Introduction
The following information is to be provided to agencies as part of their induction as a CWA.
Nature of CW
Inform the agency of the following aspects of the nature of CW:
- the work should be useful to the agency
- the work should not be work that an employee would otherwise be paid to do
- the offender should undertake work not only for, but when possible, with members of the organisation. For the duration of the sentence, the offender is treated as a volunteer member of the agency.
- offenders must not accept, or be offered, any reward of money or gifts for work as this would be considered a serious breach of the sentence.
Liaison between CPPS and agency
Inform the agency of the liaison between the CPPS probation officer and the agency. The agency should adhere to the following guidelines:
- The agency must appoint a liaison person who communicates with the probation officer.
- Personal information, particularly about the offending, may only be released to persons in the agency who are responsible for making the choice about accepting an offender. Otherwise, information about the status of a person serving CW must remain confidential.
- The agency must notify the probation officer if it wishes to withdraw agency approval for a particular person.
Note: The probation officer must be available to deal with any problems during the placement.
CWA agreement
Inform the agency of the following aspects of the placement agreement:
- In terms of the agreement reached and signed by the probation officer and the agency representative, the offender is expected to:
- turn up on time and on the agreed days
- work well, and
- complete the full number of hours agreed with the agency.
- A separate direction to report detailing hours etc. will be signed by the offender.
- Should the type of CW undertaken by an offender placed with a CWA change in any manner, the agency must inform the probation officer so that the appropriate re-assessment can take place to ensure that health and safety are not compromised.
- The agency should endeavour to provide indoor work in the case of inclement weather.
- The organisation is not responsible for disciplining the person sentenced to CW. The probation officer deals with any breaches of the conditions or requirements of the sentence.
- Should the probation officer lay a breach or apply to vary or cancel the sentence in respect of alleged non-compliance with the conditions of CW, the agency:
- will be given the option to give evidence in court, but
- will not be required to do so.
Recording attendance
Inform the agency of their responsibility to record attendance:
- The agency must understand the importance of proper recording for the integrity of the sentence.
- Records, including “nil” returns, must be forwarded each week to the probation officer.
- Offenders must sign attendance forms each time they attend the agency.
- The agency must keep records of hours of attendance and will be given the opportunity to evaluate the work done.
Health and safety
Inform the agency that they should ensure the health and safety of the person placed with them, in accordance with the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.
