Agency Roles

Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI)

Key Focus: Risk Assessment & Risk Management (of perpetrators of exploitation); rehabilitation, safeguarding, supporting recovery and rehabilitation of individuals under their supervision affected by exploitation.

The PBNI plays a vital role in the community supervision of individuals who have been the victim of exploitation as a child and with potential perpetrators of exploitation While not a frontline investigative or prosecutorial agency, PBNI contributes significantly to safeguarding and disruption through assessment, supervision, and multi-agency collaboration. PBNI ensures that exploitation is recognised within offending behaviour, and that responses are trauma-informed and focused on recovery and reintegration.

PBNI also supports the wider safeguarding system by identifying concerns during supervision, contributing to multi agency risk assessment and risk management processes and promoting understanding of exploitation among justice professionals. In working with potential perpetrators of exploitation, PBNI contributes to ensuring children and young people are not further harmed by exploitation

Key roles and Responsibilities

  • Assessment and supervision of young people (16 years and over) involved in offending, including those affected by exploitation
  • Identification of exploitation indicators during the pre-court assessment process, case management and supervision
  • Contribution to multi-agency safeguarding and risk management processes
  • Promotion of trauma-informed approaches within justice settings
  • Support for recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration of young adults who may have been victims of exploitation
  • Information sharing and multi-agency working with statutory and voluntary partners
  • Contribution to disruption of exploitation.

Significant input or role

Early Identification and Assessment

PBNI may identify signs of exploitation during pre-court assessments and supervision and refer concerns to safeguarding partners.

Safeguarding Structures and Thresholds

PBNI plays a key role in ensuring safeguarding is embedded in risk assessments and supervision case plans, and contributes to multi-agency safeguarding panel forums.

Multi-Agency Collaboration

PBNI works closely with PSNI, Youth Justice Agency, Trusts, and others to share information, manage risk, and support safeguarding and disruption efforts (with both victims and perpetrators). They contribute to the formulation of risk management plans within the Public Protection Arrangements for Northern Ireland (PPANI).

Disruption of Exploitation

Through supervision and risk management, PBNI helps disrupt exploitation by addressing offending linked to exploitation, supporting behavioural change and where necessary and proportionate, imposing external controls.

Coordination of Information

PBNI contributes by sharing relevant information and participating in strategy discussions and case reviews.

Supporting role

Early Preventative Work

PBNI contributes through CSE awareness raising and staff training and development.