CAT/OP/GBR/RONPM/1 for an individualized assessment and the vulnerability and best interests of the child. The Subcommittee notes that, on that occasion, the lay observers had a very clear understanding of their preventive role, beyond a mere compliance check. 94. The Subcommittee notes, however, that a two-person visiting team lacks a multidisciplinary capacity, in particular regarding medical expertise. Furthermore, it is unclear if all lay observers have received training on preventive methodology and have the same high standards as those observed by the Subcommittee. (d) Independent Custody Visiting Association 95. The Subcommittee observed the work of Independent Custody Visiting Association during its visit to Charing Cross Police Station in London. The Association, funded by the Home Office and police and crime commissioners, leads, supports and represents police and crime commissioner-led visitor schemes designed to check on the rights, entitlements, wellbeing and dignity of detainees and works to hold Chief Constables to account.23 96. The national preventive mechanism role of the Association is to look at the skills of independent custody visitors, who are volunteers, and to ensure that they conduct visits effectively. The custody visitors have the power to access police stations, examine records relating to detention, interview detainees for the purpose of discussing their treatment and conditions, and inspect facilities, including cells, washing and toilet facilities and facilities for the provision of food. 97. While the professionalism of the visiting team of the Association is highly commendable, the Subcommittee notes that training and the multidisciplinary work of volunteers in national preventive mechanism lay bodies represent a challenge, in addition to broader issues regarding national preventive mechanism legislation, the mechanism’s financial and institutional independence and the preventive focus of its work. (e) Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland 98. The Subcommittee exchanged views about visits to police stations in Scotland with the representatives of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland while visiting Saint Leonard’s Police Station in Edinburgh. 99. The role of the Inspectorate is to monitor the state, efficiency and effectiveness of the Police Service of Scotland; thus, it carries out inspections of police custody facilities, monitoring the treatment of and conditions for detainees. Visits are unannounced and a team is composed of two to four persons, depending on the size of the facility. 100. The Subcommittee was provided with information about the planning of the visits, the methodology of visiting and recent findings. There were 40 cells in this facility, which typically receives about 10,500 detainees a year. The Inspectorate has visited it twice in the past two years. The Subcommittee notes with appreciation the Inspectorate’s knowledge of the Optional Protocol and the meticulous and competent work the Inspectorate carried out, including by reviewing video surveillance coverage, the belongings room, records, and tools used for restraint, such as spit hoods. 101. The Inspectorate representative told the Subcommittee that while the health care of detainees is of concern, the Inspectorate does not have the expertise necessary to monitor the medical aspects of detention and would need to engage with external experts in the future. (f) Recommendations relating to methodology 102. While noting that the harmonization of a great variety of methodologies across 21 bodies of the national preventive mechanism would be difficult to achieve, even in the long term, the Subcommittee recommends that the mechanism strive to ensure that all its members incorporate the requirements of the Optional Protocol into their working methods. 23 See https://icva.org.uk/media-centre/. 17