Promoting positive relationships and support within the prison

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Staff understand the impact of life experiences, such as trauma and abuse, on behaviour and this is reflected in how they work with women, for example, respecting personal space and avoiding loud noises.
• Staff know the women in their care well, understand how to promote their well-being and are alert to triggers for personal crisis.
• Staff are fair and courteous to women, for example using their preferred name.
• Leaders and staff lead by example and regularly engage with women on wings, setting clear boundaries and motivating women to progress in their sentence plan.
• When staff need to relay sensitive or unwelcome news to women, this is done in private and with compassion and is managed in partnership with relevant support agencies.
• Staff treat women’s cells and possessions with respect.
• The majority of staff and leaders who work directly with women in the prison are female. There is always a female member of staff in living areas.

 The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• All women have a dedicated member of staff who knows them well and holds structured and well-documented support meetings with them on a regular basis.
• The dedicated member of staff knows what is in the woman’s sentence plan and uses this to promote rehabilitation and release planning and reward success.
• Staff support women to access the support of their choice.
• Staff supporting women have an in-depth understanding of their trauma history as well as any caring responsibilities and other significant relationships. They understand the impact these can have on women’s well-being and current behaviour.
• Staff understand women’s wider support networks and help them to foster and develop their supportive relationships.
• Staff providing support are consulted on matters relating to the women in their care and involve other agencies where appropriate.
• Staff are aware of services available in the prison and in the community and help women to access them.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Women are supported to maintain positive relationships and set appropriate boundaries.
• Women can access support services to improve relationship skills.
• Staff are aware of relationships which may break down or which are having a negative impact on women, and support women to manage them.
• When relationships break down, care is provided to make sure both parties are safe and supported.
• Staff respond to intimate relationships between women constructively, setting out clear rules and boundaries.

 The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Regular analysis of all incidents of self-harm is used to understand trends over time and any specific, local causes.
• The analysis underpins a clear self-harm reduction and suicide prevention strategy and robust action plan. This requires action from the whole prison.
• Women help to improve the strategy and action plan by participating in a regular and well-attended multidisciplinary committee.
• Staff are trained to identify women at risk of self-harm and support them.
• The strategy helps women develop positive coping strategies to reduce self-harm.
• Uniformed staff carry anti-ligature knives at all times.
• Staff are clear about their responsibility to preserve life, when to enter a locked cell and what to do in an emergency.
• Appropriate first aid equipment is readily available and sufficient staff working on the residential units are trained to use it.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Friends, family and others involved in supporting women know how to raise concerns about their risk of self-harm or suicide and women can access these sources of support to assist their recovery.
• Women are actively involved in the development, implementation and review of individualised care and support plans which identify and deliver the actions needed to reduce their risk of suicide or self-harm and promote effective coping skills.
• Information about women at risk of suicide or self-harm is shared effectively with all staff and relevant multidisciplinary support services involved in their care.
• The quality and consistency of care provided is assured by leaders and action is taken to rectify weaknesses.
• Arrangements are in place to check on women after a care and support plan has been closed.
• Constant supervision is only used when less restrictive measures would not be effective. Any use of constant supervision is engaging, meaningful and gives access to a purposeful regime.
• All women retain their personal possessions unless there are documented exceptional circumstances evidenced by a multidisciplinary review.
• Women can receive listening support from enough suitably trained and supported peer workers.
• Women can contact the Samaritans at any time, free of charge.
• Women have access to chaplaincy, counsellors, key workers and other specialists as needed.
• Special accommodation/anti-rip clothing is only used as a last resort and attention is given to maintaining women’s health, privacy and dignity.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Investigations of any attempts by women to take their own lives are thorough, appropriately independent and identify opportunities for improvements in care which are rigorously pursued and evidenced.
• Leaders are responsible for implementing learning from deaths and attempts by women to take their own lives.
• Women’s safety is promoted by a rigorous and sustained response to recommendations resulting from all Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) investigations into deaths in custody and coroner’s inquests.
• Progress against all recommendations is regularly reviewed by leaders to confirm ongoing compliance.
• Any deaths of women while in prison are reported.

 The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• There are internal arrangements to respond to safeguarding concerns and a senior leader is actively involved in the local safeguarding adults board.
• Women at risk of abuse or neglect in or outside the prison are protected by staff who take appropriate action. Staff recognise the full range of abuse and harm and know what action to take.
• The prison has a clear understanding of when the local safeguarding adults board should be consulted.
• Where harm, abuse or neglect is alleged or suspected, prompt action is taken to protect the individual and to investigate the concerns.
• Women can access a range of support services and staff encourage women to involve their family, friends or others who may support them in their care.
• Women whose physical and mental health is likely to be adversely affected by their imprisonment are safeguarded while in prison (see Appendix I, note v).
• Women can access advocates to help them understand and give informed consent to their care.
• Women who are remanded into custody for their own protection are identified, assessed, supported and moved to a more appropriate placement as soon as possible.
• Appropriate safeguards are put in place for women sent to prison for their own protection and advice is sought from the local safeguarding adults board as required.