National Preventive Mechanism Sixth Annual Report 2014–15 HMI Prisons fulfils the role of NPM coordination and this function is performed with the purpose of: • promoting cohesion and a shared understanding of OPCAT among NPM members; • encouraging collaboration and the sharing of information and good practice between UK NPM members; • facilitating joint activities between members on issues of common concern; • liaising with the SPT, other NPMs and other relevant international human rights bodies; • sharing experience and expertise between the UK NPM and NPMs in other states; • representing the NPM as a whole to government and other stakeholders in the UK; • preparing the annual report and other publications. The coordination function, activities and governance of the NPM are overseen by a steering group of five NPM members who meet regularly and are representative of members in all four nations of the UK and the different remits of organisations that make up the NPM. NPM steering group The NPM steering group supports decisionmaking between business meetings, and develops the NPM business plan and proposals to members. It is chaired by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (England and Wales). The steering group met three times during the year (May, September, February). In November 2014, ICVA ended its term on the steering group and was replaced by HMIC; in March 2015, HIW was replaced by CSSIW. As of March 2015, the NPM steering group membership was as follows: 12 • Nick Hardwick, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (HMI Prisons) • Theresa Nixon, Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) • David Strang, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland (HMIPS) • Kevin Barker, Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) • Judith Million, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC). NPM sub-groups In October 2014, a sub-group formed of the Scottish members of the UK NPM was established (see Appendix I). The group aims to coordinate NPM activities in Scotland, provide support to NPM members, raise the profile of the work of the NPM and improve liaison with the Scottish Government. It is chaired by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland. In November 2014, NPM members established a mental health network as a sub‑group of the wider NPM business meeting. The network brings together the different members who have a specialist interest in areas relevant to mental health detention in the UK, bringing a new opportunity for organisations with responsibilities for the monitoring and protection of people in health and social care detention settings to work collaboratively on issues with specific mental health impacts. It is chaired by the Care Quality Commission (see Appendix II). The NPM sub-group focused on children and young people in detention, chaired by the Children’s Commissioner for England, continued to serve as a mechanism for NPM members to exchange information and intelligence, and to consider joint work on issues affecting detained children.