236752014-07-03T23:03:13.026+01:002014-07-03T23:03:13.026+01:00"Anonymous26 November 2013 19:40
Anon 18.30. ..."Anonymous26 November 2013 19:40<br />Anon 18.30. If you think the above is bad wait til you see the actual documentation referred to. In the event a colleague's role doesn't fit the designated assignment process and there is no local assignment process available the MoJ advocates using a random method. It helpfully suggests either flipping a coin, pulling names out of a hat or assigning random numbers. So there you have it, the fate of you probation career could be decided on a flip of a coin. Such is the depths the MoJ have sunk to.............PS locally we favour spinning the bottle as our preferred method, seems as good as any other......" <br /><br />From blog as dated WE ALL KNEW it was out there just pleased it's now getting an airing , timing is everythingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-89467836514381558442014-07-03T22:42:53.317+01:002014-07-03T22:42:53.317+01:00He may not last long but I cannot see them backing...He may not last long but I cannot see them backing down now over this Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-38133291956716984692014-07-03T22:14:40.267+01:002014-07-03T22:14:40.267+01:00Our NPS teams are in tatters. We are in survival m...Our NPS teams are in tatters. We are in survival mode - not even managing to do the bare minimum. Court processes are a disaster. Allocations are all over the place. Many staff have gone off with long sick notes, others have decided it's a good time to have babies (and probably won't come back). It is unsafe. People's personal resources are running out. It's an unbelievable shambles, so news that names were drawn out of a hat is not a surprise. I can't see CG lasting much longer, he's an idiot for all to see, but the damage is done.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-62360100161431963552014-07-03T22:10:30.406+01:002014-07-03T22:10:30.406+01:00These are extremely serious & worrying allegat...These are extremely serious & worrying allegations........if there is evidence surely it must be challengeable.........BobbyjoeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-76187360758340014882014-07-03T22:07:10.947+01:002014-07-03T22:07:10.947+01:00Not aware of it happening with our former Trust be...Not aware of it happening with our former Trust because we were told that all but 4 got their E of I , unless, of course like me you were automatically assigned, in which there was no choice, no chance of grievance or appeal.Speaking as a former union rep there was so much stuff coming at us and so little time we did not have a chance of spotting weasel words in the midst of the volumes<br />.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-51534588718853470372014-07-03T21:52:20.317+01:002014-07-03T21:52:20.317+01:00Some names literally were picked out of a hat . . ...Some names literally were picked out of a hat . . .unfortunately both NAPO and UNISON were well aware of this sifting criteria ! How do I know ? my unison rep told me before we were sifted, in fact he had a bit of a laugh about it. The unions know lots more about the sifting process . . perphaps someone at local level could be brave enough to tell all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-51581744379580940992014-07-03T21:51:29.553+01:002014-07-03T21:51:29.553+01:00No thanxNo thanxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-57820640104856919692014-07-03T21:06:02.212+01:002014-07-03T21:06:02.212+01:00mmmmm.....Andrew Mitchell for Justice???mmmmm.....Andrew Mitchell for Justice???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-17599835255056638462014-07-03T20:49:49.866+01:002014-07-03T20:49:49.866+01:00Anon 20.30, I felt the same fighting the process w...Anon 20.30, I felt the same fighting the process with both managers, colleagues and Aces, no one gave a shit. I'm still the same will never bow down to the disseminating of our service, but just like you I did not get heard especially by those picked out of the hat to be in NPS. I am waiting to be made redundant I hate what has happened to the service and to some of the people whom I thought I could rely on after years of working with them. The British colonial way of divide and rule has worked for centuries but I didn't think the people who work in Probation would fall for it, I thought we all knew better and fought against it, but it continues to be good tool.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-49385066007647976312014-07-03T20:42:47.363+01:002014-07-03T20:42:47.363+01:00IT may well be true and provable by asking for the...IT may well be true and provable by asking for the records to show how selections were made. Many allocations to role that were not challenged may not have been assessed properly. In the original September documents there was a paragraph on random selection there was also the gem line that I had written about in my regular branch report to members. It makes our concerns clear at the time. Sept last year. <br /><br />Policy farce ?<br />Within the duties of the JNCC representatives, a big part includes policy writing and consultation working to agreement. This is little known, outside of the drafting and agreement group, yet recently we have come under some pressure to quickly review the recruitment and selection policy. NAPO throughout the summer had resisted this pressure as we knew it would almost certainly have to be revisited at some point if the worst happens. Also the annual summer leave period saw breaks in the diary. Napo had been assured not by senior management, that amendments to the existing policy were only small in number and reflected updates of the changing legislation. To hurry this along we were encouraged to agree the changes and respond via e-mail. If ever you needed a reason to be wary this was ringing all the wrong bells! We looked at the policy and you will be glad to hear it cannot be agreed. Not only because we put it in the red alert box. It was obvious that events would effectively hold up all policy issues. More obviously any merger with Dorset would change everything. <br />It is important that policies are consistent and fair with due regard to equal opportunity and completely fair process and practices. Napo\Unisons position is to maintain open and transparent selections which are testable and defensible if challenged. You can see our concern at the addition of this line <br />“when staff may need to be assigned to a particular role at the discretion of the Chief Executive following discussion with the person concerned”.<br />It was clear to us any a statement like this renders the rest of the policy useless. Although not taken in complete context it cannot be allowed to stand ! When looking at the current TR agenda one wonders how the author of this line could not understand its potential and the likelihood of it being used more often than not. We will be pursuing where this came from!<br /> During the next 28 days of the consultation process, the usual JNCC arrangements are to be put on hold pending the wide need to consult members and free your time to meet union officials as consultation time. We are attending all offices to meet as many colleagues in your workplaces. The Chair may well call for a special branch meeting. In any case you will be circulated dates shortly. Within the consultation meetings process it has been agreed that all staff can take appropriate paid time off from duty to consult with their Trade Unions. Also the Trade Union reps are dedicating their time to ensure we are fully accessible to all members in all locations. Look out for the dates to be posted this week if you have not seen them already. <br /><br />Dino Peros JNC rep NAPO.<br />20/ 9/ 13<br />Dinonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-58557282535883328912014-07-03T20:31:50.248+01:002014-07-03T20:31:50.248+01:0025 years' service/experience/sentence - goodne...25 years' service/experience/sentence - goodness knows how much spent on training - plaudits from high court judges and others about quality of work with high risk and highly complex cases - now CRC, no explanation beyond the "11/11" response. Having to endure being managed by young thrusting ambitious eager people with blinkers fixed and eyes on the £££s.<br />Would rather shove a barbed implement into my genitalia than go back to work next week. However, a direct debit of blood, piss and pain don't impress HSBC. Thanks, Chris. Now, given you've been creaming your pants about bidders, why don't you have the good grace to tell us who has bid for where? It won't affect their final sealed bids, but it might help staff decide whether to fuck off sharpish.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-14349667122171374112014-07-03T20:30:08.228+01:002014-07-03T20:30:08.228+01:00I would be very surprised, if the above informatio...I would be very surprised, if the above information is proved to be correct, that their is not some form of legal recourse as the names from a hat process runs a horse and cart through 'fairness and transparency' which is supposed to be present in such a process. However, I very much doubt that anyone will be able to get Legal Aid to challenge such a process due to the cuts Grayling has made.<br />His skittles have all been lined up then knocked down in one go. I'm absolutely furious about the whole process, to the extent where very heated 'discussions' have taken place with my SPO and ACE. They have took not a blind bit of notice and appear to have forgotten about my issues. These are people who just months ago I could really count upon to not only listen but to resolve my concerns....now, I find that I cannot trust them at all. Really rather sad.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-81279952183261537182014-07-03T20:06:54.675+01:002014-07-03T20:06:54.675+01:00I wasn't even given a score, so if everyone wa...I wasn't even given a score, so if everyone was picked out of a hat how did they score us or was that made up as well. If some trusts used the method of picking out of a hat then the whole ~Probation Service should undergo another fairer process if this split is to continue, which looks like it isn't. Also I couldn't understand why they asked us where we wanted to go and then shafted us, I know in Manchester we were told that most PO's will be NPS, but this is not what the shafting process showed. There must be some legal challenge in employment law where it indicates that they could not do this to us. Anyone with any knowledge of employment law?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-80727148173402119172014-07-03T19:37:26.542+01:002014-07-03T19:37:26.542+01:0018:49 is absolutely right random allocation was in...18:49 is absolutely right random allocation was in the allocation process but only in respect to Case Administrators. I was sifted this way using random number generation in excel against another manager colleague who between us had over 40 years service. The Trust were advised to use this process by the MoJ TR programme team! I can tell you who was in the room at the time and they would undoubtedly confirm this. 3 other SPO with similar lengths of Service were sifted at the same time in the same way. Chris Grayling may deny that this happened but shortly afterwards I wrote to him and informed him that this was happening! I still have a copy of that letter which will be with NAPO campaigns tomorrow. They already have details of this how I was allocated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-34457607476107007552014-07-03T18:51:23.051+01:002014-07-03T18:51:23.051+01:00Every comment that Grayling makes sounds sooo chil...Every comment that Grayling makes sounds sooo childish, I don't know why those asking him question about this omnishambles don't just dismiss him. How can he continue to get away with it and now names out of a hat fucking shyte. What next?, All I can say is that I have never felt so low as I do now working for the Probation Service and I really don't know what I am doing anymore battling with delius and oasys everyday along with all the LIES. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-49045487315310155452014-07-03T18:49:15.861+01:002014-07-03T18:49:15.861+01:00Chris Grayling cannot deny this to be true when pr...Chris Grayling cannot deny this to be true when provision for it was written into the assignment procedure issued by the MoJ. I know this to be true because I joked about it on this blog and gave the page and paragraph number. I dont have it here, as all my papers are at work, but if anyone needs it in order to slap said document in front of CG, I'll gladly look it out.<br />DebAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-52762799246101767542014-07-03T18:33:06.844+01:002014-07-03T18:33:06.844+01:00I'm only seven years in but I still think the ...I'm only seven years in but I still think the taxpayers have been short changed by training me to work with High Risk people, sex offenders, to write pre-sentence reports and appear at Oral Hearings etc, etc. All gone at the pick of a name from a hat. Meanwhile they are trying to recruit new people to do what I can already do. It's a nightmare that I can't wake up from.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-57774457576885886632014-07-03T18:28:27.504+01:002014-07-03T18:28:27.504+01:00Please, please if you are aware that you were allo...Please, please if you are aware that you were allocated by names being picked from a hat, let NAPO know by emailing campaigns@napo.org.uk. This is so close we really are teetering on the brink of defeat....ing this!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-59485936393296217252014-07-03T18:07:45.321+01:002014-07-03T18:07:45.321+01:00Its shocking to know that my 31 years in the servi...Its shocking to know that my 31 years in the service went down at a pick of a ball from a hat. This has got to be rectified.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com