Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 20
20
Acknowledged
Ministry of Justice and HMPPS lack clear "red lines" for acceptable risks in probation reforms.
Recommendation
Given the importance of the programme for the future of probation services and the associated risks, we asked MoJ and HMPPS what progress they had made in setting clear risk thresholds for the programme. HMPPS explained that, given the scale of the challenge, it had to take bold measures and argued that having a high risk appetite did not mean that it would not be cautious during implementation. MoJ told us that the programme would have good governance arrangements, the programme board would follow government standards and it would not take inappropriate risks. However, neither MoJ nor HMPPS were able to explain to us what the “red lines” are, in terms of the level of risk they are willing to accept, to help monitor operational and public protection risks.43 38 Qq 22, 44–46, 51–54,56 39 RSP0002, RSP0003 40 Qq 56–59 41 Qq 60–61 42 Q 62 43 Qq 48–50 15 Closing the capacity gap
Government Response Summary
The government agrees to manage implementation risks through governance arrangements, escalating risks that can’t be mitigated. HMPPS uses secondary indicators, such as performance, staffing data, and staff surveys to monitor wider organisational health.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
4.8 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 4.9 All changes, whether digital, process or scope are managed through appropriate governance arrangements. MoJ and HMPPS manage implementation risks through the fortnightly OFPS board. Risks that can’t be mitigated or remain out of tolerance are escalated through governance to the Capacity Delivery Board or HMPPS Leadership Team. 4.10 In addition, HMPPS uses a range of secondary indicators and through established governance arrangements such as performance, staffing data, staff surveys to monitor wider organisational health.