 Introduction
Purpose and structure of the scheme Responsibity for the scheme Freedom of Information Act Copyright Obtaining documents and information under the publication scheme Charges Complaints Review Jargon Buster Information Classes:
Welcome to the Northumbria Probation Board Publication SchemeUnder Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Probation Board has undertaken to adopt and maintain a scheme for the publication of probation service information. This publication scheme has been designed to help you find how the Probation Board carries out its aims and objectives. As part of the National Probation Service, the Board's purpose is to be a law enforcement agency that:
Its aims are to:
The Northumbria Probation Board Publication Scheme provides a route map so you can find information held by the Probation Board quickly and easily. The purpose of this publication scheme is to make information readily available before you need to ask for it. The scheme specifies:
The Northumbria Probation Board seeks to be as open as possible, and to comply with the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (the Code). Copies of this are available free of charge from: Freedom of Information and Data Protection Unit We shall continue to meet the requirements of the Code in our
dealings with the public until the general right of access under
section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act is introduced and
the Act replaces the Code.
The Secretary to the Board within the local probation area has overall responsibility for this publication scheme. Northumbria Probation Area Tel: 0191 2815721
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 creates a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, sets out exemptions from that right and places a number of obligations on public authorities. The 42 probation boards in England and Wales are public authorities under the Act. The Department for Constitutional Affairs leads on policy related to the Act and the Codes of Practice for public authorities on compliance and records management for which the Act provides. The Information Commissioner has a duty to promote best practice under the Act and to ensure compliance. The address is: The Information Commissioner Subject to certain prescribed conditions and the exemptions set out in Sections 21 to 44 in Part II of the Act, the public have a statutory right:
The Probation Board is committed to the principles of openness
embodied in the Act and will release information to the greatest
extent possible, consistent with the public interest. The Board
will also comply with the Codes of Practice issued by the Department
for Constitutional Affairs under Sections 45 and 46 of the Freedom
of Information Act.
The material available through the publication scheme may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium, provided that it is reproduced accurately and not used in a misleading manner. Where, exceptionally, information is included which is subject to copyright or there is a restriction on its use this will be indicated in the scheme and an application for a licence to reproduce the material concerned should be made to the Secretary to the Board who will consult the copyright holders concerned.
The Probation Board routinely has meeting agendas and minutes on this site under the section Board Business. News releases are also available on this site under the News & Information Section. It is all freely available for downloading, and is in pdf format. Otherwise copies will be provided on request. Other information published in accordance with this scheme, but not available electronically, will also be sent on request. You can request published information by using our online request form or by contacting our Secretary to the Board at: Northumbria Probation Area Tel: 0191 2815721 You can view & download a version of our request form here.
Information will be provided free of charge, except where:
No charge will be made for information carried on the web site.
For documents not available on the website or for those without
Internet access, a single print-out will be available by post
from the request contact point shown above.
If you have a complaint about the operation of the publication scheme or how the Probation Board has dealt with a request for information, you should write to the Secretary to the Board at the address above.
The Probation Board will review the publication scheme annually and will monitor it regularly.
This Publication Scheme aims to make large amounts of local probation information readily accessible to the public, on a continuous basis. The Board is committed to releasing more material in the future. The Board will make available information under the following
classes:
Class: studies, research reports, statistical compilations by internal staff and external specialists that are relevant to current performance and the development of policy proposals Class: Inspectorate reports and responses, Ombudsman decisions, subject to data protection legislation. Class: explanatory background to local policy proposals and decisions Class: local guidance including hostels regimes/rules,
schedules of locally delivered Class: public consultation documents, supporting documents
and responses
Class: annual reports, business plans, board and committee meeting agendas and minutes Class: organisation charts, lists of services provided, with contact details Class: personnel policies, local recruitment policy or initiatives, leaflets, careers packs Class: explanatory material on the Probation Board's
dealings with the public, including rules, procedures, internal
guidance and administrative manuals
Class: FOI scheme Class: local complaints procedure Class: details of enforcement and compliance actions and rulings in cases that have been the subject of appeals Class: victims support leaflets, local policy/practice
statement
Class: procurement and supplier policies Class: information on specific projects including bidding opportunities, decision criteria, contract performance standards, results of regular performance reviews, Class: schedule of contracts awarded Class: policies on the awarding of grants, loans an the provision of guarantees; details of grants and loans awarded, guarantees provided, details of reviews and outcomes.
Class: speeches and presentations by local senior management
Class: area press notices/briefings Class: local media campaign documentation
Class: locally produced newsletters and similar communication.
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