tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post7972827651181820385..comments2024-03-28T14:37:09.958+00:00Comments on On Probation Blog: Probation ReflectionsJim Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-49605569226575723352021-10-12T08:10:41.315+01:002021-10-12T08:10:41.315+01:00UK media now seem to be starting to print stories ...UK media now seem to be starting to print stories about the reality of brexit, of covid, of the energy crisis, of the Tory shitshow in general... but way too late for many whose lives & livelihoods have been destroyed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-7529024563713388662021-10-11T11:26:50.838+01:002021-10-11T11:26:50.838+01:00Nobody wants to read all that.
“ The joint statem...Nobody wants to read all that.<br /><br />“ The joint statement by PA, PCA, Napo and Unison says”<br /><br />Exactly the point and why the Probation Institute was flawed from the start. While the PI remains a vessel for the PCA Probation Chiefs Association, I’m out !<br /><br />I’m not a PI basher, I have no care for it either way. Didn’t challenge TR, too many Probation Chiefs Officers involved, and it’s for practitioners across the rehabilitation environment progress not just probation officers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-56883525857700071912021-10-11T09:35:37.136+01:002021-10-11T09:35:37.136+01:00There are a lot of able contributers here Getafix ...There are a lot of able contributers here Getafix takes a gentle line. I respect that although I prefer the passionate exchanges . Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-58376935646715752252021-10-11T07:57:55.879+01:002021-10-11T07:57:55.879+01:00"The Institute will provide professional lead..."The Institute will provide professional leadership and a framework for unifying the probation workforce as a whole..."<br /><br />And seven years later? <br /><br />Seems the PI is struggling to manage its own affairs:<br /><br />PROBATION INSTITUTE LTD - Company number 08873806<br />Private company limited by guarantee without share capital - Incorporated on 3 February 2014<br /><br />27 Oct 2020 - First Gazette: notice for compulsory strike-off<br />3 Nov 2020 - compulsory strike-off discontinued<br /><br />25 May 2021 - First Gazette: notice of compulsory strike-off<br />17 June 2021 - compulsory strike-off discontinued<br /><br />Confirmation statement overdue - Next statement date 3 February 2021, due by 17 March 2021<br /><br />https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/08873806<br /><br />Anyone know what the £45,000 grant to John Moores Uni in 2020 was for?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-82606291470319519802021-10-10T23:08:29.405+01:002021-10-10T23:08:29.405+01:0017:47 I have never made any secret of my involveme...17:47 I have never made any secret of my involvement with the PI. I've been involved in a project, written stuff and attended meetings. Rather than making assumptions about the motivation of people who may wish to continue to have an involvement with probation through the PI it is probably better to look at what the PI is and what it does. You say 'If the PI is to work, hand it to the practitioners.'. Anyone with an interest in probation can join and get involved in the PI. Anyone can apply to be a Fellow of the Probation Institute if they want to. I would urge people to join and get involved. <br /><br />15:09 That is what Professor Paul Senior wanted. He had a choice whether to involve himself in the PI or not and went for it.<br /><br />As we know he was a former PO and cared about probation. He knew exactly what he was doing and why. I heard him mention the creation of an institute in the late 1990s.<br /><br />Readers of this Blog may recall a post on 28/05/18. Paul was quoted regarding his recollection of how the PI came into existence<br /><br />'The PI came into existence rather hurriedly, supported by a steering group of professional associations and unions, at an inauspicious time for it to be an easy ride. From the outset it sought to shape its identity and its independence through its members, its representative groups and committees and ultimately through its national Board. Though arguments have remained strong for such a body (nothing had been put in place since I had attempted to do so in 1997) it had to fight critiques from across the spectrum from ministers, unions and disgruntled and disillusioned probation staff. At a time of job insecurity and cutbacks it did not secure sufficient membership to grow the organisation quickly but recognition that it filled a gap ensured the PI was invited to the table on many professional discussions. I joined the Board in March 2015 and was made Chair in September of that year.' PS in PQ 2018<br /><br />and previous to this in a blog post from 2013 where he is quoted :-<br /><br />'Many people have been surprised at the announcement yesterday by the MoJ of a Probation Institute, I'm certainly deeply suspicious of its timing, coming as it does when automatic assignment and Expression of Interest letters are arriving in the Christmas mail. Yes it's been talked about for some time and undoubtedly falls into the category of being a jolly good idea, but, as one reader put it :-<br /><br />"I suspect the Probation Institute is being instituted merely as an attempt to legitimise the omnishambles." <br /><br />Whilst Professor Paul Senior does not agree, he concedes that the MoJ timing is mischievous:-<br /><br />"No that's not correct. It has been under discussion for some while amongst many groups with interests in this work. it is still in early stages of thinking and not driven by MoJ. It offers a small light in an otherwise dark future.<br /> <br />The timing is political spin to create just such a confused response. <br /><br />Its a long overdue development which might, just might offer future protection to professional standards, train, education and therefore of benefit to staff. If it was MoJ led I would not be seeing it in this way." PS<br /><br />The joint statement by PA, PCA, Napo and Unison says:-<br /><br />"The Institute will provide professional leadership and a framework for unifying the probation workforce as a whole. A key aim is to raise the status of probation and the Institute will contribute to the setting of practice standards and support the professional development of its members, including through a voluntary professional register. <br /><br />It will be an independent, not-for profit organisation, with wide membership open to all staff who work in probation, commissioners, employers and partner organisations of probation." ' <br /><br />Those were the hopes 'a small light' and that is why I originally joined. It is my belief that probation still needs an institute for the reasons set out in the joint statement.David Rahonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-17401368577162547412021-10-10T20:43:52.815+01:002021-10-10T20:43:52.815+01:00Hmmm, so from what I read on this blog space there...Hmmm, so from what I read on this blog space there's a contributor with the moniker 'Getafix who makes significant & thoughtful observations, is not (as far as I know) a probation practitioner & would likely qualify as one of Prof Senior's "all those interested in probation whatever their backgrounds".<br /><br />So PI/David Raho/whoever, involve this person in setting the standards & developing the profession from their perspective.<br /><br />Similarly there are many invaluable contributions on this blog from innumerable anonymous posters which, unless recognised or acknowledged by the PI, simply disappear into oblivion (although I'd like to think the British Library continues to archive this blog so we, the contributors who do not pocket the govt shilling, can say "TOLD YOU SO!" year after year after year).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-37533609690669489942021-10-10T20:32:20.975+01:002021-10-10T20:32:20.975+01:00Is the message being received yet?
Probably not.
...Is the message being received yet?<br /><br />Probably not.<br /><br />Does the PI care?<br /><br />Probably not.<br /><br />So come on, David Raho - honour your hero, your mentor, your greatest influence - make it happen in his absence, get those PI fellows to relinquish the power & hand it to "those interested in probation whatever their backgrounds".<br /><br />But there's the rub - relinquishing power is not easy, not comfortable, and in most cases not agreeable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-74945251575629417542021-10-10T20:21:01.002+01:002021-10-10T20:21:01.002+01:00I think Mr raho believes he is well intentioned b...I think Mr raho believes he is well intentioned but to my reliable information he misplaced union function suggesting any credibility to the worst people who supported and decimated experienced exceptional probation officers and on one remarkable attack from the likes of Mary Anne mc farlane. It is a recorded and reported fact that she conspired with senior management to dismiss in service by a compulsory redundancy just one singled out 30 plus years career member of staff . He happened to be the senior trade union Napo official with office in both national titles and local leader of extensive years. I understand the news reported the likes of this vindictive and stupid woman said to the employment tribunal that she would have told the unions to fuck off. The tribunal ruled comfortably against the probation service and the victimisation claim for Mr D. Rogan of Napo succeeded. There is no credibility for people like that in the pi no way representing anyone's interest in professional probation rebuilding. Raho should think harder on how he conducts his links across the field. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-39046475585471971502021-10-10T17:47:31.340+01:002021-10-10T17:47:31.340+01:00No surprise there David Rayo. Saw your name amongs...No surprise there David Rayo. Saw your name amongst the Probation Institute Board directors and Fellows. Too many Probation Chief Officers involved. They assisted probations demise. They are leading the problem in the present. I doubt they will positively influence the future.<br /><br />If the PI is to work, hand it to the practitioners. <br /><br />Geoff Dobson OBE<br />Former Chief Probation Officer<br /><br />Nick Hall<br />Regional Chief Executive (North) Cumbria & Lancashire, Northumbria and South Yorkshire Community Rehabilitation Companies<br /><br />Gillian Hirst<br />Probation practitioner, senior manager and former Deputy Chief Executive<br /><br />Mary Anne McFarlane<br />Board director. Criminal Justice consultant, voluntary worker & former Chief Officer of Probation<br /><br />Roz Morrison<br />Board Director and former Assistant Chief Probation Officer <br /><br />Karen Page<br />Director Karen Page Associates Ltd and former Chief Probation Officer<br /><br />Nick Smart<br />Probation Institute Fellow Former Chief Executive for the London Community Rehabilitation Company<br /><br />Roger Statham<br />Consultant and writer on probation & former Chief Officer Teesside Probation<br /><br />David Walton<br />Board director. Former Chief Officer and pioneer of Integrated Offender Management<br /><br />https://www.probation-institute.org/fellows<br /><br />https://www.probation-institute.org/who-we-areAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-55385875325003359842021-10-10T17:09:44.638+01:002021-10-10T17:09:44.638+01:00"He once told me that shaping the Probation I..."He once told me that shaping the Probation Institute into a place where all those interested in probation whatever their backgrounds could come together to set the standards and develop the profession then that would be a very worthwhile retirement project... No doubt there are some who are determined not to allow that to happen."<br /><br />I agree, and would suggest most of those refusniks can be found *inside* the PI; those chameleon-like shapeshifters who have never rocked any boats, who have enjoyed personal gain as a consequence of TR (unlike most of the true frontline professionals), & who have never had, nor ever will have, the qualities, courage or gravitas of Prof Senior.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-84208247249249598102021-10-10T12:18:32.568+01:002021-10-10T12:18:32.568+01:00Such was the calibre of Prof Paul Senior. The only...Such was the calibre of Prof Paul Senior. The only academic to really speak against TR. He dedicated an entire journal to the matter. One of probations biggest champions.<br /><br />“Reading through these contributions and also adding the passion and sheer exasperation which emerges from the Letters to Grayling it is tempting, if not impossible, not to conclude that the TR changes are simply wrong-headed and do not appreciate the complex web of reciprocity that probation functions within. It is often stated in debates that probation is little understood and there is little doubt in a sound-bite world probation is not a sound-bite organisation. But what these papers suggest is that this is as it should be. Probation deals with complex, difficult and intangible problems in a quietly authoritative, caring and committed way. Moreover even in the language of government it works. Probation on the Justice Ministry's own figures reduces re-offending and moreover offers service users real opportunities to reintegrate into society. Rather than throw this away in the rush to appeal to an ideological dogma hardly demonstrably successful in any other field of welfare reform surely now is the time to stop and think again. These contributions suggest that is self-evidently the case. We invite the government and the Ministers to take note.”<br /><br />Paul Senior<br /><br />https://mmuperu.co.uk/bjcj/volumes/bjcj-volume-11-issue-2-3/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-79986673254945512862021-10-10T11:38:23.562+01:002021-10-10T11:38:23.562+01:00Thank you for posting this Jim. Professor Paul Se...Thank you for posting this Jim. Professor Paul Senior was a big influence on me over many years. I feel privileged to have have both known him professionally, shared in a joint project with him at the Probation Institute and knew him well enough in the last few years of his life to call him a personal friend. He was a lifer probation officer at heart and was deeply interested in all things probation including technology. He was such a great loss to probation. He once told me that shaping the Probation Institute into a place where all those interested in probation whatever their backgrounds could come together to set the standards and develop the profession then that would be a very worthwhile retirement project. I must admit at the time I thought it would be a fitting legacy. I still think that it could be. No doubt there are some who are determined not to allow that to happen. David Rahonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-17628305280339843792021-10-10T10:12:54.601+01:002021-10-10T10:12:54.601+01:00Seen on Twitter:-
"Treat the tick box nonsen...Seen on Twitter:-<br /><br />"Treat the tick box nonsense with the contempt they deserve, just record the tick and crack on doing a brilliant job with your clients!"Jim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-52759329963016828482021-10-10T10:11:56.355+01:002021-10-10T10:11:56.355+01:00Seen on Twitter:-
"Just short of 20 years in...Seen on Twitter:-<br /><br />"Just short of 20 years in & I see myself as a probation lifer-it’s in me. My frustration is the focus on all that isn’t Probation at its core, pedalled nonsense from ‘business, strategy and change’ who seem incredibly influential but without the core understanding of the SERVICE." Jim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.com