Recommendation 175

Communication issues persist after initial referrals. Carrie Peters told us that “risk and need are dynamic”, meaning that the risk presented by an offender, as well as their rehabilitative needs, may evolve while they are on probation. She explained that her organisation is often unable to pick up on such changes as they occur. 328 Niki Scordi confirmed that “as we build that trusting relationship, the woman can share much more about her needs”. 329 However, “it is very rare that we can add dynamically” to initial needs and risk assessments, Niki Scordi told us as she explained that “the most challenging thing is that the system and the way it has been designed does not allow for that flexibility”. 330 Rebecca Robson also told us that “it is getting live information about risk that presents us with a challenge” 331