Safeguarding

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Staff are aware of the local safeguarding strategy to protect adults at risk and the nominated local manager, and know what action they need to take.
• Staff are aware of their responsibility to protect adults at risk and know how to recognise signs of harm.
• Prisoners whose physical and mental health is likely to be adversely affected by their imprisonment are safeguarded while in the centres (see notes and references, note v).
• Prisoners can access a range of support services and staff encourage them to involve appropriate people to provide support.
• Vulnerable adults feel safe and protected from harm.
• Where harm or abuse is alleged or suspected, prompt action is taken to protect the individual and investigate the concerns.
• When required, prisoners can access advocates and/or appropriate adults to help them understand and give informed consent.
• Staff consult and cooperate with all relevant agencies to make sure prisoners are appropriately cared for and supported.
• Prisoners’ assessed needs and approaches to managing behaviour are incorporated into their individualised care and management plan.
• Consistent case managers are allocated for all prisoners at risk and are responsible for oversight of care plans between reviews.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Staff are aware of the individual risks posed by prisoners within the separation centre and take appropriate action to minimise them, including maintaining detailed records.
• Weekly risk assessment meetings are held to consider the risks and behaviour presented to prisoners by others and arrangements are put in place to make sure they have safe access to communal activities.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• A safer custody strategy is in place which recognises the specific risks to prisoners in separation centres and sets out procedures to help reduce the risks of self-harm and suicide.
• Staff are clear about their responsibility to preserve life, when to enter a locked cell and what to do in an emergency.
• Emergency processes are in place, which include immediate access to life-preserving equipment for trained staff.
• Staff are trained in suicide prevention processes and know how to support prisoners who self-harm.
• Staff are trained to identify and support prisoners who may have mental health problems, or who have been affected by trauma.
• Prisoners’ family and friends know how to raise a concern about the risk of self-harm or suicide, can ask for assessment, care in custody and teamwork (ACCT) processes to be initiated, and are kept appropriately informed.
• A multidisciplinary committee monitors the prison’s self-harm and suicide prevention policy and procedures and ensures support for the most vulnerable prisoners.
• Self-harm data are collected and monitored and any emerging patterns are identified and acted on.
• All serious ‘near-miss’ incidents are investigated thoroughly by appropriate independent investigators. They identify opportunities for improvement, which are rigorously pursued.
• Staff cooperate with and respond quickly and comprehensively to Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) investigations.
• PPO and coroner’s court recommendations are prioritised for implementation and are reviewed regularly.
• Prisoners at risk of suicide or self-harm are only held in special/unfurnished accommodation or given anti-rip clothing in clearly documented exceptional circumstances, on the authority of the governor and in consultation with the mental health team. Authority is recorded with the reasons for the decision.
• Personal possessions are only removed in documented exceptional circumstances, following a multidisciplinary review.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Staff use multidisciplinary care and support plans, developed in consultation with the prisoner, to identify vulnerabilities, risks and needs and implement strategies for reducing risk.
• Consistent case managers are allocated to all prisoners at risk and are responsible for oversight of care plans between reviews.
• Prisoners with complex self-harm/suicidal behaviours are managed using enhanced multidisciplinary case reviews.
• Assessment, care in custody and teamwork (ACCT) procedures are used properly and are rigorously quality-assured.
• Prisoners have access to care and support from their families and friends unless that contact poses a genuine risk to the prisoner, their family and friends, or the public, in which case the refusal is recorded and justified.
• Prisoners in the centre have access to a range of support when in crisis or at risk of self-harm. That support is tailored to a prisoner’s individual needs.
• Constant supervision is only undertaken if necessary and proportionate. Staff create a positive environment which encourages and facilitates access to a purposeful regime.
• Prisoners can access a range of support services and, subject to individualised risk assessment, staff encourage prisoners to involve their family or friends in their care and support.
• Information about prisoners at risk of self-harm or suicide is communicated to the offender manager in the community, when release is imminent.