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Publication - Progress report

Ministerial Accountability Board: progress report - March 2026

Published
20 March 2026
From
Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order
ISBN
9781807750541

Information collected for the March meeting of the MAB reporting on the progress made towards the completion of the various recommendations and commitments being monitored by the board. It is based on information from Scottish Government, NHS Forth Valley and the Scottish Prison Service.

Part of

View supporting documents Supporting documents

6. Theme: Information Sharing

Recommendation 7 (Katie & William FAI): Put in place a system to ensure that all written information and documentation available to a court at time of remanding or sentencing a young person is passed to SPS with that young person on admission.

RAG Ratings:
Timeline showing the reported RAG ratings for each month. In June the RAG was Amber-Green before increasing to Amber-Red in both September and December. The RAG has since reduced to Amber-Green for February and March.

Progress:

  • Complete:
    • Working group established including representatives from SPS, health, SCTS, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
    • Process implemented for sharing bail assessment reports and justice social work reports between courts and prisons.
    • Initial scoping exercise completed to identify areas for improvement, including site visits to Glasgow Sheriff Court and HMP Edinburgh.
  • Ongoing:
    • Continued monitoring of process to attain assurances from SPS and SCTS around how effectively and consistently bail assessment reports and justice social work reports are being shared.
    • Work being progressed to reconvene working group in a more formal role to support the delivery of immediate improvements which can be delivered in the short-term.
    • Consideration of strategic improvements, including options for commissioning independent research in this area to inform broader reforms.

Recommendation 8 (Katie & William FAI): Introduce a secure electronic portal for suicide risk information to be shared and accessible by prison staff.

RAG Ratings:
Timeline showing the reported RAG ratings for each month. This recommendation was Amber-Green in June and September before increasing to Amber-Red for December, February and March.

Progress:

  • Complete:
    • Communication has been issued to social work, medical staff and third sector organisations so they know how to raise a concern directly to prison staff.
    • Systems are in place in HMP & YOI Polmont which alert the first line manager or nightshift manager to this information.
  • Ongoing:
    • Pressures on SPS resource and systems as a result of the ‘Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act 2023’ and the ‘Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Act 2025’.
    • Further consideration of the full impact of the emergency release measures required to inform timescales for this work.
    • Consideration of wider digital transformation projects to ensure alignment and efficiency by delivering this recommendation in a sustainable and informed way that integrates effectively with broader plans and priorities.
    • Scoping and engagement work expected to commence in 2026 which will inform next steps.

Recommendation 11 (Katie & William FAI): Review guidance and training for information sharing between SPS and FVHB relating to suicide risk.

RAG Ratings:
Timeline showing the reported RAG ratings for each month. This recommendation was Amber-Green in June, September and December before increasing to Amber-Red for February and March.

Progress:

  • Complete:
    • Information Sharing Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding documents between SPS and NHS has been revised to ensure a continued commitment to sharing information nationally.
    • Information sharing and professional boundaries training included in all staff inductions.
  • Ongoing:
    • Final sign-off of Information Sharing Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding documents.
    • Work ongoing to strengthen training in this area and align with broader commitments including SPS’ overhaul of ‘Talk to Me’ and the Scottish Government’s ‘whole system approach’ framework[1].

Recommendation 12 (Katie & William FAI): FVHB should implement a system for sharing and acting on mental health referral information.

RAG Ratings:
Timeline showing the reported RAG ratings for each month. The RAG rating has been Blue for each month, June, September, December, February and March.

Progress:

  • Complete:
    • System review completed and all referral forms are now sent directly to admitting prisons for young people (HMP & YOIs Polmont and Stirling) and triaged daily by a band 6 Registered Mental Health Nurse.
    • Standard Operating Procedure well established and shared with all staff.
    • Where indicated, prisoners will be seen within 24 hours and full assessment undertaken which includes a documented risk assessment/care plan.

Recommendation 13 (Katie & William FAI): FVHB should provide further training to prison staff on accurate record keeping and the 'VISION' system.

RAG Ratings:
Timeline showing the reported RAG ratings for each month. The RAG rating has been Blue for each month, June, September, December, February and March.

Progress:

  • Complete:
    • The VISION system and information sharing is covered in staff inductions and delivered via one-to-one sessions with new staff.
    • Mandatory information governance training is completed annually by all staff.
    • Documentation has been strengthened in line with ‘Nursing and Midwifery Council’ record keeping standards.
    • Regular audits undertaken.
    • Redesign of staffing resources undertaken to create additional senior posts.
    • Care assurance visits occur quarterly which includes evidencing the quality and standard of documentation.

Contact

Email: oversight.implementation.unit@gov.scot

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