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Surely common sense is out there somewhere?
August 15th, 2011 by Mike Barrett
Stuck in a traffic jam on the M1 returning from a recent conference, I started to think about what was said and debated. My mood became more depressed as I realised that I can’t remember the last meeting or conference within nearly two years where the “agenda” was not full of doom and gloom. It suddenly struck me how difficult my job is becoming, leading an organisation which is part of a sector that feels so out of control and facing what feels like never ending uncertainty.
“Not only does our work go on, but so does the unbelievable commitment and professionalism of our staff.”
As luck would have it, the traffic afforded me some time to look over my notes from various teams meetings and things seemed a little better. Not only does our work go on, but so does the unbelievable commitment and professionalism of our staff. The work they do with some extremely vulnerable and, at times, challenging people is testimony to their ability to weather this current storm. They do all this in the middle of QAF inspections, retendering and budget cuts which is truly inspiring.
“These decisions are incredibly difficult, I understand that, but surely honesty and transparency are vital…”
However, recent events in relation to media coverage about the cut to the rough sleepers’ service shows that some commissioners are not taking responsibility for the decisions they are making. These decisions are incredibly difficult, I understand that, but surely honesty and transparency are vital now so that organisations and service users know what they are facing in the coming months and years ahead. “Arguing” these issues out in the media spotlight is not the best way to arrive at a thought through strategic decision about how to provide (or not) for the most vulnerable in our society. Unfortunately this was the only way to get an admission that this service is being severely cut by some 75%.
“If we don’t stand up for the homeless and poor it seems that some parts of the establishment are happy to sacrifice services…”
I have also been in this sector long enough to know that by raising these issues we will have blotted our copy book, but there is a time I feel, when a duty of care to our services users and a duty to stay true to the charity’s constitution overrides politics and “playing the game”. If we don’t stand up for the homeless and poor it seems that some parts of the establishment are happy to sacrifice services for the sake of keeping the bureaucracy ticking over.
“…vulnerable people will have their lives ruined at the alter of procurement.”
I have been calling for open dialogue for nearly two years, but it seems this is not possible within the contract culture even though very vulnerable people will have their lives ruined at the alter of procurement. Surely common sense is out there somewhere?
About Mike
Mike joined the charity as Chief Executive in 1999. He has worked in housing and social care for nearly 30 years within local authorities, a national supported housing association and the charity sector. Mike has seen many changes to the sector over this time from the introduction of the Right to Buy scheme to a fundamental shift in the funding of supported housing in the 80’s and 90’s and the introduction of the Supporting People programme in 2003. He is a professionally qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Housing, a Fellow of the RSA (Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) and a member of the UK Housing Panel. He is heavily involved in the supported housing and homelessness sectors regionally. Mike is also chair of the East Kent Homeless Forum.
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