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Home » Your CPS » Your Local CPS » London » Business Plan 2003-2004

CPS London Business Plan 2003-4

Introduction to CPS London

CPS London is the largest and most diverse CPS Area employing around 1200 staff and making up over 17% of the Service as a whole. Unlike any other Area, CPS London receives work from two major police forces, the Metropolitan Police and the City of London Police, as well as British Transport Police and other specialised forces such as the Royal Parks Constabulary.

We aim to have a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Women make up 65% of our work force and we have 18% of our staff working part time. Thirty eight per cent (38%) of our lawyers and 43% of our administrative staff come from a minority ethnic background.

Geographically CPS London spans all the London Boroughs from Croydon in the south to Enfield in the north and from Bexley in the southeast to Hillingdon in the west.

As from the 7th April 2004 there will be a new structure for CPS London headed by the CCP, Dru Sharpling. We will re-structure into three geographical sectors - North, West and South. In addition the Central Sector will deal with special casework, local legal policy issues and the Central Criminal Court Trial Unit, making four sectors in total. Each new sector will be headed by one of the current ACCPs until the new geographical posts have been confirmed. A Sector Business Manager at Level E will assist the ACCPs in the geographical sectors, and their roles will reflect the relationship that exists between the CCP and Area Business Manager in other Areas. It is anticipated that these posts will be confirmed by summer 2003.

North Sector is led by Howard Cohen ACCP and deals with work in our Snaresbrook, Southwark and Wood Green Trial Units and 6 Criminal Justice Units taking cases from the boroughs of Barnet, Enfield Haringey, Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Camden, Islington, as well as the central London boroughs Hackney and Tower Hamlets.

South Sector is led by David Levy, Acting ACCP and deals with work in our Croydon, Inner London, Middlesex and Woolwich Trial Units as well as five Criminal Justice Units dealing with cases from the City of London and the boroughs of Croydon, Bromley and Bexley, Southwark, Lambeth, as well as the central London boroughs of Westminster, Lewisham and Greenwich.

West Sector is led by Nazir Afzal, ACCP and deals with work in our Blackfriars, Harrow, Isleworth and Kingston Trial Units as well as five Criminal Justice Units dealing with cases from the boroughs of Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon, Ealing, Hounslow (including Heathrow Airport) Wandsworth, Richmond-upon-Thames, Kingston-upon-Thames, Merton, Sutton as well as the central London boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham.

The Area Secretariat, led by Alex Machray, the Area Business Manager, is located in Holborn and provides strategic, operational and project management support and advice for the all the Area’s management and staff. The Area Secretariat will also be restructured taking into account the needs of the newly formed CPS London Area.

The central London boroughs referred to above also deal with Inner London Youth work.

We are currently located in 11 CPS buildings across the Capital. Our accommodation strategy includes securing accommodation for our staff as part of our Glidewell collocation programme as well as in support of our priority to establish charging centres in 20 London boroughs by December this year.

The plan for CPS London for 2003-4 sets out what we will do to contribute to the aims of the criminal justice system as a whole, the delivery of the PSA targets and The CPS objectives. In support of this we aim to develop and maintain a highly skilled and motivated workforce that is:

  • Accountable - for our casework decisions and our conduct of cases in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
  • Visible - in the Crown Court, where our Higher Court Advocates will conduct serious cases, and in the magistrates’ courts through our Crown Prosecutors and Designated Caseworkers.
  • Influential - by providing high quality practitioner input to developments in the criminal justice system.

The structure of the plan

The plan is divided in to three sections as follows: -

  • Section 1 - sets out the PSA objectives and targets together with the specific national and Area targets. (Further targets will be set as the year progresses.)
  • Section 2 - sets out the priorities and enabling actions that the Area aims to deliver as our contribution to the delivery of the PSA objectives.
  • Section 3 - focuses on the training and development of our staff.

Section 1

NATIONAL AND AREA TARGETS THE GOVERNMENT’S PUBLIC SERVICE AGREEMENT (PSA) OBJECTIVE 1

Improve the delivery of justice by increasing the number of crimes for which an offender is brought to justice, to 1.2 million by 2005-6; with an improvement in all CJS areas, a greater increase in the worst performing areas and a reduction in the proportion of ineffective trials.

National and Area Targets linked to PSA objective 1

1. Unsuccessful outcomes: To reduce year on year the proportion of unsuccessful outcomes in defendant cases in: The magistrates' courts/The Crown Court.

Area outturn 2002-3 Quarter 4

26.0%/34.2%

National outturn 2002-3

21.6% / 25.5%

National target 2003-4

7 % reduction

CPS London Target 2003-4

7% reduction / 7% reduction

2. Persistent Offenders: To increase the number of persistent offenders brought to justice Street Crime Initiative – contributing to the Narrowing the Justice Gap (NJG) Action Plan

National target 2003-4

increase 5% - 15%

CPS London Target 2003-4

5% ( i.e. 444 more offences)

3. Discharged committals (links with Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) target

Area outturn 2002-3 Quarter 4

1372

National target 2003-4

892

CPS London Target 2003-4

35% reduction

4 .Cracked trials in the Crown Court:

Area outturn 2002-3 Quarter 4

11%

National outturn 2002-3

13.3%

National target 2003-4

3% reduction

CPS London Target 2003-4

3% reduction

5.Ineffective Trials in the Crown Court (LCJB target is a 10% increase in effective trials)

Area outturn 2002-3 Quarter 4

10.8%

National outturn 2002-3

9%

National target 2003-4

3 % reduction

CPS London Target 2003-4

3% reduction

6. Cracked trials in the Magistrates’ Court

Area outturn 2002-3 Quarter 4

11%

National target 2003-4

3% reduction

CPS London Target 2003-4

3% reduction

7.Ineffective trials in the Magistrates’ Court London Criminal Justice Board (LCJB) target is a 10% increase in effective trials)

Area outturn 2002-3 Quarter 4

13.7%

National target 2003-4

3% reduction

CPS London Target 2003-4

3% reduction

8. Discontinuance – linked to MPS target To reduce the number of cases discontinued Crown Court / Magistrates Court

Area outturn 2002-3 Quarter 4

19.4%/13.6%

National outturn 2002-3

13.4% /14.5%

CPS London Target 2003-4

15% reduction / 15% reduction

9. Custody Time Limits To achieve a nil failure rate

CPS London Target 2003-4

nil failure rate

National And Area Targets

The Governments Public Service Agreement (PSA) Objective 2

Improve the level of public confidence in the Criminal Justice System, including increasing that of ethnic minority communities, and increasing year on year the satisfaction of victims and witnesses, whilst respecting the rights of defendants.

10. Quality of review: Initial and continuing review decisions comply with the tests set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors

National target 2003-4

95%

CPS London Target 2003-4

95%

11. Quality of Disclosure: Compliance with CPIA primary and secondary disclosure responsibilities

National target 2003-4

Primary 85% Secondary 80%

CPS London Target 2003-4

Primary 85% Secondary 80%

12. Persistent Young Offenders: To maintain the average time from arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders.

Area outturn 2002-3 Quarter 4

61 days

National target 2003-4

71 days

CPS London Target 2003-4

71 days

13. Proceeds of Crime: To double the criminal assets recovered, starting with £34m recovered in criminal cases dealt with by The CPS in 2004/05 (and with possible longer term improvements in performance on asset recovery to be set in consultation through the Home Office-let Asset Recovery Committee)

National target 2003-4

£34 million by 2004/05

CPS London Target 2003-4

£6 million

14. Direct Communication with Victims: Timeliness - DCV letters sent within 5 days of decision Compliance - % of letters sent in appropriate cases.

Area outturn 2002-3 Quarter 4

54% (1/4 only)

National target 2003-4

70% to be sent

CPS London Target 2003-4

90% to be sent

15. Complaints: Reply to complaints within 10 days

Area outturn 2002-3 Quarter 4

73%

National outturn 2002-3

88%

National target 2003-4

95%

CPS London Target 2003-4

90%

16. MPs Correspondence: Reply to MPs correspondence within 15 days

National outturn 2002-3

94

National target 2003-4

95%

CPS London Target 2003-4

90%

17. Payment of witness expenses within 10 days of receipt of claim

Area outturn 2002-3 Quarter 4

98.8%

National target 2003-4

100%

CPS London Target 2003-4

100%

18.Payment of Fees to Counsel GFS % paid within 20 days from receipt of claim.

Area outturn 2002-3 Quarter 4

45%

National outturn 2002-3

71%

National target 2003-4

100%

CPS London Target 2003-4

100%

National And Area Targets

The Government's public Service agreement (PSA) Objective 3.

Increasing value for money in the criminal justice system by 3% per year

19.Effective use of HCAs:

Number of HCA sessions:

  • SMT
  • Unit Heads
  • Prosecutors

Area outturn 2002-3 Quarter 4

Total HCA sessions 525

CPS London Target 2003-4

  • SMT - 1 per month
  • Unit Heads -2 per month
  • Prosecutors - 2 per week

20. Effective use of APs: Time spent on core activity

CPS London Target 2003-4

80%

21. In-house lawyer sessions:Average number of sessions per Sector per week

Area outturn 2002-3 Quarter 4

3.4

CPS London Target 2003-4

6 sessions

Section 2

CPS LONDON PRIORITIES

Priority 1: To contribute to the implementation of the London Criminal Justice Board (LCJB) “Narrowing the Justice Gap Action Plan 2003/4” to bring 6183 more offences to justice in 2003/4

(Contributes to the delivery of PSA 1)

Enabling actions to achieve the priority

  • Working with our criminal justice partners through the Executive Secretariat of the LCJB (chaired by CPS) we will contribute to the implementation of the Narrowing the Justice Gap (NJG) action plan with particular emphasis on:
  • Persistent Offenders
  • Victims and witnesses
  • Increasing the percentage of effective trials
  • Joint Performance Management with the police (focusing on warrants)
  • Measure successful outcomes in domestic violence, rape, and race and hate crime cases with a view to improving our effectiveness in these categories

Owner ; CCP David Levy, Howard Cohen, ABM Project Manager: ABM Jo Crossley, Elizabeth Joslin, Tony Barnard

  • Street Crime Initiative
  • We will continue to contribute to the targeting of particular types of crime and provide a “premium service” for bringing street crime offenders to justice in London
  • Use of the J-Track system to track and monitor cases that fall within the criteria.
  • Compliance with the “Premium Service” protocol

Owner: David Levy Project Manager: Jo Crossley

Targets dates and milestones

  • J-track system to be in place by 1/04/03
  • NJG action plan by 1/04/03

Measure

Key performance Measures relating to unsuccessful outcomes.

Priority 2: To deliver Pre-Charge Advice Shadow Service for London. (Contributes to the delivery of PSA 1)

Enabling actions to achieve the priority

  • In partnership with the Metropolitan, City and British Transport Police Service develop and implement shadow charging centres in 20 London boroughs and the City of London by 31 December 2003
  • Deliver locally based training to duty prosecutors and administrators
  • Monitor and learn from the results of our pre-charge advice service
  • Influence an improvement in the quality and timeliness of files from the police through joint performance management and a commitment to compliance with the manual of guidance

Owner: Lesley Burton Project Manager: Alan Jeffery

Targets dates and milestones

  • Charging centres in 20 London boroughs by 31st December 2003 and a further 12 centres in 2004
  • Measures for the charging centres to be developed and integrated into the National performance system by 31/07/03

Measure

Charging centres operational by target date.

Priority 3: To consolidate effective partnerships with other CJS agencies and community groups (Contributes to the delivery of PSA 1)

Enabling actions to achieve the priority

  • CPS/Metropolitan Police Joint Steering Group
  • Develop local delivery agreements, initiatives and Measures with particular focus on ineffective trials
  • Review inter-agency processes on case preparation and case management
  • Identify and participate in joint training initiatives
  • Establish a joint communications strategy to publicise partnership messages

Owner: ABM Project Manager:Lesley Burton, Anne Mc Guinness

  • London Criminal Justice Board (LCJB)
  • Develop joint initiatives in support of criminal justice policy with particular emphasis on reducing ineffective trials, prisoner processing and establishing secure e-mail links
  • Develop LCJB Executive Secretariat and Narrowing the Justice Gap sub-groups

Owner ;ABM

  • Borough Criminal Justice Boards
  • Unit Heads participation in local Criminal justice Boards delivering London CJS strategy locally

Owner: ACCP's Project Manager Unit Heads

Target dates and milestones

  • Joint programme office to be set up by 30/6/03
  • LCJB Business Plan to be delivered by 1/4/03
  • Borough Criminal Justice Group Delivery Plan – date to be fixed by LCJB
  • Communications strategy to be agreed and implemented by 30/03/04

Measures

  • Number of joint projects
  • Number of local delivery agreements through LCJB
  • Targets set through NGJ action plan
  • Number of Unit Heads participating in BCJBs reported at Quarterly Review
  • Number of joint training initiatives Stakeholder surveysPriority

Priority 4: To achieve compliance in all Units with established and agreed casework systems (Contributes to the delivery of PSA 1

Enabling actions to chieve the priority

  • Establish Compliance Control Board to manage a change control mechanism and review the need for a support team (Owner CCP Project MGR. Peter Stekelenburg, Milan Bollegala)
  • Ensure that protocols and systems are compatible with the Compass Integrated Casework Management System (ICMS) (Owner ABM Project MGR.Milan Bollegala)
  • Introduce an electronic “task check list” that is complementary to the Integrated Case Management System (ICMS) to assist process compliance.(Owner ACCP's Project MGR. Paul Markwick)
  • Establish a support team for the Units to maintain and develop systems and protocols

Target dates and milestones

  • Compliance Control Board in place by 01/04/03
  • Task check list to be introduced by 1/04/03
  • Unit Heads to certify compliance at each Quarterly Review

Measure

  • Compliance team report.
  • Task check list evaluation.
  • Quarterly review.

Priority 5: The establishment of a centralised unit dealing with traffic cases in London (Contributes to the delivery of PSA 1)

Enabling actions to achieve the priority

We will work with the Metropolitan Police and Atos KPMG Consulting on a project to look at options for an improved, efficient and consistent traffic service across London. (Owner ABM Howard Cohen)

Target dates and milestones

Project implementation plan by 11/05/03

Measure

To be developed

Priority 6: To assess and improve upon the level of public confidence in CPS London (Contributes to the delivery of PSA 2)

Enabling actions to achieve the priority

Initiate a stakeholder survey to include CJS partners, witnesses, staff media, and minority groups Establish an independent advisory group to inform and advise SMT Further develop our community engagement initiatives Develop and promote our community engagement database for use by CPS staff Work with the LCJB NJG Action Plan (Owner CCP Project MGR. Peter Stekelenburg, Milan Bollegala)

Target dates and milestones

Results of stakeholder survey to be reported by 30/04/03 Independent advisory group in place by 01/06/03 Database to be available for use by CPS Staff by 01/06/03

Measure

Stakeholder questionnaire response. Feedback from advisory group. Number & feedback from community engagement events. Use of database.

Priority 7: To assess and improve upon the level of confidence victims and witnesses have in the service provided by CPS London and to ensure that systems are in place to enable prosecution witnesses to give their best evidence in court. (Contributes to the delivery of PSA 2)

Enabling actions to achieve the priority

  • Contributing to the implementation of the LCJB Narrowing the Justice Gap plan. (See Priority 1)
  • Keep witnesses informed of case developments through the Victims and Witness Focus Desk as part of the shadow charging scheme (see Priority 2)
  • Review the DCV process and prepare a report Appropriate applications for Special Measures are made

(Owner Alex Machray, lesley Burton, Howard Cohen)

Target dates and milestones

  • Baseline Measures to be set as part of the NJG plan by 30/08/03
  • Review of DCV process report to be submitted by 31/03/04
  • Victims and Witness Focus Desk to roll-out in line with the Charging Scheme

Measures

  • Reduction in ineffective trials
  • Feedback from victims and witnesses through stakeholder surveys when available
  • Compliance with the national monitoring system
  • Compliance with local and national protocols on special Measures

Priority 8: To improve the level of confidence in CPS London as an organisation that is committed to the elimination of discrimination and the promotion of equality, diversity and good relations. (Contributes to the delivery of PSA 2)

Enabling actions to achieve the priority

  • Develop methods to monitor analyse and report the results of the new internal complaints procedure
  • Work with our criminal justice partners to increase the number of successful outcomes in cases of domestic violence, rape, and hate crimes
  • Implement the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000
  • Implement the recommendations of the Diversity monitoring Project and HMCPS
  • Inspectorate review of cases with a racial element
  • Set up centralized sector based monitoring system to improve our reporting of racial incident cases (RIMS) and establish a RIMS co-ordinator network
  • Review workforce data insofar as it reflects the London community and implement recommendations
  • Develop a communication method to share workforce data information with staff
  • Actively support the International Year of the Disabled through sector events and conferences with a focus on recruitment of staff with disabilities and awareness of issues that affect disabled people
  • Publicity through our ENABLE network
  • Produce a CPS information leaflet for the public

(Owner ABM Nazir Afzal Project MGR.Yvette Williams)

Target dates and milestones

  • Results of new complaints procedure to be reported on quarterly
  • Systems in place to implement the Diversity Monitoring Project by 30/06/03
  • Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 to be monitored quarterly
  • RIMS monitoring system and co-ordinator network to be set up by 30/06/03
  • Review workforce data quarterly
  • Three events in CPS London recognizing the International Year of the Disabled by 31/03/04
  • Information leaflet to be distributed by 30/04/03

Measure

  • Results from complaints procedure Staff survey
  • Workforce data compared to London community data
  • Public confidence baseline measures to be established from stakeholder survey Evaluation and feedback from events

Priority 9: To improve the image of CPS London as presented by the media (Contributes to the delivery of PSA 2)

Enabling actions to achieve the priority

  • Develop and implement a communications strategy to include; resourcing a pro-active media campaign; implement house style/branding for Area CPS London; regular management performance reports; establish an Area wide system for collating notable case results ad good news stories
  • Establish baseline Measures
  • Initiate a project for 3-year plan to introduce CPS London e- communications including an intranet and web site

(Owner CCP /ABM Project MGR.Anne McGuinness)

Target dates and milestones

  • Strategy to be in place by 30/04/03
  • Project proposal for e-communications and intranet site to be set up by 30/09/03

Measure

Baseline Measures to be established.

Priority 10: We will provide assurance that cases are reviewed in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutor

Enabling actions to achieve the priority

  • Compliance with the Casework Quality Review procedure
  • Establish a casework board
  • Develop the Pan-London agreement on disclosure
  • Train Unit Heads on the revised Joint Operational Instructions (JOPI)
  • A project to centralise the handling of cases involving complaints against police officers to demonstrate transparency and independence

(Owner Rene Barclay)

Target dates and milestones

  • JOPI to be issued in June 2003
  • Project in place by 30/04/03 and centralisation of cases by 30/06/03

Measure

  • Feedback from seminar Compliance with JOPI
  • Project report
  • Casework results

Priority 11: Implementation of the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Contributes to the delivery of PSA 2)

Enabling actions to achieve the priority

  • Establish a discrete unit through the Special Casework Unit to deal with the enforcement of confiscation orders according to emerging need
  • Train all lawyers and caseworkers
  • Appoint lawyer and casework “champions” to provide advice and guidance to Area staff
  • Recruit additional lawyers and caseworkers according to emerging need

(Owner Rene Barclay)

Target Dates and Milestones

All lawyers and caseworkers to be trained by 30/06/03.

Measure

Effective implementation Asset recovery

Priority 12: To implement successfully the Compass Integrated Case Management System (ICMS) in CPS London by December 2003 (Contributes to the delivery of PSA 3)

Enabling actions to achieve the priority

  • Project plan to roll-out ICMS to include:
  • Review of the structure of CPS London to ensure that ICMS fully supports the business
  • PI Training Team to raise awareness of PI finalisation through ICMS
  • Preparation and training of staff
  • Additional resources to assist in the transition from SCOPE

(Owner Nazir Afzal Project MGR Milan Bollegala)

Target dates and milestones

  • Full implementation by December 2003
  • All operational staff to be IT literate before attending ICMS training course
  • All operational staff to be trained in the use of ICMS by December 2003

Measure

  • All staff competent to use ICMS
  • Task list generated by ICMS
  • Use of e-mail with police
  • Impact on key performance targets

Priority 13: To make effective and cost efficient use of our Higher Court Advocate in the Crown Court and our Designated Caseworkers in the magistrates’ court (Contributes to the delivery of PSA 3)

Enabling actions to achieve the priority

  • Agree Area and local protocols through Borough Criminal Justice Boards
  • Contribute to national and local initiatives on listing practices Influence listing practices through the LCJB, The Greater London Magistrates Court Authority, local Justice’s clerks and Court User Groups
  • Contribute to national and local initiatives on listing practices
  • Recommend a London wide framework for magistrates’ court listing

(Owner ABM)

Target dates and milestones

Area protocols in place by 31/12/03

Measure

  • Number of HCA sessions
  • Number of AP sessions
  • Impact on national and Area key performance targets

Priority 14: To develop an accommodation strategy that is appropriate to our business and takes into account the requirements of our criminal justice partners (Contributes to the delivery of PSA 3)

Enabling actions to achieve the priority

  • Review our accommodation strategy taking in to account:
  • Charging centres
  • Co-location of our Units with police
  • Establishing a permanent presence in Crown Court buildings
  • Setting up of the Special Casework Unit
  • Setting up of Joint Programme Office
  • The re-structuring of the Area into new sectors
  • Setting up of the Central Criminal Court Trial Unit

(Owner ABM Project MGR.Peter Stekelenburg )

Target dates and milestones

Strategy to be in place by 01/04/03

Measure

All staff accommodated according to business needSection

Section 3 PEOPLE – TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OF OUR STAFF

Area Objective: To provide staff with the relevant skills and knowledge to contribute effectively to the delivery of The CPS London objectives and priorities thus providing a high quality prosecution service that meets the needs of the people of London.

AREA TARGETS

Objectives

22. Staff in Post against target

Prosecutor;

Caseworker/ Administrator

Targets to be set

23. PAR's Completed by area deadline

CPS London Target 2003 -4 85% by 31/05. 100% by 31/07

24 Personal Development Plans completed to deadline

CPS London Target 2003 -4 85% by 31/05. 100% by 31/07

25 Probation reports completed on time

CPS London Target 2003 -4 100% by due date

26 Sick absence:

CPS London Target 2003 -4: to be set

27 Turnover rate

CPS London Target 2003 -4: to be set

28 Investors in People Accreditation by 2006

CPS London Target 2003 -4: 2006

29 Number of training days per member of staff

CPS London Target 2003 -4: 3.6 days

Priority 15: To develop a CPS London Board that will take forward CPS values and behaviours and set the direction and professional standards for the Area

Enabling actions to achieve the priority

  • Implement the recommendations of the review into the re-organisation of the Area
  • Appoint a non-executive director to work alongside SMT
  • SMT to mirror the roles of the DPP and the Chief Executive
  • Delivery of executive coaching for the senior team
  • Initiate a project feasibility study into addressing corporate culture
  • Use of consultants to target leadership and development of teams

Target dates and milestones

  • Create a shadow senior management structure by 01/4/03
  • Appointment of “Sector ACCPs” by 07/04/03
  • Re-structuring of the Area to be completed by 30/06/03
  • Re-organisation of the Area Secretariat to be completed by 30/06/03
  • Appointment of non-executive director by 30/06/03
  • Project report into corporate culture by 30/06/03
  • Appointment of consultants by 30/09/03

Measure

  • Staff survey
  • Customer survey
  • Consultants report recommendations and training.
  • Policy in place.
  • Number of rewards/recognition.
  • Project report.

Priority 16: To put in place early warning systems to identify those Units not meeting Area objectives and provide training and support interventions to improve performance and delivery

Enabling actions to achieve the priority

  • Design and implement a set of baseline processes and Measures that will provide an early warning signal to Area managers
  • Provide assistance through the change/business improvement team
  • Feedback through Quarterly Review Process
  • Use of Sector risk registers as part of the business planning process to identify counter Measures to identified risks

(Owner ABM Project MGR.Peter Stekelenburg )

Target dates and milestones

Baseline Measures to be in place by 1/04/03

Measure

Performance improvement where identified.

Priority 17: To develop a Service Level Agreement to reflect CPS London’s Human Resource strategy so as to recruit and develop a highly skilled and motivated workforce

Enabling actions to achieve the priority

Review:Implement recommendations of review of HR services provided through the London Service Centre

(owner ABM)

Target dates and milestones

Review: Recommendations to be implemented by 31/07/03

Enabling actions to achieve the priority

Recruitment: Structured recruitment campaigns for lawyers to match business needs

Rolling recruitment campaigns for caseworkers and administrators to match business needs

Target dates and milestones

Recruitment: Recruitment in response to business needs e.g. charging scheme

Measure

  • SIP against target Absence rates Probation reports
  • Enabling actions to achieve the priority
  • Induction
  • Develop an effective induction campaign for all staff
  • Review and develop induction process for new lawyers and utilise Area Advocacy Trainers
  • Target dates and milestones
  • Induction
  • All staff first induction event by 30 September 2003
  • New lawyer induction review report by 30 September 2003
  • Measure Staff turnover rate
  • Absence rates
  • Feedback from events
  • Enabling actions to achieve the priority
  • Training and Development
  • Provision of administrative support to the national training programme
  • Raise awareness of learning and development needs through the Area Training Committee
  • Implement the Learning and Development Programme for all staff to support career and succession planning
  • Project to develop a staff rotation policy
  • Develop and promote a recognition and reward policy for Area staff
  • Project management training to support our improvement programme
  • A project to assess the feasibility of a CPS London College of Prosecutors
  • Training for HCAs to qualify them to present cases in the Crown Court
  • Project to test the feasibility of a “chambers” approach to the development of Higher Court Advocates (HCAs)
  • Establish a mentoring scheme and establish a pool of mentors
  • Conferences for caseworkers and APs
  • Design a B2 induction and development programme
  • Develop a training package that will assist staff to deliver desk training
  • Target dates and milestones
  • Training and Development
  • Learning and development programme implemented 31/03/04
  • Project Implementation Document into rotation policy to be completed by 30/06/03
  • Recognition and reward policy to be in place by 30.09/03
  • Project feasibility study into London College of Prosecutors by 30/06/03
  • HCAs trained for London for 2003-4
  • “Chambers” project to be set up by 30/09/03
  • Mentoring scheme to be in place by 1/12/03 and pool of mentors by 31/03/04
  • B2 induction and development event by 30/04/03
  • Measure Casework quality results Feedback from events Staff survey results

Priority 18: To establish the Special Casework Unit within CPS London to provide specialist advice and guidance

Enabling actions to achieve the priority

  • Review and update the existing Special Casework Unit Business Plan and formalize the setting up of the Unit
  • Recruitment of support staff
  • Work with HR to develop a rotation policy to facilitate training and development of staff into and out of the Special Casework Unit
  • The recruitment and attachment to the Special Casework Unit of Senior Caseworkers to manage complex cases and train other caseworkers

(Owner Rene Barclay)

Target dates and milestones

  • SCU Business Plan in place by April 2003 and SCU to be set up by 31/05/03
  • SCU rotation policy in place by 30/09/03
  • Recruitment of Senior Caseworkers by 30/09/03

Measures

  • Feedback from advice, training and guidance given
  • SCU customer survey
  • Impact on casework results