Progress report on CPCG funding for 2004/05

Report: 6
Date: 26 July 2004
By: Clerk

Summary

Custody Visiting (formerly Lay Visiting) has been taking place in London for over 21 years. The ways this service has been provided across the local Panels has varied considerably. In April 2003, Independent Custody Visiting (ICV) became a statutory function of the MPA. The Home Office has subsequently developed National Standards outlining the responsibilities of the Authority for the operation of the Scheme in order to ensure a consistent and effective custody visiting service in London and throughout the UK. These include:· Organising the infrastructure of the ICV Scheme· The recruitment and conditions of service of administrators as well as volunteers delivering the service· Training of administrators and visitors, and · Overseeing the quality of the serviceAt its meeting of 13 November 2003, the Consultation Committee of the MPA adopted the recommendation to appoint a consultant to undertake a fundamental review of the operation of the Scheme, the ways in which the service is delivered, and the means by which the community is informed of the outcome. This report outlines the terms of reference by which the consultant will carry out this review.

A. Recommendation

- That

a final report of this review be presented to the Community Engagement Committee in November 2004.

B. Supporting information

1. The consultant will undertake:

• An audit of current provisions

2. This will incorporate first, a quantitative overview of the number of Panels in London, the number of custody visitors, the frequency of visits, the number of police stations served, etc. Secondly, it will incorporate an audit of current present provision of training services. Thirdly, it will include an audit of current administrative and organisational provisions at the Panel level, Panel activities, the services provided by the Panel Administrator and other local practices.

• Compliance

3. The consultant will undertake an analysis of current provisions in terms of their compliance with the statutory obligations as detailed in Paragraph 51 of the Police Reform Act 2002. In addition, the consultant will assess compliance with the Home Office Code of Practice as well as adherence to the National Standards guidance. There are also other aspects of the Authority’s work that impact on the delivery of the ICV service that the consultant is required to review. These are the recommendations arising from the Best Value Review of Equalities (2001), the MPA’s Service Improvement Plan that outlines some key performance measures for independent custody visiting, and the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000. The MPA Race Equality Scheme also outlines the ways in which the service will enable the MPA to meet the statutory General Duty and Specific Duty of the Act.

4. The introduction of the ICV scheme was one of the first significant race and community relations initiatives aimed at reassuring and developing public trust and confidence in the police. To ensure that the service provided through the operation of the scheme is seen as part of the overall performance of the MPA, the consultant will assess the level to which current provision is meeting reassurance objectives as well as equalities service performance objectives.

• Ownership, Leadership and Direction

5. Based on an analysis of the above, the consultant will review the existing allocation and utilisation of resources in terms of people, time, money, equipment/provisions, information, etc. Secondly, the consultant is required to identify options and recommendations to address, among other things, the present lack of clarity and consistency in the processes for meeting the reassurance objective of the scheme, the services provided to those detained in custody, the varying practices and performance of the panels, and the overall administration and management of the scheme.

Methodology

6. In undertaking this review, the consultant will, in addition to meeting with appropriate officials within the MPA and Home Office, undertake an extensive process of consultation with the existing Chairs, volunteers and administrators of the ICVPs. It is expected that his will include:

• Focus Group Meetings with Panel Administrators
• Focus Group Meetings with IC volunteers
• Focus Group Meetings with Custody Staff

7. In addition to the focus group methodology, the consultant will also develop a questionnaire for both Panel Administrators and for Independent Custody Visitors. Further analysis will be drawn from an assessment of current ICV reports as well as exit comments on Custody records from detainees.

8. Other research that will inform this review will include an analysis of demographic data (i.e. ethnicity / representation) in each London borough, as well as a comparative analysis and benchmarking with other similar schemes (e.g. other police authorities, with Amnesty International, Red Cross, Association of Prevention of torture, etc)

Timetable

9. A final report is to be completed by November 2004 for presentation to the MPA Community Engagement Committee. The report should contain:

1. Executive Summary
2. Present Provisions
3. Evaluation Processes (including Equalities Impact)
4. Evaluation Findings (including SWOT and settings Analysis)
5. Recommended Development Plan

1. Mission Statement, key Aims and Objectives, Policies
2. Development Aim and objectives
3. Action Plan
4. Monitoring and Evaluation Structure

6. Appendices

The consultant

10. The MPA has been fortunate in being able to obtain the services of Ian Smith OBE, Executive Director of the national body, the Independent Custody Visiting Association, to undertake this review. Funded by the Home Office, ICVA is the national body that exists to provide expert advice and support to police authorities and visitors. As perhaps the pre-eminent authority in the UK in the area of custody visiting, the MPA is able to capitalise on the knowledge and experience of Ian Smith. The fee payable for the review will be £28,000 exclusive of VAT.

C. Race and equality impact

The activities of the Panels are identified within the MPA Race Equality Scheme. There is therefore an ongoing responsibility to ensure that they undertake their activities in ways that meet the general and specific duties of the Race Relations Amendment Act.

As noted in paragraphs 2 and 3 above the consultant has been specifically directed to assess the level to which current provision is meeting equalities service performance objectives and to make recommendations where improvement may be required.

D. Financial implications

The cost associated with obtaining the services of the consultant has been budgeted within the Community Engagement budget for the 2004/05 financial year.

E. Background papers

None.

F. Contact details

Report author: Tim Rees, Head – Community Engagement Unit

For more information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

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