Every week, Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) walk into police custody suites across the country to check on the welfare and rights of people being detained. They do this quietly, voluntarily and with a sense of responsibility, giving their time to help ensure that people in custody are treated fairly, respectfully and with dignity.

Behind every visit is preparation, knowledge and support. ICVs are backed by dedicated Scheme Managers, who recruit, guide and oversee volunteers locally, helping to maintain high standards and consistent monitoring. Together, they form a vital part of the UK’s system of independent custody oversight under the Optional Protocol for the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT), safeguarding the rights and welfare of people deprived of their liberty.

At ICVA, we believe that people carrying out such important work deserve training that truly supports them – training that is accessible, engaging and designed to build confidence, not just deliver information. Over the past year, we’ve been working to transform our e-learning offer to better reflect that belief, creating a more interactive and flexible platform for our network.

So, what did improving our e-learning actually involve?

Over the past few years, we’ve offered online training through recorded sessions on our website. These were simple to access and packed full of useful knowledge, and many of you have told us that they were valuable when starting out. But as time went on, we began hearing what our members were saying, and they wanted more from their learning and training offer – more interaction, more flexibility, and a chance to really engage with the material in a way that fits around day-to-day life. ICVs wanted to learn at their own pace and revisit topics whenever they needed a refresher. Scheme Managers said it would be helpful to see who has completed training and where extra support might help, making sure everyone feels confident and prepared.

The feedback was clear. While our old training helped people get started, we could see there was an opportunity to make learning even more meaningful. So, when we launched ICVA’s Digital Transformation Strategy in November 2024, updating our e-learning was one of the first things we turned our attention to. We wanted something that reflected the needs of our members – something modern and flexible, a space where ICVs could build confidence and Scheme Managers could feel supported in guiding their teams. We looked at a range of e-learning platforms and met with different providers to see what was possible. We brought those options to our Scheme Managers’ Conference so members could see demos of what was available and share their thoughts in real time. After listening to that feedback, and despite concerns that Scheme Managers would have to sell their first born for their preferred platform, a simple increase in subscriptions meant we could choose their preferred platform for our new e-learning – Articulate.

We commissioned the platform in April 2025 and spent the first six months building and uploading core training modules. The new e-learning platform was officially launched at our Scheme Managers’ Conference in November 2025 and is now live and available to ICVs and Scheme Managers across the UK!

So, what does this new platform actually mean in practice?

For ICVs it means learning that feels more engaging and flexible. Instead of watching a video, ICVs can work their way through interactive modules that encourage active participation and reflection. They can move at their own pace, fitting training around work, family, and other commitments, as well as revisit modules when they need a refresher. The modules are designed to build confidence so when ICVs walk into a custody suite they feel informed and prepared, ready to carry out their role effectively.

For Scheme Managers, the new e-learning platform brings practical tools that make supporting volunteers easier. They can assign specific training where it’s needed and see who’s completed which modules, helping them to identify where additional guidance might be helpful. It also creates a more structured and consistent approach to training within each scheme, while still allowing flexibility at a local level.

And at ICVA, we’re still very hands on. We oversee the platform and our excellent Membership Engagement and Training Manager, Jenna, develops all the content, helping us to maintain a consistent national standard while giving local scheme managers the tools they need to support their volunteers confidently.

Since going live in November, we’ve been busy – or more so Jenna’s been busy – having published eight modules that cover core foundations to more specialist topics. Right now on our e-learning platform you can find modules on:

• Physical Disabilities in Custody
• Learning Difficulties and Disabilities in Custody
• Human Rights Overview
• Back to Basics Refresher
• Custody Record Reviewing
• Induction for New Independent Custody Visitors
• Independent Custody Visiting – Scheme Manager Induction
• Induction for ICVs Visiting TACT/NSA Detainees

Since launching in November, we’ve been really encouraged by the engagement on the platform from schemes and volunteers. To date, we have 796 learners enrolled on the platform. Between the, they have completed 767 courses and spent 688 hours learning! Even more encouraging has been some of the feedback we’ve received from scheme managers.

One scheme manager told us:

“I think it is absolutely brilliant! Not only will it make my life so much easier when it comes to training new ICVs but I also like having the insight as to who has completed, how successful they were etc.”

Another shared:

“ICVA have done a fantastic job putting together the E-Learning Platform. It’s straightforward, professional, visually appealing, and assists scheme managers greatly in terms of monitoring performance.”

The excitement about what’s yet to come is clear:

“It is fantastic and I can’t wait for all of the bitesize to be available on here.”

And a final really encouraging bit of feedback:

“I’m super happy with the E-Learning Platform and its going to completely revitalise how we deliver training!”

And this is only the beginning! We have many more modules planned and will continue to shape and develop the platform in response to member and ICV feedback, emerging issues in custody and changes in guidance and legislation.

By investing in accessible and engaging learning, we’re thrilled to be helping to build the confidence of ICVs and strengthen the oversight provided by Scheme Managers. Together, they play a vital role under the UK’s independent monitoring of places of detention under OPCAT, safeguarding the rights, welfare and dignity of people detained in police custody, and we are incredibly grateful for the commitment and care that ICVs and Scheme Managers bring to their roles every day.