Implementation is an important element for the success of any guideline[8]. National implementation can take place once HiiL and the Committee of Experts have ensured the recommendations contained in the guideline are desirable and based on high-level quality evidence. Moreover, the support and willingness from formal as well as informal institutions working on solving justice problems is crucial to the success of the countrywide implementation.
Each guideline and each country needs its own implementation plan that takes into consideration the local needs. We already know from the medical sector that new guidelines take several years to be implemented and become common practice. In the justice sector this can be even harder as a paradigm shift needs to happen to convince justice workers and institutions to work with a guideline approach.
Guideline implementation is facilitated by the support of local leaders. Justice workers in influential roles are involved from the beginning of the guideline development process (in the CoE and the early workshops). By involving them early and creating ownership they are asked to commit to working with the guidelines and promoting an evidence-based approach to justice within their respective organisations.
It is important to involve all those who have contributed to the development of the guideline in the CoE as well as in the workshops. They can be champions of the evidence-based approach and be drivers of the implementation process. Feedback is collected every 3 months to understand how/if the guideline is being used and whether there are any potential barriers or nottle-necks that need to be addressed.