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
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