Content

Recent Changes

What those changes mean

What has happened since the changes

How are we managing the changes?

Implications Revised Codes of Practice

TACT visiting arrangements to include copies of reports to IRTL

Training Module for visiting TACT detainees

Revised initial training materials

A need to produce updated national standards

Revised Codes

of PracticeBecame effective 22nd April 2013

Contains 34 paragraph musts for PCCs, 15 for ICVs & 15 for the police

Following consultation, looked to views and opinions of stakeholders

ICVA has organised a wide ranging consultation to produce national standards

TACT Visiting

References

Access to detainees – paragraph 53

Talking with detainees - paragraph 58

Audio & video – paragraphs 66 –72

TACT visit reports – paragraph 79

ICVA – TACT Training

All PCCs received a copy of DVD training package & one copy of student book.Contains 3 scenarios for ICVs. Allows for individual training as well as group delivery

Copies of Visit Report form submitted to IRTL also on ICVA website There will be a conference early next year to share best practice

Revised Initial Training Materials

Mental Health Module

Juvenile Module

National Standards Consultation & the

findings

National Standards ConsultationICVA launched a consultation process into updating the national standards. This took place throughout the Summer. The main objectives were to:

• include legislative updates

• ensure that the standards reflect the experiences of all involved in the custody visiting process

• incorporate good practice developed locally.

How are schemes similar?

The Acts, Codes of Practice & updated National Standards give clear information to PCCs on the following:

   Publicity

   Recruitment, Selection & Retention

   Training

   Working Protocols

   Working Practices

    Feedback

Consultation - findings

There is no standard

application form between PCCs

 The vetting of volunteers still differs

 The application of an upper age limit is imposed as insurance cover sometimes ceases at 80.

 Schemes within the UK decide on the tenure of ICV’s and some do not carry out full re-assessments of suitability which must take place at regular intervals but no longer than three years apart.

Training

The way in which visitors are trained also differs from PCC to PCC:

• How & by whom are visitors trained

   What is included in the training?

   Have you been consulted on training and is there a structured plan with clear objectives, which must be developed locally.

  The PCC must evaluate the effectiveness of training and the extent to which it is achieving its objectives. 

 Working Protocols

There is no standard ICV visit report form for recording what takes place during the visit

• Are visits in your area rostered and by whom ?

• What is the frequency of visits and is it sufficient ?

• What guidelines are in place locally

• What arrangements are in place to meet with the scheme administrator / police etc ? 

Working Practices

There are different processes in relation to visiting schemes

• Access to the custody suite – what formal arrangements are in place for out of hours –how is this carried out?

• Access to detainees (some schemes need signature to see ICV & custody record)

• Self-introduction – has it been adopted by all schemes?

Feedback

Key areas in the process remain:

• Reporting to police

•Reporting to PCC

•Responding to ICV issues

•Newsletters

•Annual Reports

•Social Networking

The Future Direction

• Key performance indicators / benchmarking / health checks ?

• Module on alcohol / drugs ?

• One National scheme ?

• One national ICV visit report form ?

• Accreditation of training ?

• 2014 NPM conference ?