My partner works for the Probation Service, too. All I can say is, yes, this all sounds familiar! (In terms of what he's allowed to divulge, of course!). It makes me wonder about crime fiction, with its genius criminals. As far as I know, my partner has never encountered an offender who is anywhere near a Moriarty (but is that just because they're too much genius to get caught?).
Thanks for reading, Helen. Ah, good to hear your partner is a fellow probationer. Hope he's enjoying it/hanging in there!
Ha - it is a mixed bag tbh. I have come across some very smart guys over the years but, think you're probably right, Moriartys of the crime world never get caught!
I have just retired after nearly 30 years in Children’s Services, and the only excuse that changed in that time was around Covid - having it, isolating from it, kids having it etc.
Whilst Probation are able to breach people, I used to just keep going back until it was actually easier for people to let me in. That of course was another difference, in the main we went to them - as our job is actually to see the children.
This is such a brilliant read Andy, the combination of your role and life as a young dad make it all so poignant but fun. And I’d also love some light up bubble wrap - who invents these baby gigs?!
Part two didn’t disappoint. Going straight from the weed-infused home of a guy on probation to baby sensory is quite a change of scenery. Looking forward to part three!
I mean it Andy… this is a channel 4 series in the making!
I think your wife and I would definitely get on. Every week I ask my husband how he can bear to watch men being paid to talk who struggle to string a sentence together. We have been together a long time and he stopped answering back around 1998, so he just carries on watching! Thoughts and prayers to your wife 🙏😆
You must have a never ending supply of patience, Andy, with the constant lying... handy for being a Dad though. I am just reading up about noise and its negative impact on us all and hearing about your baby's sensory class kind of freaks me out... a sort of sensory overload I would think!
Ah, cheers, Wendy. Yeh, I was astonished he was telling the truth - stranger than fiction sometimes, I suppose? We went on to have a pretty good relationship after that. He did complete his hours in the end and, as far as I'm aware, he's stayed out of trouble since then!
The fact that there's two "mates" in here and absolutely no flying furniture suggests to me that things are on on the up already.
Also - light up bubble wrap?! Never mind baby sensory class, I need that.
All that rapport building training starting to pay off.
Haha - I haven't come across the light-up bubble wrap before or after that class - good stuff.
Thanks for reading, man.
My partner works for the Probation Service, too. All I can say is, yes, this all sounds familiar! (In terms of what he's allowed to divulge, of course!). It makes me wonder about crime fiction, with its genius criminals. As far as I know, my partner has never encountered an offender who is anywhere near a Moriarty (but is that just because they're too much genius to get caught?).
Thanks for reading, Helen. Ah, good to hear your partner is a fellow probationer. Hope he's enjoying it/hanging in there!
Ha - it is a mixed bag tbh. I have come across some very smart guys over the years but, think you're probably right, Moriartys of the crime world never get caught!
Great writing.
I have just retired after nearly 30 years in Children’s Services, and the only excuse that changed in that time was around Covid - having it, isolating from it, kids having it etc.
Whilst Probation are able to breach people, I used to just keep going back until it was actually easier for people to let me in. That of course was another difference, in the main we went to them - as our job is actually to see the children.
Thanks, Chris, appreciate that.
Ah, good on you. 30 years - wow. Of course, we work very closely with Children's Services and you guys do an amazing job.
Happy retirement!
This is such a brilliant read Andy, the combination of your role and life as a young dad make it all so poignant but fun. And I’d also love some light up bubble wrap - who invents these baby gigs?!
Most likely people under the influence I would imagine.
Thanks for reading, Faith!
Part two didn’t disappoint. Going straight from the weed-infused home of a guy on probation to baby sensory is quite a change of scenery. Looking forward to part three!
Ha, yes, it was a real pivot! Thanks for reading, man!
This was wild, love it 😂
Ah, thanks, Wendy! Part 3 (prob final one) out on Monday.
Love it Andy… I have worked in community health and housing and recognise so much of what you write… some of the TVs are mahoosive!
Loved the football bit too… I can’t understand why my husband watches (inarticulate) men talk about football either… I’m with your wife on that one.
This really could be a TV series… get it pitched!
Ah, thanks, Rebecca. That's really kind.
Haha. My wife just cannot tolerate it - think you and her might get on!
I mean it Andy… this is a channel 4 series in the making!
I think your wife and I would definitely get on. Every week I ask my husband how he can bear to watch men being paid to talk who struggle to string a sentence together. We have been together a long time and he stopped answering back around 1998, so he just carries on watching! Thoughts and prayers to your wife 🙏😆
Another comic masterpiece! With your heart of gold. Love it.
Ah, you're too kind, Sarah - thank you!
awesome - especially clubbing for babies
Honestly, it was a wild experience. Thanks for reading as ever, Cherry!
Hanging on for the next edition Andy - thank YOU.
You must have a never ending supply of patience, Andy, with the constant lying... handy for being a Dad though. I am just reading up about noise and its negative impact on us all and hearing about your baby's sensory class kind of freaks me out... a sort of sensory overload I would think!
Thank you for the great piece.
Thanks for reading, Rosalind. I fear my patience may have thinned a little over the years but I try! Yeh, baby sensory class is definitely a lot!
Excellent stuff Andy. I used to work on a behaviour change programme in a DA service so all these excuses sound very familiar…
Ah, so you're familiar with this world then?! Bet you've heard all sorts too!
Thanks for reading, man!
Oh yes. The blame, minimisation and denial was going off like fireworks 😂
Wonderful, Andy. Heartwarming ending. And loved that comment about baby sensory class being the closest you'd been to a nightclub in years!
Ah, cheers, Wendy. Yeh, I was astonished he was telling the truth - stranger than fiction sometimes, I suppose? We went on to have a pretty good relationship after that. He did complete his hours in the end and, as far as I'm aware, he's stayed out of trouble since then!
Oh, that’s great to know, Andy.
Yess it s very true
Thanks for reading!