Napo HQ Blog

  • Create new blog entry
    • '; }
    Consultation opens on revised Victims' Code

    In September last year, the government published its cross-government Victims Strategy. The MoJ says it has already delivered a significant number of the commitments in the strategy and it is on track to deliver the rest. Consultation  opened this week on the first stage in delivering the commitment to consult on a strengthened Victims’ Code, that will be both clearer, and more responsive to the changing nature of crime and victims’ needs.

    The consultation asks for views on the initial proposals for change, and the issues it should focus on.  It states that "this consultation is the next step in ensuring the experience of victims within the justice system – whatever their particular path and eventual outcome – does not result in them becoming a victim of the process, as well as the crime".

    The consultation is open until 11 September. You can find out more on the consultation website

    Government introduces Domestic Abuse Bill

    A new Domestic Abuse Bill was introduced into the commons on 16th July. In launching the Bill the government says "Far too many individuals have their lives destroyed by abuse and we need to build a society that has zero tolerance towards domestic abuse and actively empowers victims, communities and professionals to confront and challenge it and to provide victims with the support they deserve.That is why the government is committed to transforming the response to this terrible crime, including by introducing this landmark bill. The prevention of abuse and the protection of victims lies at the heart of the bill and our wider programme of work."

    The measures in the bill seek to:

    • promote awareness - to put abuse at the top of everyone’s agenda, including by legislating for the first time for a statutory definition of domestic abuse
    • protect and support victims, including by introducing a new Domestic Abuse Protection Notice and Order
    • transform the justice response, including by helping victims to give their best evidence in the criminal courts through the use of video evidence, screens and other special measures, and ensuring that victims of abuse do not suffer further trauma in family court proceedings by being cross-examined by their abuser
    • improve performance – the new Domestic Abuse Commissioner will help drive consistency and better performance in the response to domestic abuse across all local areas and agencies

    READ MORE

    Unions raise concerns over employers DBS assessment requests
    Local Branch Officials from Napo/UNISON/GMB have been inundated with requests from members for advice about the recent request issued by KSS CRC/SEETEC. This seeks staff permission to undertake a new DBS assessment and provide authority for further checks to be carried out in relation to wide ranging and comprehensive personal data. Read More
    What people need to divulge about their criminal records

    Just published, Ministry of Justice guideance for people on what information they need to give out if asked about their criminal record.

    READ THE MOJ GUIDE

    Wales to launch new trade union rights

    Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford yesterday detailed the core principles of a new Social Partnership Bill to the Welsh Assembly, which will make it easier for unions, employers and government to work together to provide fair work and a strong, productive economy for all. READ PRESS RELEASE

    The policies proposed by Drakeford and his team are based upon recommendations made by the Fair Work Commission, whose latest report was informed, in part, by the Institute of Employment Rights' Manifesto for Labour Law.

    The Institute is running a FREE event in Cardiff, on Tuesday 16th July, where the lawyers and academics behind the Manifesto will join representatives from the social partners who worked together to develop plans for reform, including Wakes TUC and the a member of the Welsh Assembly.

    INTERESTED IN ATTENDING?

    Napo seeks new Transfer Agreement – Wales is the immediate priority

    Napo and the Probation unions have commenced negotiations with HMPPS on the Staff Transfer and Protections Agreement. This will facilitate the movement of staff and offender management work from the CRCs into the NPS by April 2021. Ian Lawrence General Secretary reports… READ MORE

    Oasis gets contract for first Secure School

    News in, the Oasis Charitable Trust  has been awarded the contract to turn the Medway Secure Training Centre in Kent into a school for young offenders. It is due to open late in 2020.

    The Ministry of Justice has committed £5 million to the project, which will include a refurbishment of the classrooms and residential areas.Services provided to young people will include mentoring and working with young people at risk of violence and abuse.

    Rev. Steve Chalke, Oasis founder and leader, said the trust “believes in second chances” and that a “challenging and redemptive environment” would be provided for young offenders...From the very beginning of their stay with us, we will work with them to begin to prepare for their resettlement back into community to make an ongoing positive contribution to society in the future.”

    Medway Training Centre was graded ‘requires improvement’ by Ofsted, the Care Quality Commission and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons last year.

    Plans for secure schools have been in the pipeline following scathing criticism of existing young offender services in the 2016 Taylor report. The report warned that "children in existing public sector youth offender institutions received an average of only 15 hours of education a week, with an ambition of 30 hours prevented by “staff shortages and rising levels of violence”. It also said that children in custody are often unable to finish courses or sit exams they have been working towards for years.

    Two pieces of sad news unfortunately

    Paul Senior

    Anyone who has been around Probation in the last four decades will probably have met or heard Paul Senior, Emeritus Professor at Sheffield Hall University, and a former presenter of the Bill McWilliams Memorial Lecture, who sadly passed away on 22nd June. As many colleagues will know, Paul had been ill for a very long time. 

    His close friend, Tony Grapes has written: "Paul died in the Doncaster Hospice. His children, Joe and Hannah were with him.  This marked the end of the long and courageous battle against prostate cancer.  He has been an influential figure in UK probation for over 40 years.  Initially a probation officer, in Doncaster, in the 1970s, he soon became Training Officer in the South Yorkshire Probation Service before moving full-time to Sheffield Hallam University, where he worked as Professor of Probation Studies until 2017.  He remained Emeritus Professor there.  He delivered the Bill McWilliams lecture in 2015.  He was the author of many probation-related research studies, hosted innovations like the ‘Moments' series and the CJ Portal Lectures, trained thousands of probation officers, through several reincarnations of the probation qualification arrangements and stood, often alone and dogged, against the TR re-organisation/outsourcing debacle.  A quick-thinking, sharp-witted academic, Paul was a fierce debater, larger-than-life character and generous friend.  He will be sadly missed on the conference circuit where his ability to rove across seminars, plenaries and workshop, and capture the key themes in an off-the-cuff final summary set the standard."

    Condolences can be sent via Tony at 50 Bannerdale Road, Sheffield, S7 2DP

    Nick Jones

    We also heard tha Nick Jones, a long-time friend of Napo has sadly sadly pased away. His sudden death a week ago was a shock to those of us who had worked with him through the former NNC and later in his former role as Senior Employee Relations Lead for the NPS trade unions.

    Here is another touching tribute from his colleague Francis Stuart: "It is with great sadness and regret that I must make you aware of the death this last weekend of our much loved and valued colleague Nick Jones. Nick will be known to many colleagues in HMPPS for his dedication and work over many years in the world of probation and as a key member of the former HMPPS HR Directorate Employee Relations team. He was known for his kindness, wonderful sense of humour, fun and charm. He retired from the service in the Summer of 2018 and his send-off was typically one where the venue was packed with colleagues from nearly 40 years of Civil Service, all with a unique tale about Nick to tell. Typically, on his last day of service, Nick attended for work in his flip-flops and Bermuda shirt and shorts, a big grin on his face, ready for the adventures to come. He loved travel and during the last year was able to add a few more exotic trips to his life’s itinery with his partner Richard. Tragically, Nick died suddenly in Dubai whilst on route on another trip abroad to visit friends. Our thoughts and heart-felt condolencies are with his family and Richard. The Employee Relations team will be very happy to forward any messages that colleagues of Nick wish to send to Richard and his family. We will make staff aware of any funeral arrangements once these are known. Please remember Nick, Richard and Nick’s family in your thoughts and prayers."

    Black Votes Matter

    Make Votes Matter welcomes Napo members to a discussion event exploring how the current voting system disadvantages minorities, and what can be done to improve that.

    MORE INFO

    The event will take place on Thursday, 11th July (6.00pm - 9.00pm) takes place at the West Indian Cultural Centre, 9 Claendon Road, London N8 0DD MAP

    Prominent speakers include journalist Gary Younge (The Guardian), Dr Wanda Wyporska (Executive Director Equality Trust), Comr Olalekan Odedeyi (grassroots activist and founding member of Tees Valley Labour BME forum) and Justina Cruickshank (Vice-Chair of the Electoral Reform Society and member of the LCER executive committee).

    Together with Make Votes Matter, the panel will help consider:

    • What's the problem with the current ‘First Past the Post’ voting system?
    • Does the manner of political debate resonate with people from minorities? If not, what puts people off?
    • How can we empower Black communities to increase their political voice? Would a Proportional Representation (PR) system help achieve this?
    • Does PR give extremists more political power - what are the fact

    Limited FREE tickes from makevotesmatter.eventbrite.co.uk  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

    Napo, Statement to members in conncetion with the union's annual return for the period ended 31 December 2018.

    (As required by Section 32A of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992

    CERTIFICATION OFFICERS REPORT

    Income and Expenditure

    The total income of the union for the period was £1,183,183. This amount included payments of £1,109,229 in respect of membership of the union. The union’s total expenditure for the period was £1,585,909. The union does not maintain a political fund.

    Salary paid to and other benefits provided to the General Secretary, President and members of the Executive

    The current General Secretary of the union was paid £72,295 in respect of salary and £2,892 in respect of Pension.

    Irregularity statement

    A member who is concerned that some irregularity may be occurring, or have occurred, in the conduct of the financial affairs of the union may take steps with a view to investigating further, obtaining clarification and, if necessary, securing regularisation of that conduct.

    The member may raise any such concern with such one or more of the following as it seems appropriate to raise it with: the officials of the union, the trustees of the property of the union, the auditor or auditors of the union, the Certification Officer (who is an independent officer appointed by the Secretary of State) and the police.

    Where a member believes that the financial affairs of the union have been or are being conducted in breach of the law or in breach of the rules of the union and contemplates bringing civil proceedings against the union or responsible officials or trustees, he should consider obtaining independent legal advice.

    INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF

    NAPO We have audited the accounts of Napo for the year ended 31 December 2018, which comprise the Income and Expenditure Account, Balance Sheet, the Statement of Movement in funds and notes to the accounts, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their

    preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

    This report is made solely to the union’s members, as a body, in accordance with the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the union’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors’ report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Union and the Union’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

    In our opinion the accounts:

    • Give a true and fair view of the state of the union’s affairs as at 31 December 2018 and of its surplus for the year then ended;
    • have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice;
    • have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.

    Basis of opinion

    We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards of Auditing (UK) (ISAs) (UK) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors responsibilities for the audit of the accounts section of our report. We are independent of the union in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the accounts in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and the provisions available for small entities, in the circumstances set out below, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

    In accordance with the exemption provided by FRC’s Ethical Standard – Provisions  Available for Audits of Small entities, we have  prepared and submitted the union’s returns to the tax authorities and assisted with the preparation of the accounts.

    Conclusions relating to going concern

    We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you where:

    • the union’s use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the accounts is not appropriate; or
    • the officers have not disclosed in the accounts any identified material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt about the union’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve months from the date when the accounts are authorized for issue.

    Other information

    The other information comprises the information included in the report and accounts, other than the accounts and our auditor’s report thereon. The members of the Executive Committee are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the accounts does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. In connection with our audit of the accounts, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the accounts or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the accounts or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

    We have nothing to report in this regard.

    Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.

    In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

    • the information given in the executive committee report for the financial year for which the accounts are prepared is consistent with the accounts.

    Matters on which we are required to report by exception

    In light of the knowledge and understanding of the union and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the officer’s report.

    We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

    • adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for the audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
    • the accounts are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns ; or
    • certain disclosures of officers’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
    • we have not received all the information and explanations we required for our audit.

    Responsibilities of Executive Committee

    As explained more fully in the Executive Committee responsibilities statement, the Executive Committee are responsible for the preparation of the accounts and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Executive Committee determines is necessary to enable the preparation of accounts that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

    In preparation of the accounts , the Executive Committee are responsible  for assessing the union’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Executive Committee either intends to liquidate the union or to cease operations , or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

    Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts

    Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the accounts as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these accounts.

    A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the accounts is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. The description forms part of our auditor’s report.

    David Goodwin (Senior Statutory Auditor),

    For and on behalf of Sturgess Hutchinson (Leicester) Ltd

    21 New Walk, Leicester, LE1 6TE

    Dated 16. May 2019

     

    Back to top