Dear Colleagues,
Further to the Alliances Conferences held in the SW Probation Region on 18, 19 and 20 April, I am writing to provide you with the overall feedback from the conferences and some thoughts regarding next steps.
In doing so it is worth reminding ourselves of the aims and objectives of the Conferences which were:
Those of you who are solely interested in the sub-contracting possibilities will have seen the separate note regarding the actions taken since the Conferences and the next steps in terms of this process. You may feel a little frustrated by the pace of change but I hope you will understand that changes of this kind cannot be effected without due consideration of the wider implications from both a business and organisational perspective.
Our commitment remains, as always, to deliver the best value services in terms not only of cost but also both quality and effectiveness, however and by whomsoever those services are delivered, with the twin aims of reducing re-offending and protecting the public. It is for this reason that we need to ensure that the proper processes are developed and applied in determining what constitutes best value in these terms.
With regards the broader and longer term aim of building effective alliances both between the Probation Areas and potential partner/providers and, crucially, between potential partner/providers working in collaboration with one another, the Conferences sought to provide all participants with a range of tools for use in and a possible approach to the development of effective alliances.
The handouts and other materials were made available on the web site at www.probationsouthwest.org.uk and these remain accessible via this route. You will also have received a copy of Mark Darby’s book ‘The Alliance Brand’ which provides much greater detail and further tools and tips for your use. Should any of you wish to explore this avenue further then Mark can be contacted via his own web site at www.ALLIANTIST.com
From a Regional Probation perspective, the Regional Alliances Project Group, which was responsible for planning and delivering the conferences, will continue to meet on a regular basis, albeit with a revised brief in relation to the broader Business Development agenda. The group will be responsible for building on the work that was started at the Conferences in terms of both the sub-contracting agenda and Alliance building and will continue to work very closely with Martin Sollars from Clinks to identify ways of engaging ever more closely and effectively with the Voluntary Community Sector in particular.
The membership of this group comprises representatives from all 5 Probation Areas in the South West as follows:
Work is also ongoing at a National level in consultation with the Commercial and Competitions Unit (CCU) in NOMS to consider how best to support VCS organisations in particular to build their capacity and capability to partner Prison and Probation services effectively and to improve their skills in relation to the development of bids. Further information regarding this will published via the SW probation web site as it becomes available.
Should you wish to pursue any ideas or opportunities that you may be aware of at a local Area level then you should make contact with your Area representative by e mail as above.
A copy of the collated Conference Feedback is also available via the SW probation web site provided above.
Finally, on behalf of the Regional Alliances Project Group, I would just like to thank all of you who took the time and the trouble to complete the evaluation forms following the Conferences and I look forward to continuing to build effective alliances with many of you in the months and years ahead.
John Wiseman – Assistant Chief Officer Avon & Somerset Probation Area 04 July 2007
Dear Colleagues
Following the closure of the online registration form process on Friday 18th May 2007, the SW Probation Region received responses from 135 organisations interested in providing services for Probation in the future.
The content of the website has been updated to reflect the closure of the registration process. Organisations are still able to view the website, and also log in to the site to view their completed registration form and download the partnership conference slides and photos.
Probation in the SW have gained positive feedback from a number of organisations including other Probation Areas and regions. In the past 2 months there have been a total of 1987 unique hits to the website (unique visitors to the site); 646 in April and 1341 in May.
The five Probation Areas in the SW have undertaken an analysis of the registrations and the next stage is to move forward in a limited number of service delivery areas in the first instance.
Probation now has to take account of an approach agreed with the Regional Offender Manager, which ensures that the sub contracting of Probation service provision only occurs when it can be established that it is Value for Money to do so. In order to ensure this is the case, a ‘Best Value’ type approach has to be applied to those areas of provision. This means that it will take longer than previously envisaged to arrive at a point where sub contracting occurs.
However, in the meantime we will be contacting a number of providers about the potential and capability to work in alliance with Probation, prior to any formal tender opportunity.
Thank you for your contribution to this process, which aims over the longer term to involve a greater number of community based organisations in the reduction of re offending.
Nick Heape – South West Regional Business Development Manager
| Positive | Improvements |
| Informative | Promote a better BME mix |
| Useful networking event | more freeflowing dialogue / questions less on book |
| Networking possibilities | Little shorter, or more breaks as quite intense |
| Good and very informative | First sessions were pretty basic |
| Interactive, good networking | Formal breaks for tea |
| review ability to partner | one facilitator could have been better prepared |
| Informative, open and honest | Breaks would have helped |
| Good interaction | More opportunity for open debate |
| Very thought provoking | Too long, need tea breaks, open blinds |
| Ineractive and thought provoking | More time to network / get to know others |
| Thought about alliances and processes involved | More focussed, more BME participation |
| Informative, opportunity to learn and network | More interactive & info re group roles |
| Effective application based on research | Soften the stance of ROMs office in opening addres |
| Very useful in developing business awareness | a little more practice |
| Good tools and approaches to consider | groups could have been larger |
| Interesting subject / model | opportunity for all to talk about their org |
| Informative | Shorter workshops, some activities seemed rushed |
| Informative | More equal input from facilitators |
| Focussed the need for partnership | not relevant to my organisation - more info prior |
| Knowledge is better | Jargon buster |
| Good focus on basics - underpins delivery | Too much material to get through in workshops |
| Networking opportunities & shared concerns / ideas | pm module seemed to repeat some of am session |
| Interesting, potential for future alliances | pm session not inspiring |
| Prison awareness - meeting those involved | Q&A session earlier, shorter pm workshop |
| Useful topic and process to follow | Single case study throughout |
| Facilitated well | Less workshop slides - too much detail |
| Highlight necessity of building partnerships | Be able to read screens a litte better |
| Well presented, easy to understand | Bit more explanation of new concepts |
| Good grounding in future thinking of probation | More handouts instead of "on website" |
| Hopefully start of journey for radical change | Examples linked to proposed future opps |
| Very thorough, good principals, not short term fix | Some of q's were a bit woolly |
| Good mix of theory and practical exercise | Larger font on name labels & slides |
| Good information re organisations needs | 2 hr sessions needed 10 min break |
| Excellent Workshop for information | Microphones/PA system for hard of hearing, no lift |
| Good to meet local VCS orgs with focus | more time for networking |
| Focussed clear overheads | Perhaps slow the pace a little |
| Good networking opps | More networking opportunity |
| Opp to find out process for future involvement | could have been shorter |
| Some areas were relevant | not directly relevant to my role but interesting |
| Better understanding of probation approach | A bit more time to network |
| Interesting and new slant on partnership working | last bit too rushed, not applied to thinking |
| Different approach, refreshing change | Each session too long |
| Varied, interesting, good networking | More video type instruction |
| Clarity of future provision, publishes intention | more info before conference |
| Relaxed & structured, good time keeping, engaged | Poor lunch |
| Insight into probation vision, good for networking | pm too much sitting & listening. Fri pm feeling |
| Different approach worked well, interactive | Not on a Friday |
| Good, relaxed but informative, relevant | more exploration of possible partnerships |
| Made think creatively | assume some of audience know nothing about prob |
| Opp to network / good understanding of direction | More comfortable seating |
| Refreshing, useful tool for future p'ship planning | not such a late finish on Friday |
| Informative, opp to see what probation are looking | Once implemented, a review to check progress |
| Good content, well delivered, valuable to meet | Need clarity about 10%, procurement process |
| Excellent opp to network & see partner range | more emphasis on the latter end of the ICE map |
| Engaging, broke down complex process into steps | pm somewhat repetitive, |
| Networking, information about commissioning | A break in the morning session |
| Informative, understand attitude of probation | slides a bit overloaded, simplify ohp's |
| Experiential and allowed for wide variety of users | 2 trainers good but needs to be fully owned |
| Informative, good networking opps | pm lacked energy, felt more superficial |
| Provided tools to build & develop p'ships | Lunch requested wasn't available |
| Well presented, clear, logical | Add a break & mix the groups |
| Formative discussion within group, opp to share | Concern about commissioning & lack of pship choice |
| Informative, good insight into other orgs & p'ship | challenges for VCS orgs & probation |
| Enlightening that p'ships is improve not compromis | More group work in pm |
| Interactive, good model for p'ship development | Perhaps add 1/2 hr to slow pace slightly |
| Lots of opp to exchange views | Just looked at tip of iceberg |
| Opp to network | |
| Learnt skills which will affect p'ship in future | |
| Direct contact with providers, look at concepts | |
| Good to think about reality of working in p'ship | |
| Very interactive, good opp to network | |
| Valuable in making me think about partnering | |
| Best one yet from probation | |
| Useful info on forming successful p'ships | |
| Framework to develop - useful tool | |
| Really creative day - inspiring | |
| Learnt some useful things | |
| Good preparation for future bidding | |
| Shared vision when teams split for exercises | |
| Useful info and positive input from group | |
| Practical useful approach can be used immediately | |
| Experiental work, very helpful | |
| Enjoyed workshop discussions | |
| Focussed on subject matter | |
| Some good points | |
| Interactive and informative | |
| Meeting others, fun delivery am, thought provoking | |
| Opened my eyes to opps & other orgs | |
| Chance to meet / network | |
| Workshop involved us very effectively | |
| Introduced me to area of which I was ignorant | |
| Well delivered, interactive and well paced | |
| Clear info & guidance, good reaction from all | |
| Good opp to develop relationships | |
| Clear, checking out of understanding, well timed | |
| Networking opportunity | |
| Practival, useful & good opp to think about issues | |
| Good structure / environment and lectures | |
| Good model to work to, meet potential competitors | |
| Organised approach to future | |
| Networking & opp to explain joined up ability | |
| Good thorough info to p'ship working | |
| Relevant material | |
| Undersating the fundamentals of building alliances | |
| useful to stop & think about process involved | |
| Broad range of participants (vcs/prob/private) | |
| Very worthwhile, good exercises | |
| Refreshin, great delivery & enthusiasm | |
| Good information and preparation for p'ships | |
| Userful model to use & relevant, networking | |
| Useful structure to think through position | |
| Opp to hear experience/thoughts/anxieties | |
| Useful & practical exercises, good to have book | |
| First half of day inspirational | |
| Excellent, captureds essentials | |
| Networking, framework | |
| Good delivery, great opp to meet other orgs | |
| Interactive | |
| Excellent in linking p'ship - Boss should attend | |
| Useful practical workshops with tools to take away | |
| Workshop well organised and thought out | |
| Greater understanding of required alliance criteri | |
| Good concepts, space to explore / apply | |
| Excellent interactive learning methods | |
| Focussed mind on what needs to be done-alliances | |
| Good theoretical framework to build alliances |