§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance is given to family court welfare officers; and if he will make a statement. [103245]
§ Mr. BoatengFamily Court Welfare officers are expected to comply with the National Standards for Probation Service Family Court Welfare work, published in 1994. The Standards, which set out basic standards of good practice, are issued in consultation with the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Department of Health and the Wales Office. Probation Services should ensure that local procedures are instituted to monitor whether the standards are being achieved. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation inspect service performance against the standards.
Court welfare officers must ensure that their work is free from improper discrimination on any ground; chapter one of the standards includes guidance on equal opportunities.
In addition, an induction manual produced by the Association of Chief Officers of Probation is given to members of staff on appointment as family court officers and is supported by a National Induction programme and two training resource packs, one of which includes an anti-discriminatory trigger training video.
A copy of the National Standards has been placed in the Library of the House.