Introduction
The offender's supervising Probation Officer organises and convenes the meeting. A different PO should facilitate the meeting itself. This section covers the steps for the facilitator to follow before, during and after the meeting. Facilitators will have received training in SPM facilitation and resource packs to assist with facilitation in addition to these guidelines.
Before the SPM
Here is the procedure to follow, and the resources required for each step, before an SPM. All forms and fact sheets are available on Corrnet.
| Step |
Action |
Resources |
| 1 |
Organise a date for the SPM with the supervising PO. |
- |
| 2 |
Receive copies of the offender's CPS file documents and SPM forms from supervising PO and become familiar with the offender's risks and issues.
Note: CPS file documents should not be given to participants or taken into the meeting.
|
- Participant checklist
- Consent Form, signed
- Any psychological risk assessment reports
- Level 2 or pre-release report(s)
- Release licence or Court order
- Previous conviction history
|
| 3 |
With supervising PO, confirm participants and identify issues to be addressed during the meeting. Discuss:
- Assessed risk of offender.
- Current motivation and compliance.
- Participants' understanding of their roles, the SPM purpose and relapse prevention strategies.
- Any concerns about the suitability of support people.
- Reintegrative needs.
- Any issues that may prevent successful facilitation of the meeting.
- Any other concerns raised by the PO or other participants.
|
|
At the SPM
Here is the process for the facilitator to follow at the SPM.
| Step |
Action |
Detail |
| 1 |
Open the meeting |
- Welcome / karakia.
- Introduce the participants (who they are and their role or relationship to offender), and acknowledge those unable to attend.
- Explain the purpose of the SPM, consent to share information, and confidentiality issues.
- Explain the role of each participant, their rights and responsibilities in relation to the SPM.
- Go over general concepts of risk management, community safety, offender safety, the safety of children as paramount, and the importance of maintaining a non-collusive attitude.
|
| 2 |
Identify risks |
- Confirm offending details: victim age, gender, and relationship to offender, and offending history, frequency and patterns.
- Have the offender present his/her offence chain (if treated) or identified risks (if untreated).
- Discuss any other risks/concerns identified by participants.
- Identify high risk situations and early warning signs.
|
| 3 |
Identify risk management strategies |
- Discuss and agree upon strategies to
- manage the identified risks.
- avoid high risk situations.
- what to do in high risk situations.
|
| 4 |
Identify needs and supports |
- Identify the offender's needs in terms of support, reintegration, treatment/intervention, and meeting any standard or special conditions.
- Identify providers of support to meet these needs and how that support will be provided.
|
| 5 |
Develop the safety plan |
- Confirm participants' agreement on:
- risks and high risk situations.
- strategies to address these.
- needs and support providers and measures.
- Identify any concerns or unresolved issues.
- Identify follow-up actions necessary to complete the plan, including by whom and the timeframe.
- Arrange the frequency of any future SPMs and the next SPM date.
Note: The Supervising PO enters these details in Safety Plan Template.
|
| 6 |
Conclusion |
- Confirm the process for communicating concerns/issues/risks that arise (who to talk to and when).
- Re-confirm all participants' commitment to the process.
- Ensure supervising PO has up to date contact details for all participants and that they have signed the draft safety plan.
- Closing round for all participants. Discuss participants' responses to the meeting and any feedback.
- Close the meeting / karakia.
|
Withdrawal of consent during SPM
If the offender withdraws consent to the SPM during the meeting, the meeting must be closed. Information disclosed prior to withdrawal of consent can still be retained and used by the SPM participants for lawful purposes.
After the SPM
After the SPM the facilitator should liaise with the supervising PO to check that
- the safety plan is accurately and formally recorded and filed.
- all actions specified in the safety plan have been undertaken.
