Employees and unions have criticised cost-cutting proposals being considered by Working Links in Wales
Massive cuts to the probation service could see offenders being dealt with via Skype – and parts of the service run from Middlesbrough.
One worker dubbed the plans of private firm Working Links “dangerous” after it was revealed they plan to axe 260 people – 44% of staff.
“They are centralising in Middlesbrough, because they have already got a centre there,” the source said.
“That is happening between now and February. They have announced they are looking to make a 40% saving in Wales and for that to happen they need to make a 44% staff reduction.
“That is just Wales. They are doing the same in other areas.”
Working Links was handed contracts to run probation in Wales, Devon and Cornwall, and Bristol and Avonmouth when the government privatised it last year.
“They are on about having contact with offenders via Skype or text,” said the worker.
“They would not even be coming in but being seen on a screen.
“The risk to the community is huge.”
What will the effect be?
The source said everywhere in Wales would be affected.
“They announced this week they are setting up centrally based admin hubs, which is like a central pool based in Cardiff and Swansea,” said our source.
“There will be no admin staff in areas like Haverfordwest, Merthyr or Pontypool.”
The effect will be “massive”.
The service is already under pressure.
'It's dangerous'
“The probation service is already criticised as soon as anyone commits an offence,” the insider said.
“It will only take one person to commit a horrendous crime and people are going to turn around and say, ‘It is probation’s fault because they do not monitor them.’
Read more: Locked up: The murderers, paedophiles and other criminals sent to prison in Wales in November
“It is dangerous, it really is dangerous. It’s happening because Working Links are a profit-making organisation and they told the government they could make a 40% reduction in costs.
“Working Links have to make us cost effective and probation is never going to be cost effective because it is hands on.”
The union is 'sceptical'
Unison spokesman Glyn Jones said Working Links had not provided “full details of the new way of working in probation.”
“From the little we have heard we are sceptical,” he said.
“With regards the technology to be utilised we have grave concerns and we have concerns about the safety of our members delivering the service in buildings that are not suitable.”
Mr Jones said union members had already been attacked by criminals when they were meeting in premises other than secure offices.
He said the union had been assured they would be a “full and frank discussion” about the proposals.
This is what Working Links says
Working Links insisted they wanted to “help offenders to turn away from a life of crime and thus reduce reoffending.”
“After careful consideration, we are starting to streamline our support services across the business and have opened up opportunities for voluntary redundancy for those wishing to leave our CRCs,” a spokesman said.
“This will be an enhanced package and it is our aim, wherever possible, to avoid compulsory redundancies.”
Working Links confirmed it was “consulting on proposals on changes to our estates.”
It wanted to create “a more cost effective information technology solution” to “deliver efficiencies.”
“We are a major employer in Wales and although remaining headquartered in Middlesbrough, we are proposing two of our main operational hubs will be in South Wales, with an additional Welsh language hub in North Wales,” a spokesman said.
“At this stage we are simply looking for expressions of interest of those people who may wish to leave the organisation.”
Considering a 'more remote delivery of services'
The changes “will last some months.”
“These voluntary redundancies are focused on enabling us to align our support services across the Working Links group,” the spokesman said.
“We will ensure probation officers continue to focus on supporting offenders and reducing rates of reoffending. Our goal is to give them even more front-line time to do this by reducing some of the non-essential back-office work that they are currently required to do.
“As part of our proposed changes we are considering a split between physical face-to-face interactions with service users and a more remote delivery of services.
“We are consulting with the unions and our people on all potential changes and detailed risk assessments will be undertaken for each offender we work with and at all times we will ensure we deliver a safe service. Our front line delivery will not be negatively impacted by our proposed changes.”
see-http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/criminals-could-dealt-via-skype-10624496
No comments:
Post a Comment