Who knew what and when?

The first week of the new order did not get off to a particularly auspicious start. Firstly the expected (but not surprisingly delayed) resignation of Paul McDowell former HM Inspector Probation, which followed the Sodexo conflict of interest story. There have been many reports and intense speculation about the circumstances of who knew about what and when in terms of his original appointment and the fact that his wife was a potential beneficiary of the TR outsourcing, and I somehow don’t think we have seen the last of this. Odd how it is a resigning issue now, but not before the CRC Contracts were actually awarded to Sodexo, but then should we really be surprised at that?

Back at the coalface, we received a number of reports from apoplectic members in some CRCs that some staff, whose duties include transporting clients to UPW assignments, had to be stood down. This was apparently because of the new requirement that a commercial licence is needed by the CRC to undertake this task on account of them no longer being in public ownership.

The obvious question we were asked was: why did the CRC bidders not know about this? Hang on a minute though, because since then, some of the owners have told me that actually they had tried to raise this issue with MOJ central without success some weeks ago in the lead up to the contract award. Anyway, according to Colin Allars the issue seems close to resolution now, but we all hope that we don’t see a situation where one half blames the other for a communication problem that leads to something altogether more serious.

CRC engagement strategy

Earlier this week we issued BR 11/2015 explaining some revisions to the way in which we intend to offer support to members across the CRCs and NPS (there will be no changes for the arrangements for our FCS members). Our aim is to deploy our resources as effectively as we can and utilise the considerable skills of our National Officials in helping Branches to develop new representatives, recruit members and engage with the CRC management teams and the new owners. The process will be supported by your National Officers who have offered to take the lead on specific NPS issues as they arise. The intention is that a more co-ordinated team approach can be applied to the practical and vital task of supporting members. As always, we do ask that individual members seek to contact their Branch representative in the first instance when seeking help.

The arrangements will be regularly reviewed in light of developments as we seek to firmly establish ourselves across both strands of the probation service and build our membership so as to deter any silly attempts at disengagement by any of the new CRC owners.

Friends in both houses

A really useful meeting of the Justice Unions Parliamentary Group took place last week where our stalwart colleagues John McDonnell and Lord David Ramsbotham pledged to help us maintain pressure on the Coalition Government over their flawed approach to the issues that have so seriously impacted on our members lives. This was followed up this week with a meeting between Shadow Justice Minister Jenny Chapman and our sister unions who form the TUC ‘Speak up for Justice’ Campaign.

Jenny was left in no doubt that if Labour want our members votes in this election then they will need to be clear about their future agenda, and the steps they will take to try and unravel the mess that they will be inheriting across many strands of the justice system.

Pay is back in the spotlight

The Napo NEC meets next week to consider the usual wide range of issues before us, and they will be receiving an update on the situation regarding the 2004 Pay Claim. UNISON have now signalled the result of their recent consultation exercise in which over 90% of their members who responded to an indicative ballot declared a willingness to take part in industrial action. Ben Priestley has formally written to me seeking our support for a joint campaign and as you would expect I have undertaken to share his letter with the NEC.

Obviously we would all rather arrive at a negotiated settlement, and last night we had a full and frank discussion with Michael Spurr. The Chief Executive has agreed to present our serious concerns over the unsatisfactory pay offer and the fact that no attempt at any sort of negotiation took place until December, back to the Secretary of State.

More news once it is available.

Cafcass Chief backs independent research

Some good news for FCS members and anyone involved in care proceedings comes with the publication of a study by Northumbria University that the intervention of Family Court Advisers has a positive impact on care cases.

Research from Northumbria University following fieldwork in Liverpool and pilot studies in the West Midlands shows that Cases averaged 23.5 weeks when family court advisers were involved before the case went to court, as opposed to 26.1 weeks when families did not have access to an adviser pre-proceedings.

The report has received an endorsement from Cafcass Chief Executive Anthony Douglas who says that this service should be brought into the mainstream. I will be seeking a meeting with Anthony to see what this might mean for our members.

http://www.communitycare.co.uk/2015/02/04/care-cases-shorter-family-cour...