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London Probation: Organisational Development
With over 3,000 staff, London Probation is a large and complex organisation operating in a challenging political, social and economic environment. Equality Works has been working in partnership with London Probation on two major organisational development projects since December 2007.
The first project was an extensive programme of consultancy and facilitation based on the themes of team building and performance management. The overall objective was to build on current strengths to ensure efficient, effective and fair performance management and to agree a team working framework which would deliver improved performance and ensure a fair and balanced work load.
Working closely with senior managers we drew up generic success criteria for improved team performance across the organisation. This was complemented by specific criteria for local teams that may be facing particular challenges involving performance management, working collaboratively and meeting targets. The programme delivered coaching as well as facilitated events with Directors and their teams.
A critical element of this work was that we built capacity within London Probation to nip potentially challenging issues in the bud, thus reducing the ongoing need to employ external consultants.
The second project began in May 2009 and has involved Board members, senior managers, trade unions and HR in a process that has required active participation in a cultural change programme that has challenged the way business is done. The Senior Leadership Team recognised that it was critical for performance to improve in order to protect the public more effectively, achieve Trust status and ensure London Probation was a better place to work.
Equality Works facilitated a ‘Truth and Reconciliation’ event that provided a platform for people to talk about their past experiences. It was a powerful and emotional event. An action plan was immediately agreed, led by the Chief Officer and the Senior Leadership Team. It involved re-writing policies and processes, of course, but also, and much more significantly, ensuring that there were behavioural changes. These changes included a commitment to dealing with difficult issues early and swiftly and to trade unions, managers and HR working together to find solutions rather than working in silos.
Equality Works not only facilitated the events but re-wrote the policies and processes in collaboration with trade unions, HR and managers and then carried out development workshops to equip middle managers with the skills to make the new policies work in practice.
The Chief Officer has called the Truth and Reconciliation process “the single most important event for LP in the last year” and recognises that the Truth and Reconciliation work was critical to achieving major improvements in performance.
One of the Assistant Chief Officers we recently worked with reported: “It is unbelievable the difference it has made for me and my team.”
Equality Works is proud to continue to work with London Probation to ensure the performance improvements are sustained.