Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to ensure the safety of probation staff working with high-risk offenders.

The safety, health and wellbeing of all probation staff is vitally important to us.

Across the Probation Service, generic risk assessments and Safe Working Practice documents are in place. These documents outline foreseeable risks and detail the control measures implemented to mitigate those risks as far as is reasonably practicable. The Policy Instruction 12/2015 – Arrangements for the Management of Violence and Aggression – remains in effect, supported by the ‘Managing Violence and Aggression’ training.

Personal safety devices are in place across the business, and we are currently rolling out upgraded Personal Safety Devices (PeopleSafe) across regions. These enhanced devices incorporate improved functionality and reliability, informed by user feedback and operational insights gained from the previous models which are currently in place.

We are currently undertaking a site-by-site review of physical security across the Probation Service to identify any gaps in security and will press ahead to ensure all sites meet the required standard for facilitating high-risk supervision. A range of safety measures will be looked at, including closed circuit television, alarm systems, intercoms and reception screening.

Additionally, the Home Visits Policy Framework forms part of the arrangements to help minimise risks to staff undertaking home visits in accordance with the Probation Service’s duty to ensure the safety of its employees so far as reasonably practicable. All those who undertake a home visit must conduct a pre visit risk assessment, which must be authorised by the line manager prior to the visit. The Framework can be accessed by the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/home-visits-policy-framework.