Competition killed the cat
“Serco is certainly guilty of a lack of imagination. It has grown to where it is on the back of years of outsourcing, with successive governments of every colour looking to use contracting in order to cut the perceived waste in public sector delivery.” Richard Johnson looks at the experience of Serco in the outsourcing of public services.
Act in haste: repent at leisure
“It strikes me that in order to get out of this omnishambles that Transforming Rehabilitation is creating, there really does need to be a Plan B. We all know what it is.” Jim Brown looks at the way out of the omnishambles that is the outsourcing of probation.
Danger of death
“It’s not that often that probation hits the front pages, and when it does it’s usually… get[ting] the blame for not having prevented a horrible murder.” In light of a recent Guardian headline, Jim Brown updates us on the omnishambles that is the outsourcing of probation.
What about clients?
“There is absolutely no getting away from the fact that life for most of our clients has become considerably more difficult during this period of austerity. They are suffering the triple whammy of benefit cuts, rising prices for food and utilities and a stagnating employment market.” Jim Brown looks at the impact of austerity on ex-offenders.
Best frontline blogs this week
Here’s our list of ten frontline blogs we’ve particularly liked from the week of 21st October 2013 – from housing policy to education and welfare reform, the Immigration Bill and finally Russell Brand on politics.
Doing the Ministry’s bidding
“The Ministry of Justice is absolutely desperate to give its TR omnishambles planned for probation some semblance of credibility by making sure that not all the ‘prime’ contracts are awarded to the questionable big boys…” Jim Brown looks at how charities and mutuals are trying to pick up probation contracts.
NPS vs CRC - Some thoughts from the frontline
“I have been told that my role sits between both CRC and NPS so I will be invited to put in an expression of interest… If [rejected], they will have to go to the sifting process.” The Probation Officer offers some thoughts on the new National Probation Service and Community Rehabilitation Companies.
Omnishambles on track!
“As Napo delegates head off to the Welsh seaside resort of Llandudno for their AGM, there’s news that Chris Grayling’s TR omnishambles is progressing well on all fronts.” Jim Brown updates us on the progress of the ‘omnishambles’ outsourcing of the probation service.
Omnishambles update 22
“…the Napo Lobby at Parliament yesterday went well with over 270 members packed into two committee rooms along with 40 MP’s and Peers. It would seem there’s still some scope for the parliamentary process to cause trouble for the minister Chris Grayling in the coming weeks.” Jim Brown provides an update on the outsourcing of probation.
Collateral damage
“We know without any shadow of a doubt that there is absolutely no evidence or professional argument that can be advanced to support this Transforming Rehabilitation omnishambles that is being imposed upon us.” Jim Brown looks at what the lessons of the Work Programme could mean for the outsourcing of probation.
Dear Mr Grayling
“I’m no politician or academic, I’m just a Probation Officer, but to me it seems as if Probation are the experts in managing ‘offenders’ but we are the only people excluded from bidding for our work.” As the outsourcing of probation marches on, the Probation Officer writes an open letter to Chris Grayling.
Grayling in a corner
“It’s becoming ever more clear …that there simply aren’t going to be enough bidders for the probation contracts being advertised this week, and as a result peace is breaking out between the minister and naughty Serco and G4S.” Jim Brown wonders how the MOJ will outsource probation service without the involvement of the ‘big boys’.
Probation in crisis!
“It’s becoming ever more clear that thanks to the unremitting efforts of ministers Chris Grayling and Jeremy Wright in driving forward the Transforming Rehabilitation omnishambles, normal probation services are breaking down.” Jim Brown considers the impact of the Coalition’s plan for outsourcing probation on existing services.
Capita, Serco, G4S, government and the rise and rise of electronic tagging
“It seems that Capita has positioned itself (with three other companies) to take over the dire electronic tagging system run by Serco and G4S for the Ministry of Justice. By “dire,” I mean “very likely fraudulent”…” Kate Belgrave is concerned about Capita’s expansion into the electronic tagging market.
Who is Chris Grayling?
“You can tell it’s the party political season because suddenly all hyper-ambitious politicians find lots of reasons to grab the media limelight. So it is that Chris Grayling seems to be relentlessly popping up saying all sorts of attention-grabbing crap…” Jim Brown considers who is the real Chris Grayling.
How to save Probation…
“A few people have tweeted me and asked what they can be doing to help save Probation, so I thought I would just write a brief post with some simple steps that we can all do.” The Probation Officer outlines seven ways to save probation.
Omnishambles Update 19
“Meanwhile the Government’s plans to try and sweeten the [Transforming Rehabilitation] pill by encouraging the formation of cuddly-sounding ‘mutuals’ appears to have suffered a few setbacks…” Jim Brown provides a further update on the ongoing omnishambles of probation reform.
The dangers of weak policy foundations
“Today we witnessed a number of important developments, if you happen to be a policy geek. These developments have a substantially different character, and provide students of the policy process with much to chew on.” Alex Marsh questions the weak foundations of a variety of Coalition policies from the Lobbying Bill to Universal Credit.
Resistance is futile!
“In less than 13 years we’ve been nationalised, bureaucratised, regionalised, marginalised, de-nationalised, localised, and shortly to be split in two, abolished, part-privatised and nationalised for the second time. It’s crazy…!” With the outsourcing of probation motoring on, Jim Brown reminds us that we’ve been here before.
The silence is broken
“Probation is a vitally important public service with a proud history, exemplary performance and unparalleled integrity. Probation must have a voice and we are entitled to look to the leadership to provide it.” Jim Brown responds to a defence of probation’s leadership.