November 14, 2008
PROCESS AND PROFESSIONALISM
An article worth reading in the Guardian today: It's about the management of risk and the dependence on process at the expense of spending time in face to face work. Extract here from the article that is likely to resonate within probation work - it was also a point - effectiveness of time spent in front of computer screens - made by a member at the recent Napo AGM to Phil Wheatley, the head of NOMS.
"Panorama next Monday has surveyed children's departments across Britain. It reaches the grim conclusion that many social workers spend 60% of their time in front of computer screens, time that should be spent with families. Like policemen who sit in cars, it is the surest way to fail a service.
In every walk of life, the computer screen has become a professional comfort blanket. It distances carers from the sensibility of clients. It demotes the value of informal contact with colleagues. Provided the screen has been filled and the boxes ticked, officialdom regards itself as in the clear. Risk is eliminated not by personal application but by process."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/nov/14/baby-p-haringey-laming-report
Posted by Hampshire at 09:23 AM | Comments (0)
November 11, 2008
PAY BALLOT RESULT
THE NATIONAL VOTE - FOR: 2,025; AGAINST:246
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight voted: FOR: 69; AGAINST: 10
Posted by Hampshire at 03:50 PM | Comments (0)
November 10, 2008
BUDGET CUTS
On the 7th November Napo's general secretart wrote: "Probation areas have been receiving letters from the outgoing Director of Probation setting out likely budget cuts for the next 3 years. Cuts in the existing budget of £20 million, £50 million and £50 million in consecutive years from the current £914 million are a recipe for complete disaster."
In response, with all Napo branches, we are urgently seeking information from our chief officer about the financial situation we face in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. This situation is extremely serious and the impact, if these cuts are made, will be considerable.
Views from Napo HQ indicate:
“Details are now emerging from some Areas of the reality of the three year financial forecast for the Probation Service. It appears devastating.”
“The cumulative cut over the next three year period could be as high as 20%-25%. Areas are talking about massive job losses.”
Posted by Hampshire at 06:19 PM | Comments (0)