Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the minimum level of training needed for Probation staff working in the Divisional Sex Offender Units within the Probation Service.

Probation staff who deliver accredited programmes in the Regional Sexual Offending Units are required to successfully complete a specific training programme provided by Interventions Services within His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). Initial accredited programme training is mandatory, delivered both face-to-face and remotely. Following this, facilitators receive ongoing supervision and development. As an organisation committed to continued professional development for facilitators, we are currently reviewing the requirements for facilitator learning and development.