The NPM Secretariat coordinates, and undertakes the day-to-day work associated with, the UK NPM. This involves promoting a shared understanding of OPCAT among NPM members, encouraging collaboration and the sharing of information and good practice, and facilitating joint activities on issues of common concern, primarily through Task and Finish Groups. The NPM Secretariat represents the NPM as a whole to Government and other UK stakeholders. Externally, the UK NPM Secretariat liaises with the SPT, the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) (opens in a new tab), and other international human rights bodies. The Secretariat also shares experience and expertise with NPMs in other states.
The primary responsibilities of the Secretariat include:
- Setting the strategic direction of the UK NPM in consultation with the Steering Group and Members;
- Setting annual operating plans of the UK NPM in consultation with the Steering Group and Members;
- Setting and managing annual budgets of the UK NPM;
- Managing the website, media and social media relating to the UK NPM;
- Preparing the annual report and other publications;
- Drafting positions, reports and statements in consultation with the Steering Group and Members as appropriate;
- Representing the UK NPM at meetings with external stakeholders in consultation with the Chair and Steering Group;
- Other matters appropriate to the running of the UK NPM as decided by the Steering Group.
Currently, the UK NPM Secretariat is made up of:
- Sam Gluckstein, Head of UK NPM Secretariat;
- Jane Kilpatrick, UK NPM Secretariat Officer;
- Chelsea Keenan, NPM Secretariat Officer, Scotland;
- Serife Suleyman, NPM Secretariat Assistant.