§ Judy MallaberTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when probation areas will be(a) able to get accreditation for domestic violence offender programmes and (b) eligible for funding. [122289]
§ Paul GogginsThe National Probation Service is developing two programmes for domestic violence offenders. One of them will be submitted for accreditation to the Correctional Services Accreditation Panel in October. If it gains accredited status it will be made available nationally, though the timing of implementation is still under consideration. The Panel will also be asked to comment on the other programme but this will require further work before it is ready to be formally submitted for accreditation.
Once the domestic violence programmes have been accredited and implemented areas will be able to count them towards the Probation Service Delivery Agreement for programme completion which attracts funding from the National Probation Directorate.