Information Sheet

As you may be aware, probationers (i.e. people in the community in contact with the National Probation Service or a Community Rehabilitation Company, including those living in Probation Approved Premises), often have high health needs when compared with the general population, and may not access healthcare until they are at crisis point. Both the structure of probation, and the arrangements for commissioning healthcare for probationers have changed recently, raising questions about the healthcare provision that is available to this group.

In our NIHR RfPB funded project we are aiming to produce a ‘toolkit’ to support commissioners in understanding the health needs of probationers and how best to commission healthcare for this group. The research is important to spread knowledge of how healthcare is provided to probationers, what works and what does not work, and how improvements can be made. Ultimately, we want the toolkit to be used to improve commissioning and to measure and improve the health and quality of healthcare for probationers.

We are inviting senior staff from Community Rehabilitation Companies, the National Probation Service, Probation Approved Premises, Clinical Commissioning Groups, Public Health Departments in Local Authorities, and Mental Health Trusts across England to complete a survey so that we can:
  • Map the current ways in which healthcare is delivered to probationers – looking at what support is available, how it is provided, what works well, and where improvements could be made
  • Collect and analyse any policies, procedures, standards or guidelines about healthcare provision for probationers, or ways of working with these individuals to improve their health
  • Find out what data are already available (routinely collected) that could be used to measure and improve probationers’ health and the quality of healthcare for this group
  • Get their ideas about what our toolkit should contain, how we can share it within organisations, and how we can encourage staff to use it
What does taking part involve?
We are asking participants to complete a survey, providing information on behalf of their organisations. This can either be completed online here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DRNQLJJ, or over the telephone with a researcher. To arrange a telephone interview at a time to suit you, please contact Dr Coral Sirdifield on 01522 886950 or csirdifield@lincoln.ac.uk .

Participation is voluntary, but we would like to include as many organisations as possible so that we build an accurate picture of healthcare provision for probationers across England.

Taking part in this study should not cause any pain, discomfort, distress or changes to lifestyle for participants. All participants will benefit from receiving a copy of the toolkit at the end of the project.

We have kept the survey as brief as possible, and anticipate that it will take 10 to 30 minutes at the most to complete. Part of the survey asks participants to provide:

  • Copies of any policies, procedures, standards or guidelines that they are aware of relating to probationer health (or web-links to them/their titles, so that we can analyse these documents for common themes), and
Details of any data that their organisation routinely collects about probationers’ health and access to healthcare, and where this is recorded

These sections may be worth thinking about in advance to speed completion of the survey.

We would appreciate it if you could either complete the survey online or arrange to complete it over the telephone within the next two weeks.

A small number of survey participants from six areas of the country will also be asked if they want to take part in a short telephone interview at a later date so that we can build more detailed case studies of activities in these areas. These areas will be identified by the research team to achieve a good mix of urban and rural areas; areas with a lot of activity in terms of probationer healthcare, and areas reporting barriers to securing appropriate healthcare for probationers. Telephone interviews may also include frontline workers and/or representatives from partner organisations providing healthcare to probationers in their area. People that are selected for an interview will receive an invitation letter, information sheet and consent form, and participation is voluntary. In addition, we may contact some participants asking them to complete a very brief survey around a year after the end of the study to find out what, if any impact ,our research findings have had on their organisation and/or their practice. Again, participation will be entirely voluntary.
What will happen to the information that I provide?

The data will be stored securely in computer files that are only accessible to members of the research team or in locked metal filing cabinets for three years after the start of the study.

If you change your mind about taking part in the study, you are free to withdraw your consent before we start the data analysis (expected to begin in July 2017).

Your responses will be kept anonymous in our publications. However, it may be possible for people to identify the geographical area or organisation that a response comes from. In particular, we would like to be able to name organisations where examples of good practice are taking place, and where people are encountering barriers to ensuring accessible and appropriate healthcare for probationers in our publications so that other people can learn from these, and to discuss areas reporting barriers to healthcare provision for probationers. Information about good practice and barriers encountered will be published thematically. If we wish to name a specific organisation or detail their practice as a case study, we will share the case study with the organisation for approval first.

Study data and material may be looked at by individuals from the University of Lincoln, University of London (Royal Holloway), from regulatory authorities, or from the NHS Trust for monitoring and auditing purposes.
Who has reviewed the study?

The research has been reviewed by the National Research Committee (NOMS), Health Research Authority and an ethics committee at the University of Lincoln. Reference number: 17/HRA/1052.

Contact for further information

If you would like to discuss the study please contact Dr Coral Sirdifield (Project Lead) from the University of Lincoln on 01522 886950 or csirdifield@lincoln.ac.uk

What if something goes wrong?

In the first instance, please contact Dr Coral Sirdifield from the University of Lincoln.

If you would like to contact someone independent of the research team, please contact Professor Mo Ray, Chair of the Ethics Committee for the School of Health and Social Care on mray@lincoln.ac.uk  

If you want to make a formal complaint about the conduct of the research you should contact the Head of the Research Office, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, LN6 7TS.
What will happen to the research findings?

We will share the findings of the research, and a copy of the toolkit with everyone that takes part in the research and with other organisations with an interest in the health of probationers.

Findings will also be shared through a report, journal articles and presentations. Members of the research team will be happy to discuss the findings and how they can be used with any interested organisations.

The toolkit will also be available via the University of Lincoln and Royal Holloway websites and through various organisations. Individuals from these organisations will be asked to share findings from the project and copies of the toolkit within their organisation, and through their own networks; and to plan how any recommendations that we make can be embedded into practice.

All participants will also be offered the opportunity to shape the development of the toolkit by commenting on a draft version. 

Thank you for considering participation in our research.
 
 7% of survey complete.

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