The Need for Self-Awareness in the Caseworker
| DOI | 10.1177/026455055600800204 |
| Published date | 01 June 1956 |
| Date | 01 June 1956 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
improving our skill is, I think, basically an artificial one;
tation, amongst some groups of the population, of probation
language and thought are inextricably bound up with each
work as a vocation and a skilled profession. The churches,
-other; until we can express our thoughts they are unlikely
for instance, probably have within their walls many a
to develop, and any real interplay of ideas cannot take
potential probation officer, and if a spark of interest in pro-
place. It is then a matter of urgency, both for the develop-
bation could be kindled in some teen-agers at school or in
.ment of our own ideas within the Service, and for their
youth organisations, it might well grow to a blaze of eager-
iransinission to a wider circle outside the Service, that we
ness a little later in life. We
know that much valuable work
should take courage and analyse and express them, especi-
is done locally, here and there, to make known the work of
.ally in writing -
even though we are well aware in these
the service in these circles, but this sporadic and unorganised
CIICII’lglltg times that before long they may well Izave to
activity could probably be organised and extended to very
be discarded for better ones. We have made a begin-
good purpose, and with this end in view I would suggest
ning in this respect; the Development Committee has
we should consider approaches at national level to the
already produced two documents; one on training, the other
churches, and to the appropriate bodies concerned with
on casework supervision; and it is, as you know, recom-
grammar school education and senior youth organisations.
mending that it should be made responsible for a new
If we could gain their interest we should then have to
version of the Handbook of Probation -
whose publication
explore ways and means of promoting our objective; pos-
next year, if possible, would be specially opportune to mark
sibly we should have to produce suitable literature, varied
the 50th Anniversary of the establishment in law of the
in accordance with the degree of receptivity we could
Probation Service. Further, I take it as a good omen that
anticipate in the particular groups we wish to approach;
the first issue of the new Journal is comprised so largely of
possibly from amongst ourselves we should try to establish
articles written by members of the Service, and if this
a panel of speakers -
a large one, I hope, from every part
should be a sign of greater readiness on our part to put pen
of the country. In any event, if our approaches met with
to paper it would be a matter for great rejoicing. It is also
any response, careful thought and organisation would be
cheering to see members of the Service lecturing rather
required to use to full advantage any opportunities which
more at our Branch Conferences. The tale of probation and
present themselves. In all this, I am not for one moment
probation casework is there for the telling; and we should
suggesting we should become propagandists, and so interest
ensure recognition for ourselves as qualified above all others
unsuitable people in probation, but rather that we should
to tell it.
ensure that an objective picture of probation work is pre-
sented and available to more members of those groups
Education for Probation
which contain people who might ultimately consider apply-
There is one theatre of operations in which the effort to
ing for admission to the Probation Service.
be more articulate and more explicit, though on rather a
These then are the tasks of the Association which seem
less technical level, might be of particular benefit to the
to me to be called for at this moment of our history; some-
Service at the present time. We are all well aware of the
how time must be found, however, not only for them, but
shortage of suitable candidates for training, and the con-
for all those other tasks which I described earlier as peren-
sequent difficulties in staf~ng some areas, and I would
nial, and which are likewise of vital importance to our
suggest that we should try without delay to assist in over-
Service and to probation. It seems a far cry back to our
coming this through our Association. We are still of course
constitution now; but only if its improved state contributes
attacking one reason for this problem energetically in the
in some degree to all these -- shall we say, more exciting
proper quarters, but the difficulties in recruitment of proba-
things -
shall we be able to say in due course that we have
tion officers may well arise in part from inadequate presen-
not spent our time in vain.
added, &dquo; I have a scheme prepared for that&dquo;. The possi-
bility of such a scheme being introduced here will be
watched with great interest.
THE HOME SECRETARY has had many questions in recent
The passing of the Criminal Justice Bill 1948 led to a
weeks about prisons, prison accommodation, diet, escapes,
sudden and rather unexpected use of the new sentences of
living quarters for staff, prison officer recruitment, and the
preventive detention so that extra accommodation had to
payment of prisoners. In most matters he was able to give
be found for the housing of prisoners serving these long
factual...
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