Ms Úna Doyle:

As part of their progressive career development, probation officers would have in-service training. We have a dedicated team. That training focuses on the issues presenting at any given time within the context of our work. In the area of addiction and mental health, which are quite prevalent at this time, we would work alongside other service providers to develop programmes, in-service training and supports for our staff within that context. We are currently adopting and rolling out the SAOR assessment model, which is an assessment that will complement our general assessment in regard to addiction, to support staff in identifying particular areas of addiction, as addiction is one of the most significant factors that is relevant to people offending. Within that context, we move on to integrate that into what is called their case management work etc.

One of the new changes that is happening in the area of addiction, which we are examining, is the move from opiate-based to non-opiate-based problems. That is an area in which we are on a learning curve and it is one to which we need to be able to respond in terms of working with our client group.

Similarly, in the area of mental health, we would draw resources from our colleagues in the Prison Service, particularly the psychology service and also the community mental health teams, in helping us support our staff, build awareness and upskill them in that area.