Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 10
10
The probation service has been in a continual state of reform and uncertainty for the...
Recommendation
The probation service has been in a continual state of reform and uncertainty for the past five years, and is now adapting to the challenges presented by Covid-19. Whilst the announcement is a welcome one, the new model is expected to go live in the summer of 2021 and the Committee recognise that this is a huge task to undertake in a year, particularly given the current circumstances. We recommend that the Ministry of Justice set out a detailed timeframe for the transition of the probation service to the new model. Additionally, the Ministry of Justice should keep the Committee updated on progress, including any potential delays to the transition. The probation service has been in a continual state of reform and uncertainty for the past five years, and is now adapting to the challenges presented by Covid-19. Whilst Coronavirus (COVID-19): The impact on probation systems 25 the announcement is a welcome one, the new model is expected to go live in the summer of 2021 and the Committee recognise that this is a huge task to undertake in a year, particularly given the current circumstances. We recommend that the Ministry of Justice set out a detailed timeframe for the transition of the probation service to the new model. Additionally, the Ministry of Justice should keep the Committee updated on progress, including any potential delays to the transition. (Paragraph 61) 26 Coronavirus (COVID-19): The impact on probation systems
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Between March and May 2020, HMPPS carried out a rapid assessment of the impact of Covid-19 on the Probation Reform Programme delivery plan. Following this, the decision was taken to stop the competition for Probation Delivery Partners and to focus the programme on the creation of a new probation model. The decision to end the Probation delivery Partner competition, and focus our efforts on managing an orderly transition to the new Model at the point that CRC contracts end on 24 June 2021 was based on robust plans. Annex 1 sets out the timeline that we are working to. The programme continues to benefit from the independent advice of a Challenge Panel (made up of non-executive directors and others with relevant professional background) as well as the oversight of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA). The IPA will conduct a further review of the programme in late-September 2020, which will inform HMT’s consideration of the programmes Final Business Case in October 2020. Our priority for June 2021 is to safely transfer CRC staff and services into the NPS or Dynamic Framework providers. Beyond that date, we will spend a further year embedding our Target Operating Model.