There has been plenty of interest in meetings about health and safety, professional judgement, TUPe, pensions, and disability equality. Additionally, there have been meetings for PSOs, Managers, and Women in Napo.

ABPO and LAGIP have also held meetings for members.

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Conference bid a fond farewell to Vicky Boroughs who has worked so hard and effectively as Vice Chair for the past 3 years. And it welcomed Tim Wilson as Vicky's replacement.

There was another forthright speech by Brian Caton, General Secretary of the POA, who pledged the POA's solidarity with Napo in our campaign against criminal justice privatisation. He made some sparky remarks about the performance and attitude of the Home Secretary!

This was a full and frank discussion which covered partnership issues, in particular restructuring, recruitment, diversity, and equal opportunities. Jane was left in no doubt of the strength of members' feelings on the treatment of staff of all grades in the context of the constant threat of change and reorganisation.

This was a useful session and the involvement of senior Cafcass Managers was appreciated. They can be in no doubt that Napo members expect a positive response to the points they have raised.

Helen Edwards
Roger Hill
Martin Wargent

Helen Edwards confirms that there will be a Bill on Probation and NOMS and contestability will be a key feature of that. She also stated that Civil Servants cannot speak to the media, (for example in defence of probation) if they have not been given permission by the Home Secretary.

Roger Hill stated that he will not defend a service that is not competent, he will however defend a competent Probation Service. He gave example of speaking to the media, about managing risks and the recall of parolees and is quite clear that the media and general public have no idea about the complexity involved in deciding whether or not to recall an individual who has re-offended/breach conditions of his/her parole licence. He told members that more needed to be done to ensure that public understands the work of the Probation Service.

Martin Wargent made his final speech at Napo's AGM. He gave his personal view on Public Value Partnership prospectus. He argued that the Probation Service is being set up to fail and in concluding
quoted Churchill's famous speech on not giving into the enemy and no retreat.

Also passed, following debate and rejection of an amendment, was motion 22 on workload protection. The slow progress of the roll out and implementation of the workload measurement tool has caused increasing frustration for many members. The resolution, as agreed, provides that in the absence of a significant increase in workload protection by 1st December Napo will move to ballot for industrial action.

He highlighted the neglect of staff welfare in Cafcass and the NPS in contrast to the fixation with targets, economies, and privatisation. I rather enjoyed his virtual recreation of a telephone call with a supervisee (you had to be there) as he demonstrated the confusion caused by new terms such as 'offender management'.

I hope to be able to post Mike's speech here in due course.

Mike was followed by Frances O'Grady, Deputy General Secretary of the TUC, and John McDonnell MP. Both gave positive and supportive speeches. It was particularly good to hear Frances' commitment of support from the TUC for Napo's campaigning activities.

The Future of Probation Training was addressed by Helen Smith, NPD, Mike Ashe, NOMS, Mike Caldwell, PBA, Ian Manborde, ULR Project Manager, and Cordell Pillay, Napo. The issues covered included the development of a new qualification framework for the Probation Service, access and equal opportunities, and the role of Union Learning Reps as part of the partnership between the employers and unions.

John McDonnell MP and Harry Fletcher, Napo, addressed a meeting on the campaign to save the Probation Service. Members were united in the need to campaign hard to fight legislation which would privatise probation work and ensure the campaign is delivered locally as well as nationally.

On the thorny issue of support to oppose any proposed legislation to privatise the NPS Neil Gerrard, Labour, and Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat, were unequivocal in their support of Napo's campaign. Edward Garnier, Conservative, was less clear but supportive of many of the concerns expressed by members.

The Cafcass AGM was addressed by Sian Griffiths and me covering various negotiating and partnership issues. The Section has agreed to submit an emergency motion to the full AGM relating to breaking and disturbing news about a possible restructuring of Cafcass. More news on this will follow.

Members are gathering in a wet and windy Eastbourne for this year's AGM. The Cafcass Section AGM is just starting as is the Probation session with guests from the 3 main political parties.

We will endeavour to keep you up to date with all that is happening so keep an eye on this site.