In advance of the traditional introductory phone call from the newly appointed Justice Secretary Michael Gove and our first meeting with him, all of the probation unions have been reflecting on the outcome of the general election result and how we can develop a new agenda for engagement.
My sources tell me that Mr Gove, whilst obviously sharing the political direction of travel of his predecessor, very much has his own mind and a considerably better track record of listening to rational and well-constructed argument. We will see, but I hope I am not hoping in vain when I say that anything has to be an improvement on the echo chamber that we seem to have been speaking into for so many of the last five years.
As everyone will realise, a new political appointment does not mean that the problems of the past simply fade away and the new Justice team of Michael Gove, Dominic Raab and (retained in his post) Andrew Selous sure do have a heap of them still to deal with.
In terms of the Rehabilitation agenda, and with respect to all those who have suffered as a consequence of such things, the situation in Probation is not unlike that which we have seen in the aftermath of ill-considered political intervention in foreign climes. The analogy simply being that it is one thing having a focus on the objective of regime change and quite another dealing with the ensuing consequences.
The palpable lack of a ‘plan B’ means that the NPS is continuing to face challenges that it was never designed for, and the CRC’s are claiming that the difficulties they are now encountering are down to not being shown the actual goods that they were being asked to pay for by the vendor.
I never welcome a negative report from the HM Probation Inspectorate:
Nevertheless I have to say it has come at a good time for all those who give a damn about what has been constructed from the TR omnishambles. All of the key issues around Risk of Serious Recidivism (RSR) and the Case Allocation System (CAS) tools come in for particular criticism. ICT once again, is also highlighted as a continuing and very major concern and, as we have become accustomed to, even the somewhat neutral description of the problems cannot mask the fact that they are serious.
It’s usual for this Blog to be brought to the attention of senior leaders within the MoJ so before the anticipated meeting with Mr Gove takes place let me make it clear that anyone expecting a predictable ‘we told you so’ diatribe, should know that they can expect to see our representations being predicated around the question of: ‘so how can we do something to repair the collateral damage?’
Outsourcing of CRC Functions
In addition to the ongoing issue of whether Sodexo intend to pay up early severance terms for those they deem to be dispensable and on which we expect definitive news early next month, the unions have posited the following questions to NOMS in relation to the proposals by CRCs to outsource functions to other providers in a recent letter to Ian Poree as follows:
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What requirements must CRCs follow in order to outsource functions to other providers?
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Is the permission of the Secretary of State required in order for a CRC to outsource functions to other providers?
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Under what statutory provisions are the 6 Sodexo-owned CRCs intending to outsource corporate services functions to a Sodexo operational hub outside of the probation environment?
- Has the MOJ sanctioned the outsourcing of corporate services functions by the 6 Sodexo-owned CRCs, and if so, under what authority and when?
There is a pressing need for some answers and a reply would be much appreciated.
THE FCS AND NAPO AGENDA
As mentioned earlier, a new Under Secretary in the form of Dominic Raab has taken the place of the deposed Simon Hughes who was one of a number of high profile casualties of the general election. Now that Simon has gone I am among many who believe that while he forged a respected career as a constituency MP his tenure as a Justice Minister will not exactly be recorded with acclaim in the annals of political history. Here was someone who, had he possessed the requisite levels of moral fibre, could have persuaded the LibDems to bring a halt or even a sensible delay in the implementation of the TR reforms. I was involved in the Bermondsey By-election during the 1980’s and remember the despicably homophobic campaign that his party waged to get him his seat in the first place. I hope members might excuse me for saying that a just dessert can take a long while to appear on the table.
Anyway back to the matter in hand, because Raab’s appointment may (as we hope it will be in the case of Gove) open up a new opportunity for serious dialogue about the future of the family court service and services for children and families beyond it. Again, we look forward to the opportunity of meeting with him
Since her election as FCS Vice-Chair, Jay Barlow has been keeping the Officers, Officials and NEC well up to speed with events in Cafcass. This has directly contributed to the positive working relationship that is being developed between Napo and senior Cafcass leaders. This is great news, as is the increasing amount of coverage of FCS issues in our communications to members such as this week’s Napo FCS Campaign Bulletin:
https://www.napo.org.uk/family-courts-campaign-special
It would be even more encouraging if we had more Napo members in the FCS to reflect the efforts we are making and, just as importantly to show demonstrable support for what Jay is doing alongside your hard working FCS workplace reps.
Even if you are not a Napo member you can sign up to the Family Court Conference which takes place in Birmingham on June 18th (details in the link above).
Help us to help you more effectively at the workplace and away from it. Join Napo or please call me at Chivalry Road to discuss the possibility in person. If I am not there leave a message and I will definitely get back to you
Pay 2014 - Unison threaten action
Following the rejection by Napo and Unison members of the derisory 2014 Pay offer, Unison has announced that they have received authority to commence industrial action. Here is the announcement they have made this afternoon
Dear Colleagues,
As you know, UNISON members in the National Probation Service and Community Rehabilitation Companies have voted for industrial action over the 0% pay offer for 2014.
73% voted yes to take part in a strike and 88% voted yes to action short of strike action.
UNISON's National Probation Committee met on Thursday 21 May to consider the outcome of the ballot and have agreed a programme of industrial action which has subsequently been endorsed by UNISON's industrial action committee.
UNISON hopes that the ballot result will encourage the employers to re-open pay talks to improve the offer, however if they do not, the industrial action will start with a 24 hour strike on Thursday 11 June and be followed by a period of action short of strike action.
Further information on the programme of industrial action will be issued next week.
Napo’s position will be reviewed by your Probation Negotiating Committee on the 19th June but I have advised Ben Priestley that we will of course want to jointly seek further talks with NOMS to try and find a way through. If Unison takes action we will obviously be issuing advice to our members.
That Bank Holiday
Lots more to talk about next week: including a report about the GFTU conference that Yvonne Pattison and I have just attended, and why the outcomes are important to all Napo members. Meanwhile, do make the most of the Bank Holiday. When you come across those who berate the unions for holding the country to ransom etc. etc. just let them know that if it was not for the efforts of those who went before us such things as the Bank Holidays they also enjoy would not exist.
- ilawrence@napo.org.uk's blog
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