Having a Laugh

When I started out as a probation officer you sort of just learnt on the job. All new recruits were issued with a copy of 'The Probation Officers Handbook' by a chap called Jarvis and I well remember my placement supervisor telling that he looked at his copy daily. I never did find out if he was being ironic or not, but my one and only glance at Jarvis confirmed that it was well out of date and I consigned my copy to the history section of my bookcase.

I soon found out that more useful information could be gleaned from the 'Practice Handbook' handily provided in ring binder form so you never knew if you had the up-to-date version or not. It really didn't seem to matter though as we just got on with the job in hand. But then in the new age of managerialism things began to change. I think the first bad omen was a document entitled Statement of National Objectives and Priorities. Things went down hill from then on, until reaching the absolute pits as enshrined in 'National Standards'.

If memory serves me correctly this was quite a hefty ring-bound tome stretching to several hundred pages of closely typed instructions for just about any situation. Colleagues roughly divided into two groups at the point the damned thing was introduced; those that consigned it quietly unopened to the top or rear of their filing cabinet and those that avidly consumed its content on a daily basis. I've even seen some, newer colleagues it has to be said, taking the damned thing in with them to interview clients. I even once saw a copy under someones arm on a prison visit for goodness sake. Without doubt many, including managers, found the document a safe haven, a reliable friend and a comfort when all around appeared to be chaos. No matter what the problem was, for some colleagues the oft-heard refrain became 'lets see what does national standards say?'

Well, a lot of people are going to be very uncomfortable indeed when they catch up with the latest version of 'National Standards' effective from 5th April and to be found here on the Ministry of Justice website. When I first had a glance I assumed it was a spoof issued on 1st April, but no it is completely genuine and runs to a whole three pages. As to content, whoever wrote it must have been under the influence of some kind of mind-altering substance. They were having a laugh, surely? 

Lets quote an example, say in relation to Unpaid Work. According to the new National Standards "The offender is prepared for the unpaid work requirement" it goes on to say "The offender undertakes the unpaid work requirement"  Simples!

Now you might think I've been selective in quoting, but take a look yourself and pretty much each section says the same - you could write it yourself it's that easy - under supervision the document states "The offender is prepared for the supervision requirement" and then says "The offender undertakes the supervision requirement" 

It all serves to illustrate just what a cultural change is going on in government at the behest of the private sector. The big boys made it plain they were not interested in bidding for work if they were expected to abide by all the micro-management nonsense contained in National Standards, so government obliged and tore it up. There will be little problem complying with the new version. Whilst old-style officers will sigh with relief and say 'I told you so', newer colleagues are going to have to learn how to use a bit more judgement and discretion in the way they manage their cases from now on.