Joint Statement of Purpose by the Association of Chief Officers of Probation and the Royal College of Psychiatrists

The Association of Chief Officers (ACOP) of Probation exists to:

1. • develop good practice and effective responses to crime, and to ensure the protection of children's welfare in cases of family separation

2. • consult and negotiate with Government departments on behalf of local probation services

3. • establish and maintain links with other organisations and bodies working in criminal justice and family court welfare

4. • encourage cooperative and collaborative endeavours between services in order to improve service delivery and achieve value for money

5. • promote equal opportunities.

The objects and purposes for which the College is constituted are to:

1. (a) advance the science and practice of psychiatry and related subjects

2. (b) further public education therein

3. (c) promote study and research work in psychiatry and all sciences and disciplines connected with the understanding and treatment of mental disorder in all its forms and aspects and related subjects and publish the results of all such study and research.

Statement of purpose

Within the public policy areas of mental health, community safety and criminal justice, both the ACOP and the Royal College of Psychiatrists share issues of common interest. The purpose of this joint statement is therefore to promote joint working at the national and local level between the ACOP and the College.

Probation officers and psychiatrists operate in a world of changing expectations, mirrored by the concerns of politicians, the public and the media, about the way we manage difficult and often dangerous offenders with mental disorder. Care, treatment, rehabilitation, risk and public protection are issues we jointly need to address. We also need to be seeking to develop evidence-based practice and to work together and in partnership with social care agencies to deliver services that are safe, sound and supportive.

The Government is seeking to achieve greater working across departmental boundaries, and collaboration between the ACOP and the College can contribute to this.

Shared principles

The following shared principles will inform joint working at the national and local levels:

1. • protection of the public

2. • achievement of high practice standards

3. • consistent evidence-based approaches to work within the criminal justice system

4. • respect for each others' professional roles and contribution

5. • equal opportunities.

Joint aim

Effective working relationships between probation services and psychiatrists have significant mutual benefits. Of paramount importance is the contribution provided by effective joint working to the establishment of healthier communities and increased public confidence in the ability of both services to provide for their safety. Desired outcomes are:

1. • to reduce the risk of public harm

2. • to enhance public safety and public health

3. • to reduce the fear of crime and its impact on the health of the public

4. • to contribute to the enhancement of healthy communities

5. • to promote health care for mentally vulnerable offenders.

Areas of work

Joint working will be led by a joint ACOP/ College strategy group that will identify specific areas for collaboration and oversee the work, some of which will be pursued through existing groups. The following potential areas of joint work have been identified.

1. (a) Assessment and management of risk

   1. • confidentiality

   2. • psychiatrists' involvement in public protection panels

   3. • substance misuse

2. • Suicide and self-harm

3. • Supporting victims

   1. • victims of mentally disordered offenders

4. • Mentally disordered offenders

   1. • diversion of mentally disordered offenders

   2. • quality of psychiatric court reports

   3. • severe personality disorders

   4. • discharge from special hospitals

5. • Understanding structures, boundaries and roles

   1. • probation orders with a condition of psychiatric treatment

6. • Work in prisons

7. • Local arrangements

   1. • multi-agency public protection panels

   2. • local liaison

   3. • information sharing and protocols.

The joint strategy group will identify a programme of work, reflecting current concerns and priorities. It is envisaged that progress towards shared outcomes will be through task groups, preparation of guidance and joint events.