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Local Practice |
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- D. Recruitment and Conditions of Service The Recruitment Process Word of mouth recommendations remain a legitimate source of potential independent custody visitors. The selection panel should agree the format of standard questions to test suitability against the person specification referred to above and to maintain consistency and objectivity ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- E. Training Induction Training The probationary period should consist of induction training based around carrying out visits in tandem with experienced colleagues. This will involve developing and consolidating skills at the police station, as well as discussing practical issues and difficulties after visits have been completed. Again, there should be some focus on the Health and Safety aspects of the visiting process. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Continuous Training Regular meetings between groups of independent custody visitors provide an opportunity to share information and experience. ICVA produces a quarterly magazine, Visiting Times, to keep visitors informed of related issues to the process and containing articles of interest. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Evaluating Training ICVA has a training evaluation sheet to assess feedback from students who attend its initial training sessions. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- G. Working Arrangements Conducting Visits If one member of the team should not be able to attend for any reason the standard procedure should be to postpone the visit. No more than two visitors should normally attend at any one time as any more may place an excessive burden on custody staff. Local co-ordinators should roster pairs of independent custody visitors to make an agreed minimum number of visits to an allocated station or stations within a fixed time period. Visits should be unannounced and should not develop a regular pattern. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- H. Visiting Procedures at Stations Access to Detainees Police authorities and their visitors have developed cue cards that should either be read out or viewed by detainees to obtain their consent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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