National standards

The first set of National Standards in 1992 provided a prescriptive set of minimum contact levels for people on probation. These standards were revised in 2011 and 2015.

Our unified model carries a requirement to revise National Standards, to better deliver our business priorities:  Assess, Protect and Change.  It also gives us an opportunity to establish a longer term view of how National Standards should be defined.

Our National Standards 2021:  Supporting Transition to the Unified Model, came into effect on 26 June 2021.  Each standard includes a brief rationale, guidance with direct links to more detailed documents, including clear instructions on process, and access to guidance held in EQUiP.

National Standards apply to all staff and providers of probation services who manage and deliver the sentence of the court.  They will be measured from 26 June, with the awareness that a period of time will be required to embed these standards consistently across our business.  They will be reviewed and evaluated again during Spring / Summer 2022.