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.
Best frontline blogs this week
Here’s our list of ten frontline blogs we’ve particularly liked from the week of 28th October 2013 – from unqualified teachers to housing, disability policy and mental health.
The morning after
“The House of Commons debate turned out better than I expected, …with some really very good speeches from the opposition benches. By contrast those by Chris Grayling and the government were lacking conviction…” Jim Brown updates us on the political debate on 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.
Frontline Friday 11th October: Our favourite frontline blogs this week
Here’s our list of ten frontline blogs we’ve particularly liked from the week of 7th October 2013 – from education, welfare reform to mental health and social care.
Privatised prisons: it’s ‘easier to get drugs than soap’
“An unannounced inspection of HMP Oakwood has revealed grave concerns about the ability of private provider G4S’s ability to run a prison.” Scriptonite looks at the record of G4S in delivering public services.
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.
Decision time
“It’s extremely sad that things have ended up like this for us, but there doesn’t seem to be any alternative…” On the eve of the World Congress of Probation, Jim Brown explains why industrial action may be necessary to resist the Government’s ill-thought-out plans for the probation service.
The path to the precipice
“We are blithely rushing along a path towards a fundamental change in our welfare system that will have far-reaching social and fiscal consequences. There is a perfect storm of a poorly contracted Work Programme, political rhetoric, and short-term accounting practice.” Richard Johnson looks at the debate on the next round of welfare reform.
The poisonous politics of reducing unemployment
“The easier political answer to the unemployment issues is to pull the fiscal and legislative levers. …And job done. Only it isn’t.” Writing in advance of George Osborne’s speech to the Conservative Party conference, Puffles laments that politicians are avoiding answering the difficult questions about unemployment.
Frontline Friday 20th September 2013: Our favourite frontline blogs this week
Here’s our list of ten frontline blogs we’ve particularly liked from the week of 16th September 2013 – from the question of what are the Lib Dems for, to education and welfare reform, and the outsourcing of probation services.
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.