Liaison with CPPS Psychologists

The probation officer must liaise with the CPPS psychologist if:

• psychological assessment or treatment is proposed
• the offender is currently undertaking psychological treatment or assessment.

If the offender is involved in psychological assessment or treatment, the probation officer should liaise with the psychologist providing the assessment or treatment.

If the probation officer is considering recommending psychological assessment or treatment, then they must liaise with a CPPS psychologist in the area the offender proposes to reside.

Psychologist input in to the release proposal

When an offender is involved in psychological assessment or treatment, the probation officer must consult with the psychologist and:

• take any key rehabilitative needs or treatment recommendations identified by the psychologist into consideration when developing the release proposal
• seek the psychologist's endorsement of the special conditions proposed.

If information about rehabilitative needs or treatment in the psychological assessment report and parole assessment report differs, then the probation officer must explain why in the parole assessment report.

Note: This should only happen in situations where it is not practical or workable to include the treatment recommended in the psychological assessment report (eg, psychologist recommends intense monitoring and supervision to be carried out by CPPS and this is not feasible).

Probation officers must not recommend psychological assessment or treatment for an offender without first obtaining the endorsement of a CPPS psychologist. This is to ensure that:

• such conditions are recommended appropriately 
• the offender is eligible for psychological assessment or treatment
• psychological assessment or treatment is available in the area the offender is proposing to reside.

Endorsing special conditions 

The probation officer must seek the psychologist's endorsement when recommending special conditions for psychological assessment or treatment.

It is expected that the probation officer and psychologist should discuss any special conditions for psychological assessment and treatment and whether to recommend such a condition.

The result of the discussion should be entered in casenotes as a record of having sought and received a decision regarding endorsement.