Audit requirement for Democratic Therapeutic Communities (OPD) (2024 - 2026)

The Audit Requirement for HMPPS Democratic Therapeutic Communities (DTCs) and Therapeutic Communities Plus (TC+) in England and Wales relates to the provision of Quality Assurance Services. As part of the specification, the supplier will be required to design, develop, deliver and review an integrated standards-based audit and quality improvement process for all DTCs in HMPPS including TC+. Democratic Therapeutic Communities (DTC's) form part of the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway. They are structured, psychotherapeutically informed environments within the prison estate which provide group-based therapy within a social climate to promote positive relationships, personal responsibility and social participation for prisoners. They also address a range of needs and behaviours including interpersonal relationships, emotional regulation, self-management, and psychological well-being. DTCs are a fully immersive living learning environment. The DTC's service is to be delivered over a series of two-year cycles, incorporating a full clinical audit, using specialist auditors, within each cycle that measures each DTC's compliance with the detailed and accredited operating models for reducing reoffending. This review process will provide a measure of the quality of the intervention as a DTC and its clinical integrity; additionally, it will provide an assessment of clinical performance and report to the Correctional Services Accreditation and Advice Panel (CSAAP) in line with accreditation requirements.