Brinsford

While digital improvements are being explored, the nature of that work means that any digital changes are likely to take longer to develop.

HMPPS take a very pro-active role in managing the Prison Education Framework (PEF) contract. The contract is designed around a hybrid model that acknowledges the role that Governors have in holding the provider to account locally whilst the HMPPS Contract Team can ensure contractual obligations are met both by the provider and the establishment. The PEF contracts have a range of supplier obligations plus quarterly performance payments linked to the quality of the teaching which require the provider to meet suitable levels of performance or face financial penalties. Service level 3, which is the Teacher Quality Management Plan (TQMP) requires Governors to sign off Novus performance on a quarterly basis. Monthly performance meetings with the use of the Curious Management Information System are used to monitor and challenge performance prior to sign off. During Contract Year 1 (April 2019 - March 2020) HMP/YOI Brinsford did not approve the TQMP for two of the four quarters. Since the introduction of the Notice to Improve, and continued monitoring of performance, the prison has approved all TQMPs for Contract Year 2.

Turning to your repeated concerns about the education provider, as outlined in my response of 3 June 2020 a Notice to Improve for Lot 15 (the West Midlands lot, which includes HMP/YOI Brinsford) was formally communicated in May 2020, with the provider (Novus) producing an action plan to improve performance. This plan focuses on the quality and quantity of the Novus provision, with specific actions and targets for the recruitment and retention of staff, as well as the improvement of the quality of provision. These actions are reviewed both locally and regionally alongside the HMPPS National Quality and Contract Management Teams. Weekly meetings are held with Novus to discuss progress and all actions are scrutinised in detail. Monthly meetings are also chaired by the HMPPS Prison Group Director with attendance from the HMPPS Contract Management Team and Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Commercial colleagues, where there are further reviews of progress against the improvement plan. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, and with a further period of national lockdown, HMPPS will continue to work with Novus on the actions that are achievable despite local or national restrictions. The ongoing review of the action plan has had a positive impact on Novus’ recruitment activity, resulting in the four vacancies identified in May 2020, now all being filled. HMPPS will continue to monitor and push for improvements from the provider at both HMP/YOI Brinsford and in the overall West Midlands Lot to ensure learners receive the education and support they need. The prison’s Learning and Skills Manager is currently engaging in discussions with the local education manager and Novus Lot Manager about the curriculum for the new contract year. The majority of the courses being considered are orientated towards employment both within the prison and also on release or release on temporary licence. These courses reflect both labour market information and input from serving prisoners through a needs’ analysis. It is intended that the prison will offer a blended learning route that links education into prison-based academies, where prisoners will be able to gain both practical skills and the underlying knowledge. These academies will also then feed into paid employment within the prison and through partnerships being developed with New Futures Network, potentially into paid employment on release.

The prison’s Learning and Skills Manager is currently engaging in discussions with the local education manager and Novus Lot Manager about the curriculum for the new contract year. The majority of the courses being considered are orientated towards employment both within the prison and also on release or release on temporary licence. These courses reflect both labour market information and input from serving prisoners through a needs’ analysis. It is intended that the prison will offer a blended learning route that links education into prison-based academies, where prisoners will be able to gain both practical skills and the underlying knowledge. These academies will also then feed into paid employment within the prison and through partnerships being developed with New Futures Network, potentially into paid employment on release. The courses under review include barbering, window fitting, catering, landscaping/horticulture, Mentoring Level 2 and 3, carpentry, construction skills and multi-skills (plumbing, tiling, electrical). In addition, to ensure that all prisoners are able to access education, there will be some provision for in-cell study, supported by a structure of study groups and one-to-one tutor time. As mentioned above, existing prison work parties will also benefit from an outreach service for maths and English. All courses will be subject to robust quality management through lesson observations, learning walks and prisoner feedback. Closer links will be formed with the PE staff to build physical education into the curriculum and allow some joint enterprise to take place.