Child Protection Policy Guidelines within the HMPPS (Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service)
Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) Unveils Comprehensive Child Safeguarding Policy
Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) has released a new Policy Framework, outlining its commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The document provides operational guidance for HMPPS staff, emphasising the importance of this responsibility and the steps they must take to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children.
The Policy Framework applies to all permanent, temporary employees, and contractors of HMPPS. It is designed to support staff in their work, ensuring they have the necessary knowledge and resources to promote the safety and wellbeing of children.
According to the Framework, HMPPS is committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination and ensuring equal protection for all children. This commitment is enshrined in section 11 of the Children Act 2004, as amended by the Children and Social Work Act 2017, and the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014.
To address potential bias in decision-making, HMPPS requires staff involved with offenders to undertake Diversity and Inclusion Training. Managers within HMPPS are also responsible for identifying staff training needs related to safeguarding and welfare, arranging training, and monitoring its delivery to ensure effective safeguarding practices.
HMPPS staff must ensure child safeguarding concerns are carefully considered, particularly when supervising individuals who may come into contact with children. Probation practitioners must be satisfied that children at proposed or planned addresses of supervised individuals are not likely to suffer significant harm.
The Policy Framework also encourages cross-departmental support for decisions involving vulnerable groups, such as indeterminate sentence for public protection (IPP) women. Consultation with specialized psychology services is encouraged to support decisions affecting welfare and safeguarding.
Child safeguarding is woven into broader HMPPS strategies for equality, diversity, and inclusion, and staff roles, including education and operational roles, include explicit safeguarding responsibilities. The Framework instructs HMPPS staff to view safeguarding as a fundamental duty integrated across operational activities, requiring ongoing training, rigorous risk assessment (especially relating to housing and domestic environments), and collaboration with specialized services to protect children from harm and abuse in the secure estate environment.
The Policy Framework provides operational staff and strategic leads with a summary of their safeguarding responsibilities. It also outlines how HMPPS will fulfill its statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The Framework will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains effective and up-to-date.
This guidance represents a comprehensive approach combining policy commitments, training, operational risk assessments, and inter-agency collaboration to safeguard children connected to those within HMPPS’s remit. The Policy Framework underscores HMPPS's commitment to protecting children and creating a safer environment for all.
[1] Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). (2021). Child Safeguarding Policy Framework. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/child-safeguarding-policy-framework/child-safeguarding-policy-framework [2] Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). (2021). Child Safeguarding: Operational Guidance for Staff. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/child-safeguarding-operational-guidance-for-staff/child-safeguarding-operational-guidance-for-staff [3] Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). (2021). Probation Practice Guidance. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/probation-practice-guidance/probation-practice-guidance-volume-1--2021-update [4] Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). (2020). Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2020-2025. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-diversity-and-inclusion-strategy-2020-2025/equality-diversity-and-inclusion-strategy-2020-2025
- In alignment with the children's welfare commitment outlined in the Child Safeguarding Policy Framework, Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) has incorporated health-and-wellness considerations in its operational guidance, emphasizing the need to protect children from all forms of harm and abuse, ensuring their well-being is promoted to the fullest extent.
- As part of Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service's (HMPPS) Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2020-2025, the service has aimed to make significant strides in improving children's health by integrating child safeguarding concerns into broader policies, enlisting multi-disciplinary teams, and promoting best science and evidence-based practices in child welfare and wellness.
){kind=link}