Complex cases
In 2019 Joseph McCann was sentenced to 33 life sentences for committing violent and sexual offences whilst subject to supervision by the National Probation Service (NPS), following his release from prison on license earlier that year. The subsequent Serious Further Offence (SFO) report prompted an independent review from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) which put forward several recommendations for change including ensuring that probation staff have adequate time to become familiar with complex cases for which they assume responsibility.
The Complex Case Pilot was set up in response to this recommendation and was piloted in four PDUs in the East of England probation region. Last week (19 September 2024, HMPPS published a process evaluation of the pilot so far.
Criteria
The pilot defined complex cases as those meeting ‘six or more’ of the complex case criteria listed below. Every month a list of people on probation is generated who meet six or more of the above criteria to the four pilot PDUs. The list is shared with these PDUs, and responsible Probation Practitioners are asked to have a reflective practice conversation with their SPO about the case. Where there are challenges or blockages with the case the Probation Practitioner is asked to contact the Complex Cases Panel team who hold a triage meeting. If additional support is deemed necessary, the supervising probation officer receives support from a multi-agency Complex Case Panel. The eight eligibility criteria are:
- Risk of serious harm level being high or very high
- Mental health concerns;
- Risk of self-harm/suicide;
- Learning difficulties;
- Current MAPPA 2 or 3 Registration
- Current OPD screening showing ‘Screened In’ yes
- Alcohol and/or Drugs a Need; OASys – alcohol is a need and/or drugs is a need;
- Sentence is IPP.
Findings
The process evaluation was based on 21 online interviews with Probation Practitioners, Quality Development Officers (QDOs) and senior members of staff who were advisory members of the Complex Cases Pilot at panel stage. It found the Complex Case Pilot has been positively received by those involved:
Interviewees spoke highly of the pilot for improving Probation Practitioner sense of wellbeing at work and creating a safe space for practitioners to spend time problem-solving their more complex cases.
- The pilot has provided additional space for reflective practice for practitioners.
- The pilot has encouraged a culture of knowledge sharing, and solutions discussed at panel have had a ‘trickle-down’ effect into other areas of practice across the service.
- The pilot made senior members of staff appear more visible and approachable.
There were however some concerns identified within the interviews undertaken.
- If the role of the QDO within Complex Cases is fulfilling its aims, and whether it may have been creating additional anxiety amongst practitioners.
- There were knowledge gaps in the current Complex Case process (i.e. panel presence) including mental health and adult social care.
- There was low awareness of the pilot among staff within the pilot Probation Region.
There were broader concerns raised regarding resourcing within the pilot model, and implications this could have as the pilot scales up.
Conclusion
The evaluation identified two main areas for further exploration and consideration:
- How best to provide peer support to probation staff, while also ensuring consistency around quality of practice.
- How to define a ‘complex case’ and how best to support practitioners through the challenges complex cases may bring.
Thanks to Red Zeppelin for kind permission to use the header image in this post which was previously published on Unsplash.
