National Preventive Mechanism Annual Report 2009–10 The UK’s NPM is made up of the following bodies: England and Wales Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons Independent Monitoring Boards Independent Custody Visiting Association8 Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Care Quality Commission Healthcare Inspectorate Wales Children’s Commissioner for England Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales Office for Standards in Education Scotland Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland Scottish Human Rights Commission Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care Northern Ireland Independent Monitoring Boards (Northern Ireland) Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority Northern Ireland Policing Board Independent Custody Visiting Scheme Coordination Following designation of the NPM, it was agreed by members that Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) would carry out the coordination and communication function of the NPM. The purpose of coordination is to promote cohesion among the NPM members, to facilitate a collective understanding of OPCAT and its requirements, and to encourage collaboration and shared learning among a wide-ranging and large group of organisations. At the same time, however, the independence of individual members is respected, as is their ability to set their own priorities for detention monitoring. This role is performed by an NPM coordinator, a person appointed by HMIP to liaise with all members of the NPM, to share information with them and provide support on policy and human rights issues. While based at HMIP, the coordinator represents the interests of all members, liaises with the SPT, other NPMs and other external stakeholders, prepares the annual report and organises seminars and joint training. Through working with each of the NPM members, the coordinator is able to gain an overview of all detention monitoring in the UK, identifying common issues of concern or gaps in protection. 8 Although the Independent Custody Visiting Association is listed as an organisation operating in England and Wales, its membership includes independent custody visitors who operate in Scotland. 10