Unpaid work updated operational guidance COVID

Following meetings with Trade Unions and Senior HMPPS Management yesterday afternoon HMPPS have issued guidance (below) limiting Unpaid Work initially until 25 January. This information was issued to CRC CEOs last night.

• For the next 2 weeks (until 25 Jan) we will limit the delivery of Unpaid Work individual placements or group projects to where there is a clear societal benefit in the context of COVID recovery (examples of permissible projects include: marshalling at vaccine centres, distribution of food parcels to the vulnerable, gritting pathways).
• For any project to go ahead it must:
  • Be fully risk assessed, with an individualised assessment of any staff or service user vulnerabilities to COVID that may be relevant to the placement decision
  • Be signed off by the CRC CEO or Director as in the public benefit
  • Have the agreement of the beneficiary of the project for it to continue
  • Not require a group size of more than 4 service users
  • No travel in UPW vans or beneficiary vehicles other than in strictly controlled circumstances where the UPW vehicle can accommodate a maximum of 1 service user and a supervisor while maintaining current government guidance on social distancing.
  • All individuals must adhere to social distancing guidelines as set out by government (currently a minimum distance of 2 metres to be maintained at all times
  • Projects and placements to be as local to a service user and member of staff as possible
  • Face coverings to be worn at all times
  • Local police to be advised of planned UPW in the community
• All other projects or placements should be suspended pending further review of what safe systems of work can be put in place to deal with the current lockdown restrictions.
• Individual work carried out at home such as ‘project in a box’ and ETE can continue.