tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post8928962857219335712..comments2024-03-28T20:12:43.003+00:00Comments on On Probation Blog: Fight or Flee?Jim Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-47505910680516027792016-02-24T09:50:04.729+00:002016-02-24T09:50:04.729+00:00Your right 2000 members left napo after transfer I...Your right 2000 members left napo after transfer I hear no way are they in the groups described . All at Christmas and just few trickle back to direct debit.majority membership pso from crcs now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-18227524034681032182016-02-23T16:05:24.962+00:002016-02-23T16:05:24.962+00:00From page 43 - bit of a porky here I think:-
But ...From page 43 - bit of a porky here I think:-<br /><br />But I think realistically, if you look beyond that active layer which is quite a thin layer of people really, key activists within branches may be only, you know, a few dozen people really. But wider membership I found are far more realistic about what our prospects were … and what the long term prospects are, the fact that we have to keep defending their terms and conditions. We haven’t had this huge haemorrhaging of membership that some were anticipating. We’ve had people leave but I think that is, it’s been in the dozens, not the hundreds. And you know, we need to analyse the data but it seems that most of those people who have left are because they are retiring or they are moving on because they don’t like what is happening. We haven’t had a sort of a backlash against the union in that sense. So there is a bit of a wait and see attitude amongst the membership as to whether we’re going to stem the tide and continue to have an influence within both the NPS and the CRCs. (National Officer)Jim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-27966936704174523052016-02-23T14:34:34.470+00:002016-02-23T14:34:34.470+00:00A newspaper report on some recent probation resear...A newspaper report on some recent probation research. On page 3 of the report it says: 'While the campaign was ultimately unsuccessful in its aim of preventing Transforming Rehabilitation from going ahead, the union did succeed in achieving previously unmatched mobilisation of the membership in support of strike action, lobbying and protests, all of which demonstrated the depth of probation workers’ opposition to the probation split and outsourcing.' I don't remember the 'unmatched mobilisation'.<br /><br />http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2016/feb/23/privatisation-probation-service-stressed-job-cutsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-91470608563106490562016-02-23T14:26:03.621+00:002016-02-23T14:26:03.621+00:00"What is a vocation?
A call… The word comes ..."What is a vocation?<br /><br />A call… The word comes from the Latin word ‘vocare’ which means ‘to call’. Vocation, then, is about a call or a calling in people’s lives – but whose call and in whose lives?<br /><br />A call from… We believe that throughout history, God has called people to play a particular role in his plan of salvation for the world. Many of the stories in the Old Testament are about such individuals – Abraham, Noah, Moses, Hannah, Samuel, Jeremiah and Ruth, to name but a few. In the very first few lines of the Bible, in the Book of Genesis, God calls creation into existence by his Word. Throughout the Old Testament, God is continually inviting the people of Israel to be his Chosen People, to be a light for other nations. When Jesus comes, he also calls people to follow him and to live the kind of life he does. So, when we talk about vocation, we are talking about the call of God." (from Diocese of Westminster website).<br /><br />So historically it could be argued that probation WAS a vocation, which became a job, and is now all but extinct:<br /><br />1870s: Frederick Rainer makes a five shilling donation to the Church of England Temperance Society to help break the cycle of offence after offence and sentence after sentence. The Society appoints a 'missionary' to Southwark court and the London Police Court Mission is born.<br /><br />1880s: The mission opens homes and shelters - but the Probation of First Offenders Act 1887 contains no element of offender supervision.<br /><br />1900s: 1907 & The Probation Service is formally established. Between 1910 and 1930 the prison population halves, probation has played a major part.<br /><br />1920s: The 1925 Criminal Justice Act establishes probation committees and the appointment of probation officers becomes a requirement of the courts.<br /><br />1940s: The 1948 Criminal Justice Act introduces prison after-care and provides for funding of Probation Homes and Hostels.<br /><br />1950s: 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 /><br />The CJAct'91 had a disastrous impact; suddenly the work of the probation service was something that politicians could and did tinker with in order to make a name for themselves. And here we are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-21782867885252499732016-02-23T09:10:04.409+00:002016-02-23T09:10:04.409+00:00Where to start?
Metrics only measure metrics
they ...Where to start?<br />Metrics only measure metrics<br />they get organisations chasing the numbers and missing the object of the exercise.<br />Hitting all our metrics did not stop Sonnex, Hanson and White or any of the other high profile SFO's. A metric never reduced anybodies offending and that kind of thinking takes us back to 2001. Back then when I would go to my SPO and say "This guy has lost his job his girlfriend and is murdrous and suicidal" I was not asked what I was doing or advised on dealing with the issue I was asked "If I had updated OASYS". We measured people messing up but never dealt with it. OR rather dealing with it was secondary to measuring it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-83905054342591164382016-02-23T09:04:21.941+00:002016-02-23T09:04:21.941+00:00The only people who have ever told me that I have ...The only people who have ever told me that I have a vocation are those who want me to do more for less. When I was a civil servant I had a "Vocation for public service" which meant that I was not going to be given pay rises. Now I have people telling me that this is a vocation. This is NOT a vocation, it is a JOB. A job I used to enjoy and a job I am very good at but a job none the less. If I was not here some other poor sap would be put in my place for less money by people who do not care about any "Professional ethics" or vocation. <br /><br />The other "Vocation" people who annoy me are those who hid behind their "Vocation" to avoid working to rule, to cross picket lines and to undermine efforts to beat this stupid mess we are in. They are now using their "Vocation" to try and get this mess to work. Newsflash people, its not going to.<br />Vocations are for Monks not for me. I cannot go into tesco on a friday and wave my NAPO membership asking for a reduction in my groceries because I have a vocation. They are playing you and you are co-operating.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-33564503415330262892016-02-23T07:59:25.281+00:002016-02-23T07:59:25.281+00:0020:21 show the notes20:21 show the notesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-30492811344802817012016-02-23T07:48:34.900+00:002016-02-23T07:48:34.900+00:00The fallout? I thought the reason for all these r...The fallout? I thought the reason for all these redundancies in CRC was because the said new model doesn't need as many staff to work efficiently. I would say that is just a smoke and mirrors statement. It might sound a little sweeter when telling someone your out of a job but CRC need people so don't worry too much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-5333267198139154972016-02-23T07:39:50.302+00:002016-02-23T07:39:50.302+00:0015:23. Can you give any examples when a work to ru...15:23. Can you give any examples when a work to rule strategy has ever been effective? It has never worked in probation. Join the real world.Netnippernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-29575171557430258502016-02-23T06:51:27.033+00:002016-02-23T06:51:27.033+00:00Rubbish. Working directly with people reduces risk...Rubbish. Working directly with people reduces risk.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-38141785488942365862016-02-23T05:55:54.640+00:002016-02-23T05:55:54.640+00:00I still think it's a vocation. We still have t...I still think it's a vocation. We still have the same values and work ethic. It's just there is greater focus on metrics which are designed to manage risk better Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-8687795431545854542016-02-23T02:47:35.620+00:002016-02-23T02:47:35.620+00:00Intersted to know which CRC or NPS area you work f...Intersted to know which CRC or NPS area you work for where frontline staff earn £80,000 or more a year. Any jobs going?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-42430845986061068692016-02-22T21:34:09.039+00:002016-02-22T21:34:09.039+00:00Not got to grips with this info yet but I am very ...Not got to grips with this info yet but I am very alarmed to hear from my pension service today that this is going to impact on the rules around getting your pension without loss if made redundant compulsorily from age 55. Feel this is another blow to those of us at the frontlineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-87111990038509531652016-02-22T21:02:30.814+00:002016-02-22T21:02:30.814+00:00Zero hour contracts. Forging tax returns and profi...Zero hour contracts. Forging tax returns and profits. £6 an hour. You fool 20.57. You should go work there if you hate the party so much :-/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-24114865310843580132016-02-22T21:00:56.010+00:002016-02-22T21:00:56.010+00:00this WAS a vocation...and look how well that worke...this WAS a vocation...and look how well that worked out...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-27595932764772960712016-02-22T20:57:45.963+00:002016-02-22T20:57:45.963+00:00Tesco's treat their staff better.Tesco's treat their staff better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-59084465852816762102016-02-22T20:56:00.241+00:002016-02-22T20:56:00.241+00:00So what is the point of a contract specifying hour...So what is the point of a contract specifying hours of work? Why doesn't the contract just say 'Work until you're finished or you're finished'?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-42030053848421733002016-02-22T20:48:12.033+00:002016-02-22T20:48:12.033+00:00This is a vocation. If you want to do your hours t...This is a vocation. If you want to do your hours then go work at tescos. Can't stand the heat in the kitchen then don't be a chef. We still til the job is done no matter what the cost isAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-74598277362219249732016-02-22T20:35:54.888+00:002016-02-22T20:35:54.888+00:00Here's a novel idea Jim.
Budget cuts and sta...Here's a novel idea Jim. <br /><br />Budget cuts and staff reductions on both sides of the divide. The best advice to those remaining is to work your contracted hours and when these are completed simply go home. If everyone valued their profession and followed this advice then it would send a huge message to the CRC and NPS and the whole house of cards would soon collapse. <br /><br />A very simple and completely legal campaign. <br /><br />How revolutionary to work according to your contract.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-61172083465941344462016-02-22T20:21:30.835+00:002016-02-22T20:21:30.835+00:00No briefing notes are needed as I don't think ...No briefing notes are needed as I don't think they should have been circulated. The blog was referred too. The point is when one door closes another one opens. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-49219019377508883622016-02-22T19:41:49.668+00:002016-02-22T19:41:49.668+00:00Did anyone see the info sent out about PQFs which ...Did anyone see the info sent out about PQFs which also had information about expected staff reductions as a result of E3? Think it was contained in 1.2 of the second attachment and probably not meant to be there....but it was and clearly cuts are coming to NPS...but hey, it is all about EFFICIENCY, EXCORIATION AND EXCRUCIATION, folks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-2033882499499117472016-02-22T19:31:36.415+00:002016-02-22T19:31:36.415+00:00Lets see the briefing notes.Lets see the briefing notes.Jim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-36023158288469343042016-02-22T19:13:31.185+00:002016-02-22T19:13:31.185+00:00which area?which area?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-18702473129481845722016-02-22T19:05:45.087+00:002016-02-22T19:05:45.087+00:00My manager circulated a managers briefing notes fr...My manager circulated a managers briefing notes from the CEO last week. It said He is leaving. Also there will be big cuts in NPS this year and CRCs are looking to pick up the fallout......! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-26260120995443391312016-02-22T18:53:41.014+00:002016-02-22T18:53:41.014+00:00Well said...Well said...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com