It is not uncommon for elements within the Pillars to portray the Focus Group as a section of society that costs the state a fortune – for which the state gets no return.
As I said in the Sub-Chapter on Media (and just to recap) the more sensational media portrayals of the poor are accompanied by insulting terminology that vilifies the people who are suffering in a very subtle way, and mockery. In the so called quality media, the portrayal is often patronising and belittling.
Children who are growing up and observing the game-playing that I described in the previous post (which really is a survival strategy) in their families will obviously learn the skills of this game playing from a very young age. The structure of the society that is held up by the Pillars ensures that this often perpetuates throughout the life course and largely determines responses by statutory services. Many voluntary services, often unwittingly, follow suit.
On a more positive note, some people who work in the Pillars in departments that are concerned with the disadvantaged began their careers in voluntary agencies supporting families. Because of that they often have deep knowledge of and concern about people in the Focus Group. In addition to these, there are many compassionate people who have genuine concern for society working at different layers within the Pillars.
However, banality, inefficiency, duplicity and sometimes even corruption seem to affect a lot of the work, contaminating initiatives new and old that would make a difference. I mentioned the bullying power of mediocrity [1] and the comedy series ‘Yes Minister’ already!
Shows like ‘Yes Minister’ are hilarious (and I enjoy them immensely) but outside the laughs, in the real world, people actually suffer because of the torpor, apathy and obfuscation of the uncaring bureaucracy which is lampooned.
And there’s a very unjust and even cruel side to all the tomfoolery in high up echelons of State, that is, how we prioritise image and falseness over people’s lives.
Another factor pertaining to the Pillars is the relative transience of staff. Almost all research, in every context, posits relationship as the most important element in change, and the more distressed the individual – the more this applies. Social Workers, Gardaí, Prison Officers, Probation Officers, Care Staff in Care Homes will move jobs due to changing circumstances (e.g. promotion, transfer, moving house, marriage etc.).
Now there is nothing wrong with this; I mention it merely to illustrate further the difficulties that the Focus Group face that many people might not think of!
One thread that seems to run through all Pillars thinking is that they often don’t know how to solve the problem but they don’t know that they don’t know – or if they do know that they don’t know they won’t admit to not knowing.
Indeed, we spend an enormous amount of time, energy, and money trying to find out what works, so it can be replicated, expanded, (rolled out, as is said) and seen to be effective in achieving the objectives that it set out to achieve – and yet, it still doesn’t reach those who are most vulnerable.
As is often said, when all you have is a hammer, every problem takes on the appearance of a nail!
This, of course, makes the situation worse as the same things are tried over and over again with no perceived benefit to those who need change most.
[1]. I often feel that mediocrity is a characteristic that is far more prevalent in large organisations than in family life, which, generally, seems to resist it!