Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to improve (a) service user and (b) ex-service user (i) engagement, (ii) involvement and (iii) employment in the reintegrated National Probation Service.

We recognise the importance of engaging current and former service users in order to help shape a better probation system, and have sought their views on their experiences of probation and on key elements of the new model through surveys and focus groups. This engagement is ongoing and will continue as the new model is implemented so that we can learn lessons and further refine the approach to service delivery.

The National Probation Service will maximise opportunities for current and former service users to secure paid and unpaid roles within the organisation, particularly through the development of peer-led work, including peer mentoring schemes, which have played a key role in helping service users find routes into employment.

HMPPS is also developing a national Service User Involvement Plan, including service user involvement standards of excellence, which will set out our overarching commitments to service user involvement and support the sharing of good practice, and will establish a commitment to regular consultation and engagement opportunities for current and former service users at national, regional and local levels.