Offender Management Bill

moved Amendment No. 7: 7: Clause 11, page 7, line 21, at end insert— ““( ) The probation boards and probation trusts shall not exercise their powers under section 3(2) to make contractual or other arrangements with another person unless they are satisfied that that person has complied with any guidelines published under subsection (1). ( ) The Secretary of State shall not exercise his powers under section 3(4)(a) to make contractual or other arrangements with another person unless the Secretary of State is satisfied that that person has complied with any guidelines published under subsection (1).”” The noble Lord said: My Lords, this is a clarifying and tidying-up amendment, relating to the clause which states that the Secretary of State shall have regard to the need to secure that guidelines have the same effect in relation to every provider. The amendment seeks guidance particularly on training, because a number of small voluntary organisations have expressed concern that the implications of the training that is required to carry out functions for which they may be contracted need to be carefully thought through. Do they need qualifications in order to apply for a contract or can qualifications be gained after a contract has been awarded and before work starts? The clauses that we discussed earlier mention the requirement placed on the Secretary of State to issue guidelines that apply to everyone involved in delivery, whether they are public, private or not-for-profit. It is important that the many small voluntary organisations whose vital role in the management of offenders in a variety of activities has been mentioned many times during this debate are clear about the qualifications their staff will need in order to qualify for contracts. I beg to move.