Spotlight on recruitment – monthly updates
Spotlight on recruitment & retention – monthly updates
In case you missed them, here’s the recent updates to the Probation Hub in the last month.
Amy’s message 31st October
Amy Rees – Director General Chief Executive Officer HMPPS
Update message to staff – Monday 31 October
Amy’s latest update for all probation staff is now available on the intranet.
This issue covers:
- New Ministers and their portfolio
- People Survey 2022
- Free flu jabs
- Civil Service Awards
- Inter Faith and Belief Week
- Grow Your Leadership sessions
Harmonisation opt-in – next steps & letters
Harmonisation opt-in – next steps & letters
25 October 2022
Harmonisation opt-in window and process
We can now confirm further details of the harmonisation opt-in exercise, which will allow staff who remain on legacy terms to opt-in to proposals to align their terms and conditions to those of the Probation Service, and their pay to the pay scales for the part of the organisation they work in (either Probation Service, HMPPS or MoJ).
What am I opting in to?
Staff choosing to opt in will be opting in to exactly the same harmonisation proposal that was put to trade union members in the recent ballots. As you know, we were unable to reach agreement via staff ballots so impacted staff are now invited to consider opting in on an individual basis.
Full harmonisation proposals and summary document
You can also still view the engagement sessions, where we ran through the proposals in more detail as a reminder of the key points. These can be found on the events page of the Probation Hub.
How do I opt-in?
We anticipate that you will receive your opt-in letter from SSCL by e-mail on 9 November 2022. You will then have 15 days in which to respond.
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9 November – you receive your opt-in letter
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9-15 November – engagement sessions run for staff and line managers
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29 November – opt-in window closes
-
January 2023 payroll – you will receive your updated pay and any backpay
The letters will be slightly different, depending on your circumstances – based on the organisation you came from and where you are now working (either Probation Service, MoJ or HMPPS).
However, all the letters will contain:
- Details of your pay assimilation including your role, band and salary
- Any pay protection you will have.
For former Parent Organisation and Supply Chain staff, they will also have:
- Your hours of work
- Any allowances you will be due
- Confirmation of your terms and conditions, including leave entitlements and expense rates.
Your letter will tell you how to respond in order to opt-in – it is important that if you want to opt in, you respond before the deadline. If you do not wish to opt-in, you will not need to respond to the letter and will remain on your legacy arrangements.
If you have not been aligned to a band or grade since transfer, you will be given the opportunity to defer opting in until February 2023. Your letter will indicate if this applies to you. Please note you will actively need to respond, indicating your decision to defer.
Backdating annual leave
Read the Guidance on Probation Service annual leave and how to calculate backdated annual leave.
When will my pay change?
If you choose to opt-in, we are on track to process changes to your pay in time for the January payroll. This will incorporate any backpay due, including as a result of pay awards (PS, MoJ, HMPPS).
CBF and opting-in
Find out more
You can find the recordings of staff sessions on the events page. You can also view the slide packs for the sessions:
Frequently asked questions
Read the latest frequently asked questions and responses Opt in FAQs (updated 18/11/22)
Contact
If you have a question that has not been answered, please contact HandSTenquiries@justice.gov.uk.
Resettlement and pre-release practice changes
Resettlement
Resettlement and pre-release policy and practice changes
Following probation unification, resettlement activity carried out by Enhanced Through the Gate Teams (eTTG) was replaced by a combination of provision from probation and prison staff and specialist providers.
Your RPD is responsible for commissioning key resettlement service interventions from Commissioned Rehabilitative Service (CRS) providers.
These resettlement services will be either:
- embedded within prisons
- provided via a regular in-reach service
They will include:
- pre-release teams
- banking and ID staff
- prison employment leads
- CRS pre-release provision which includes:
- accommodation
- personal wellbeing (mentoring through the gate)
- women’s contracts.
While services are established, your leads can advise on availability in your local area.
Regional delivery
We flex our standard deliverables, approach and timeframes to more closely meet the diverse needs of communities and people on probation.
The content of these pages, unless specified otherwise, covers our national approach. Please speak with your manager and refer to local communications for information on delivery of services in your region.
New Pre-release and Resettlement Policy Framework
This framework replaces PI 07/2018 (TTG). It sets out the role of new pre-release teams, which will:
- identify prisoners’ immediate resettlement needs on reception
- complete any immediate actions which would support effective resettlement at end of sentence
- particularly focus on people held out-of-area supporting community offender managers (COMs) to prepare them for release
- work with those on remand
The policy is supported by pre-release and resettlement guidance which describes:
- the role of pre-release teams
- how these teams fit with offender management in custody (OMiC)
- the CRS pre-release provision to support people leaving custody
New short sentence function (SSF)
Probation practitioners will work with all people on probation with 10 months or less to serve in prison.
This additional resettlement support will enable them to be fast tracked and offered direct engagement before they are released.
Pre-release teams will support SSF by working with those on remand – sustaining community ties, where possible, and starting the plan for release.
This will ensure a better connection with a hard to reach/engage group with high levels of recidivism.
Your RPDs will implement this enhanced service as staffing allows.
Further supporting frameworks
Two further frameworks will support resettlement work.
Taken together these 3 policies will provide a complete view of staff responsibilities from the start of a community or custodial sentence to the completion of the supervision period.
The Sentence Management policy framework will:
- outline expectations for people on probation subject to both community orders, suspended sentence orders and licence supervision/post sentence supervision.
- detail the responsibilities and expectations of the probation practitioner managing the order
The Offender Management in Custody (OMiC) policy framework will:
- outline the model and process for managing cases during the custodial part of the sentence
- ensure positive joint prison offender management work with COMs continues and is enhanced
Once probation staffing allows the pre-release model to be implemented in full, and handover from prison POMs to probation practitioners (COMs) will happen at:
- 5 months pre-release – for all determinate sentenced custodial cases with 10 months plus left to serve at time of sentence
Structured Interventions – Yorkshire and the Humber
Structured Interventions
Structured Interventions are part of a suite of interventions that Probation Practitioners can refer people to if they present a low risk of recidivism and/or are unsuitable for an Accredited Programme. Structured Interventions can be delivered in a group setting or on a one-to-one basis, have a set format, and are a minimum of four sessions in length.
Structured Interventions are approved for delivery via the HMPPS Effective Interventions Panel and are assessed against seven core Correctional Services Accreditation Advice Panel (CSAAP) principles.
All regions will deliver a minimum of one Structured Intervention in the need areas set out below. Flexibility on meeting regional needs is also a key factor and delivery of any additional Structured Interventions in the three need areas will be at the discretion of the Regional Probation Director.
For an overview of the Structured Interventions available within each probation region, watch this video.
Structured Interventions: Need Areas
Attitudes, Thinking and Behaviour (ATB)
Attitudes, Thinking and Behaviour Structured Interventions aim to reduce recidivism by focusing on one or more of the following areas:
- making decisions
- solving problems
- achieving their goals
- managing the influence of anti-social relationships
- using pro-social interpersonal skills
These are skills intended to enable participants to overcome challenges and live a purposeful, pro-social lifestyle. Some ATBs will promote these skills within a specified cohort, for example 18-25 year-olds and people with either dangerous driving or drink driving offences.
Available Interventions:
Better Solutions
Better Solutions
Better Solutions highlights the importance of thinking skills and takes the approach that these are central to the development of a positive, offence free lifestyle.
It is aimed at individuals whose offending behaviour suggests they would benefit from guidance to develop attitudes and thinking that support effective decision making and problem solving.
It also seeks to maximise relevance for participants by considering the consequences of these in the context of group members’ lives.
Stepwise Driving
Domestic Abuse (DA)
Domestic Abuse Structured Interventions aim to reduce Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) recidivism by focusing on one or more of the following areas:
- Attitudes that support healthy relationships
- Aggression and anger management
- Emotional mismanagement / self-regulation
- Social skills
- Conflict Management Skills
These are skills intended to enable participants to overcome challenges in relationships and live a purposeful, pro-social lifestyle.
Available Interventions:
Stepwise Relationships
Stepwise Relationships
Stepwise Relationships is a strengths-based intervention that aims to support desistance from Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) offending by enabling participants to overcome challenges such as:
- relationship problems
- social skills deficits
- attitudes that support relationship violence
- aggression and anger
- emotional mismanagement / self-regulation
Emotional Management (EM)
Emotional Management Structured Interventions are designed to help participants explore and understand their use of violence, and to motivate them towards a violence-free life.
Participants are encouraged to develop and strengthen the resources and protective factors that will support them in reducing the likelihood of using aggressive and / or violent behaviour.
Participants are encouraged to develop realistic and meaningful personal goals that can help them live a more satisfying and pro-social life.
Available Interventions:
Stepwise Emotions
Stepwise Emotions
Stepwise Emotions is a strengths-based intervention that aims to support desistance from violent offending by enabling participants to overcome challenges such as:
- aggressive behaviour
- thinking & behaviour related to risk of serious harm to self or others
- attitudes related to risk of serious harm to self or others
Accredited programmes – Yorkshire and the Humber
Accredited programmes
Accredited Programmes are supported and informed by an evidence base and have evaluation processes embedded in their design. They are accredited by the Correctional Service Accreditation and Advice Panel (CSAAP), an international panel of subject matter experts who review each programmes’ evidence base, design, content and delivery against a rigorous set of criteria.
These programmes are only delivered by trained facilitators, primarily within a group setting for up to 12 participants. Consideration can be given to delivery on a one-to-one basis in exceptional circumstances. With the introduction of the Alternative Delivery Formats (ADF) approach as part of COVID-19 Recovery, variation to delivery in exceptional cases will be available, where required, to meet participant needs.
Programme requirements are available as a sentence of the Court under the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and fall under the statutory purposes of sentencing of reform and rehabilitation of offenders and the protection of the public. They can also be added as Licence conditions to all types of prison Licences and Post Sentence Supervision. Probation Practitioners will identify all eligible and suitable cases at the pre-sentence or pre-release stage and will propose an Accredited Programme (when there are no barriers to attendance).
HMPPS offers a suite of Accredited Programmes which attend to a range of offending-related needs of participants. Each programme has suitability criteria that is used alongside the initial risk assessment to see if an individual is in scope for a programme. This will vary slightly between programmes but will consider aspects such as the individual’s need areas and responsiveness to intervention, as well as ensuring their consent and willingness/commitment to engage in an Accredited Programme.
Delivery of Accredited Programmes is flexible, based on regional need. All regions will deliver, as a minimum:
- Thinking Skills Programme (TSP)
- Building Better Relationships (BBR)
- Sexual Offending Programmes
Click on each tab below to see the full details for each programme available in your region.
Building Better Relationships (BBR)
Building Better Relationships (BBR)
BBR is for adult male perpetrators convicted of an Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) related offence against a female partner, who present with a moderate or high risk of committing future IPV offences.
BBR has a strong skills focus and participants are provided with a range of cognitive and behavioural skills and tools to support and promote the use of positive behaviours in their intimate relationships. BBR makes use of a range of treatment approaches and techniques.
BBR is a moderate intensity cognitive-behavioural group work intervention. Its theory base reflects the growing view that IPV is a complex problem that is likely to have multiple causes. BBR is responsive to the needs of individual participants and provides opportunities to develop skills that are introduced during the programme.
Probation staff are expected to refer all individuals who meet the eligibility and suitability criteria to BBR in community sites.
Individual Requirements
Gender: Male
Age: 18+
- IPV related offence (this can be index or historical)
- Relationship problems
Social skills deficits:
- Attitudes that support relationship violence
- Stereotyped gender roles and inequality beliefs
- Hostile masculinity
- Aggression and anger
- Emotional mismanagement/self-regulation
- Jealousy
- Coercive control
- Obsessive and controlling behaviour towards a current or former partner in context of an intimate relationship
- Separation / threat of separation
- Alcohol and drug misuse
Delivery Method
BBR is comprised of 24 group and 5 individual sessions.
The Foundation Module is always delivered first and comprises of six 2.5-hour sessions which must always be completed prior to the other modules.
The remaining modules are delivered as either a closed group or in a rolling format, with each module comprising of six 2.5-hour groupwork sessions.
After each module participants have a one-hour one-to-one session with their designated facilitator, the purpose of which is to provide a bridge between modules, review learning and check progress against goals.
Thinking Skills Programme (TSP)
Horizon
iHorizon
iHorizon is a programme for men whose primary clinical need is to address internet only sexual offending, that is, where it is limited to possessing, downloading, and/or distributing indecent images of children, where there has been no contact with victims. Men with convictions involving other forms of sexual or sexually motivated offending will not be suitable for iHorizon and should be assessed for an alternative programme.New Me Strengths (NMS)
NMS has been specifically designed to be responsive to the communication styles and abilities of people with learning disabilities and learning challenges (LDC).
Healthy Identity Intervention (HII)
The Healthy Intervention Programme (HII) is a one-to-one programme that targets the social and psychological drivers of extremist offending. HII is made up of a combination of discussion, reflection, written exercises and skills practices.‘The New Me is going somewhere better… and the new horizons are not only possible but achievable’
Mr. A, Graduate of Horizon
Mr. A, Graduate of Horizon
Brochure of Probation Interventions – Yorkshire and the Humber
Brochure of Probation Interventions – Yorkshire and the Humber
Click on the links below to see the full range of probation interventions available within your region.
Accredited Programme Requirement
Delivered by trained facilitators, primarily within a group setting, these programmes are informed by evidence and accredited. They are designed to provide opportunities to change thinking, attitudes and behaviours associated with offending.
Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR)
This requirement allows for precise and effective rehabilitation activity to be tailored following a more in-depth assessment after sentence. These activities can comprise:
Community Sentence Treatment Requirements
The three treatment requirements are: Mental Health Treatment Requirements, Drug Rehabilitation Requirements (which include drug testing) and Alcohol Treatment Requirements. Those being considered must agree to engage in treatment.
Electronic Monitoring
Electronic Monitoring can be both a requirement and a way in which other requirements are enforced. They are designed to monitor an individual’s whereabouts for the purpose of demonstrating compliance with certain requirements. This can involve electronically monitored curfew, exclusion and prohibited activity requirements. The Transdermal tag can monitor alcohol abstinence.
Unpaid work
Individuals undertake unpaid work that must benefit their local community as a way to pay back to the community for their crimes.
The brochure does not cover all available community sentence requirements (for instance, residence requirement, prohibited activity requirement, non-electronically monitored exclusion, foreign travel prohibition requirement), or other sentencing options (fines, discharges and custodial sentences).
For more information about these, please visit the Sentencing Council Website.
If any information in this brochure is incorrect or needs to be updated, please email: EffectiveProbation.Practice@justice.gov.uk.
Structured Interventions – West Midlands
Structured Interventions
Structured Interventions are part of a suite of interventions that Probation Practitioners can refer people to if they present a low risk of recidivism and/or are unsuitable for an Accredited Programme. Structured Interventions can be delivered in a group setting or on a one-to-one basis, have a set format, and are a minimum of four sessions in length.
Structured Interventions are approved for delivery via the HMPPS Effective Interventions Panel and are assessed against seven core Correctional Services Accreditation Advice Panel (CSAAP) principles.
All regions will deliver a minimum of one Structured Intervention in the need areas set out below. Flexibility on meeting regional needs is also a key factor and delivery of any additional Structured Interventions in the three need areas will be at the discretion of the Regional Probation Director.
For an overview of the Structured Interventions available within each probation region, watch this video.
Structured Interventions: Need Areas
Attitudes, Thinking and Behaviour (ATB)
Attitudes, Thinking and Behaviour Structured Interventions aim to reduce recidivism by focusing on one or more of the following areas:
- making decisions
- solving problems
- achieving their goals
- managing the influence of anti-social relationships
- using pro-social interpersonal skills
These are skills intended to enable participants to overcome challenges and live a purposeful, pro-social lifestyle. Some ATBs will promote these skills within a specified cohort, for example 18-25 year-olds and people with either dangerous driving or drink driving offences.
Available Interventions:
Stepwise Problem Solving
Stepwise Problem Solving
Stepwise Problem Solving is a strengths-based intervention that aims to support desistance by focusing on areas such as:
- making decisions
- solving problems
- achieving life goals
- using pro-social interpersonal skills
Stepwise Driving
Domestic Abuse (DA)
Domestic Abuse Structured Interventions aim to reduce Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) recidivism by focusing on one or more of the following areas:
- Attitudes that support healthy relationships
- Aggression and anger management
- Emotional mismanagement / self-regulation
- Social skills
- Conflict Management Skills
These are skills intended to enable participants to overcome challenges in relationships and live a purposeful, pro-social lifestyle.
Available Interventions:
Stepwise Relationships
Stepwise Relationships
Stepwise Relationships is a strengths-based intervention that aims to support desistance from Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) offending by enabling participants to overcome challenges such as:
- relationship problems
- social skills deficits
- attitudes that support relationship violence
- aggression and anger
- emotional mismanagement / self-regulation
Emotional Management (EM)
Emotional Management Structured Interventions are designed to help participants explore and understand their use of violence, and to motivate them towards a violence-free life.
Participants are encouraged to develop and strengthen the resources and protective factors that will support them in reducing the likelihood of using aggressive and / or violent behaviour.
Participants are encouraged to develop realistic and meaningful personal goals that can help them live a more satisfying and pro-social life.
Available Interventions:
Stepwise Emotions
Stepwise Emotions
Stepwise Emotions is a strengths-based intervention that aims to support desistance from violent offending by enabling participants to overcome challenges such as:
- aggressive behaviour
- thinking & behaviour related to risk of serious harm to self or others
- attitudes related to risk of serious harm to self or others
Accredited programmes – West Midlands
Accredited programmes
Accredited Programmes are supported and informed by an evidence base and have evaluation processes embedded in their design. They are accredited by the Correctional Service Accreditation and Advice Panel (CSAAP), an international panel of subject matter experts who review each programmes’ evidence base, design, content and delivery against a rigorous set of criteria.
These programmes are only delivered by trained facilitators, primarily within a group setting for up to 12 participants. Consideration can be given to delivery on a one-to-one basis in exceptional circumstances. With the introduction of the Alternative Delivery Formats (ADF) approach as part of COVID-19 Recovery, variation to delivery in exceptional cases will be available, where required, to meet participant needs.
Programme requirements are available as a sentence of the Court under the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and fall under the statutory purposes of sentencing of reform and rehabilitation of offenders and the protection of the public. They can also be added as Licence conditions to all types of prison Licences and Post Sentence Supervision. Probation Practitioners will identify all eligible and suitable cases at the pre-sentence or pre-release stage and will propose an Accredited Programme (when there are no barriers to attendance).
HMPPS offers a suite of Accredited Programmes which attend to a range of offending-related needs of participants. Each programme has suitability criteria that is used alongside the initial risk assessment to see if an individual is in scope for a programme. This will vary slightly between programmes but will consider aspects such as the individual’s need areas and responsiveness to intervention, as well as ensuring their consent and willingness/commitment to engage in an Accredited Programme.
Delivery of Accredited Programmes is flexible, based on regional need. All regions will deliver, as a minimum:
- Thinking Skills Programme (TSP)
- Building Better Relationships (BBR)
- Sexual Offending Programmes
Click on each tab below to see the full details for each programme available in your region.
Building Better Relationships (BBR)
Building Better Relationships (BBR)
BBR is for adult male perpetrators convicted of an Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) related offence against a female partner, who present with a moderate or high risk of committing future IPV offences.
BBR has a strong skills focus and participants are provided with a range of cognitive and behavioural skills and tools to support and promote the use of positive behaviours in their intimate relationships. BBR makes use of a range of treatment approaches and techniques.
BBR is a moderate intensity cognitive-behavioural group work intervention. Its theory base reflects the growing view that IPV is a complex problem that is likely to have multiple causes. BBR is responsive to the needs of individual participants and provides opportunities to develop skills that are introduced during the programme.
Probation staff are expected to refer all individuals who meet the eligibility and suitability criteria to BBR in community sites.
Individual Requirements
Gender: Male
Age: 18+
- IPV related offence (this can be index or historical)
- Relationship problems
Social skills deficits:
- Attitudes that support relationship violence
- Stereotyped gender roles and inequality beliefs
- Hostile masculinity
- Aggression and anger
- Emotional mismanagement/self-regulation
- Jealousy
- Coercive control
- Obsessive and controlling behaviour towards a current or former partner in context of an intimate relationship
- Separation / threat of separation
- Alcohol and drug misuse
Delivery Method
BBR is comprised of 24 group and 5 individual sessions.
The Foundation Module is always delivered first and comprises of six 2.5-hour sessions which must always be completed prior to the other modules.
The remaining modules are delivered as either a closed group or in a rolling format, with each module comprising of six 2.5-hour groupwork sessions.
After each module participants have a one-hour one-to-one session with their designated facilitator, the purpose of which is to provide a bridge between modules, review learning and check progress against goals.
Thinking Skills Programme (TSP)
Horizon
Living as New Me (LNM)
Healthy Identity Intervention (HII)
New Me Strengths (NMS)
iHorizon
‘The New Me is going somewhere better… and the new horizons are not only possible but achievable’
Mr. A, Graduate of Horizon
Mr. A, Graduate of Horizon
Brochure of Probation Interventions – West Midlands
Brochure of Probation Interventions – West Midlands
Foreword
The West Midlands Probation region covers the following areas: Birmingham, The Black Country, Staffordshire and Stoke, Coventry and Warwickshire, Hereford, Shropshire and Telford, and Worcestershire.
We are very proud of the relationships we have and which we continue to build upon with the Judiciary, and all of our HMCTS and Criminal Justice Partners. These relationships allow us to continue to deliver against our key priorities of reducing reoffending and protecting the public from serious harm.
Our role in court marks the beginning of the offender journey towards rehabilitation and through the completion of pre sentence reports we are able to assess the risks posed by an individual and provide the Judiciary with a proposal regarding the most effective sentence designed to address these risks and reduce the risk of reoffending.
I am therefore delighted to introduce to you the Judicial Brochure for the West Midlands which outlines our current package of available Interventions. This includes the traditional Accredited Programmes which are delivered in a groupwork format, but also introduces a range of Structured Interventions and Approved Practitioner Toolkits which allows Probation Practitioners to deliver change work directly with people they are supervising with a RAR, addressing criminogenic needs and supporting people to live law abiding and positive lives.
I do hope you find the brochure informative and useful. As ever, we welcome your continued liasion and feedback so please continue to liaise locally with your Senior Probation Officer, or myself as the Regional Court Lead.
Elaine Stokes, West Midlands Strategic Lead for Courts, West Midlands Probation Service
Click on the links below to see the full range of probation interventions available within your region.
Accredited Programme Requirement
Delivered by trained facilitators, primarily within a group setting, these programmes are informed by evidence and accredited. They are designed to provide opportunities to change thinking, attitudes and behaviours associated with offending.
Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR)
This requirement allows for precise and effective rehabilitation activity to be tailored following a more in-depth assessment after sentence. These activities can comprise:
Community Sentence Treatment Requirements
The three treatment requirements are: Mental Health Treatment Requirements, Drug Rehabilitation Requirements (which include drug testing) and Alcohol Treatment Requirements. Those being considered must agree to engage in treatment.
Electronic Monitoring
Electronic Monitoring can be both a requirement and a way in which other requirements are enforced. They are designed to monitor an individual’s whereabouts for the purpose of demonstrating compliance with certain requirements. This can involve electronically monitored curfew, exclusion and prohibited activity requirements. The Transdermal tag can monitor alcohol abstinence.
Unpaid work
Individuals undertake unpaid work that must benefit their local community as a way to pay back to the community for their crimes.
The brochure does not cover all available community sentence requirements (for instance, residence requirement, prohibited activity requirement, non-electronically monitored exclusion, foreign travel prohibition requirement), or other sentencing options (fines, discharges and custodial sentences).
For more information about these, please visit the Sentencing Council Website.
If any information in this brochure is incorrect or needs to be updated, please email: EffectiveProbation.Practice@justice.gov.uk.
Structured Interventions – Wales
Structured Interventions
Structured Interventions are part of a suite of interventions that Probation Practitioners can refer people to if they present a low risk of recidivism and/or are unsuitable for an Accredited Programme. Structured Interventions can be delivered in a group setting or on a one-to-one basis, have a set format, and are a minimum of four sessions in length.
Structured Interventions are approved for delivery via the HMPPS Effective Interventions Panel and are assessed against seven core Correctional Services Accreditation Advice Panel (CSAAP) principles.
All regions will deliver a minimum of one Structured Intervention in the need areas set out below. Flexibility on meeting regional needs is also a key factor and delivery of any additional Structured Interventions in the three need areas will be at the discretion of the Regional Probation Director.
For an overview of the Structured Interventions available within each probation region, watch this video.
Structured Interventions: Need Areas
Attitudes, Thinking and Behaviour (ATB)
Attitudes, Thinking and Behaviour Structured Interventions aim to reduce recidivism by focusing on one or more of the following areas:
- making decisions
- solving problems
- achieving their goals
- managing the influence of anti-social relationships
- using pro-social interpersonal skills
These are skills intended to enable participants to overcome challenges and live a purposeful, pro-social lifestyle. Some ATBs will promote these skills within a specified cohort, for example 18-25 year-olds and people with either dangerous driving or drink driving offences.
Available Interventions:
Stepwise Problem Solving
Stepwise Problem Solving
Stepwise Problem Solving is a strengths-based intervention that aims to support desistance by focusing on areas such as:
- making decisions
- solving problems
- achieving life goals
- using pro-social interpersonal skills
Stepwise Driving
Domestic Abuse (DA)
Domestic Abuse Structured Interventions aim to reduce Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) recidivism by focusing on one or more of the following areas:
- Attitudes that support healthy relationships
- Aggression and anger management
- Emotional mismanagement / self-regulation
- Social skills
- Conflict Management Skills
These are skills intended to enable participants to overcome challenges in relationships and live a purposeful, pro-social lifestyle.
Available Interventions:
Stepwise Relationships
Stepwise Relationships
Stepwise Relationships is a strengths-based intervention that aims to support desistance from Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) offending by enabling participants to overcome challenges such as:
- relationship problems
- social skills deficits
- attitudes that support relationship violence
- aggression and anger
- emotional mismanagement / self-regulation
Emotional Management (EM)
Emotional Management Structured Interventions are designed to help participants explore and understand their use of violence, and to motivate them towards a violence-free life.
Participants are encouraged to develop and strengthen the resources and protective factors that will support them in reducing the likelihood of using aggressive and / or violent behaviour.
Participants are encouraged to develop realistic and meaningful personal goals that can help them live a more satisfying and pro-social life.
Available Interventions:
Stepwise Emotions
Stepwise Emotions
Stepwise Emotions is a strengths-based intervention that aims to support desistance from violent offending by enabling participants to overcome challenges such as:
- aggressive behaviour
- thinking & behaviour related to risk of serious harm to self or others
- attitudes related to risk of serious harm to self or others
Accredited programmes – Wales
Accredited programmes
Accredited Programmes are supported and informed by an evidence base and have evaluation processes embedded in their design. They are accredited by the Correctional Service Accreditation and Advice Panel (CSAAP), an international panel of subject matter experts who review each programmes’ evidence base, design, content and delivery against a rigorous set of criteria.
These programmes are only delivered by trained facilitators, primarily within a group setting for up to 12 participants. Consideration can be given to delivery on a one-to-one basis in exceptional circumstances. With the introduction of the Alternative Delivery Formats (ADF) approach as part of COVID-19 Recovery, variation to delivery in exceptional cases will be available, where required, to meet participant needs.
Programme requirements are available as a sentence of the Court under the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and fall under the statutory purposes of sentencing of reform and rehabilitation of offenders and the protection of the public. They can also be added as Licence conditions to all types of prison Licences and Post Sentence Supervision. Probation Practitioners will identify all eligible and suitable cases at the pre-sentence or pre-release stage and will propose an Accredited Programme (when there are no barriers to attendance).
HMPPS offers a suite of Accredited Programmes which attend to a range of offending-related needs of participants. Each programme has suitability criteria that is used alongside the initial risk assessment to see if an individual is in scope for a programme. This will vary slightly between programmes but will consider aspects such as the individual’s need areas and responsiveness to intervention, as well as ensuring their consent and willingness/commitment to engage in an Accredited Programme.
Delivery of Accredited Programmes is flexible, based on regional need. All regions will deliver, as a minimum:
- Thinking Skills Programme (TSP)
- Building Better Relationships (BBR)
- Sexual Offending Programmes
Click on each tab below to see the full details for each programme available in your region.
Building Better Relationships (BBR)
Building Better Relationships (BBR)
BBR is for adult male perpetrators convicted of an Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) related offence against a female partner, who present with a moderate or high risk of committing future IPV offences.
BBR has a strong skills focus and participants are provided with a range of cognitive and behavioural skills and tools to support and promote the use of positive behaviours in their intimate relationships. BBR makes use of a range of treatment approaches and techniques.
BBR is a moderate intensity cognitive-behavioural group work intervention. Its theory base reflects the growing view that IPV is a complex problem that is likely to have multiple causes. BBR is responsive to the needs of individual participants and provides opportunities to develop skills that are introduced during the programme.
Probation staff are expected to refer all individuals who meet the eligibility and suitability criteria to BBR in community sites.
Individual Requirements
Gender: Male
Age: 18+
- IPV related offence (this can be index or historical)
- Relationship problems
Social skills deficits:
- Attitudes that support relationship violence
- Stereotyped gender roles and inequality beliefs
- Hostile masculinity
- Aggression and anger
- Emotional mismanagement/self-regulation
- Jealousy
- Coercive control
- Obsessive and controlling behaviour towards a current or former partner in context of an intimate relationship
- Separation / threat of separation
- Alcohol and drug misuse
Delivery Method
BBR is comprised of 24 group and 5 individual sessions.
The Foundation Module is always delivered first and comprises of six 2.5-hour sessions which must always be completed prior to the other modules.
The remaining modules are delivered as either a closed group or in a rolling format, with each module comprising of six 2.5-hour groupwork sessions.
After each module participants have a one-hour one-to-one session with their designated facilitator, the purpose of which is to provide a bridge between modules, review learning and check progress against goals.
Thinking Skills Programme (TSP)
Horizon
iHorizon
Healthy Identity Intervention (HII)
‘The New Me is going somewhere better… and the new horizons are not only possible but achievable’
Mr. A, Graduate of Horizon
Mr. A, Graduate of Horizon
Brochure of Probation Interventions – Wales
Brochure of Probation Interventions – Wales
Click on the links below to see the full range of probation interventions available within your region.
Accredited Programme Requirement
Delivered by trained facilitators, primarily within a group setting, these programmes are informed by evidence and accredited. They are designed to provide opportunities to change thinking, attitudes and behaviours associated with offending.
Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR)
This requirement allows for precise and effective rehabilitation activity to be tailored following a more in-depth assessment after sentence. These activities can comprise:
Community Sentence Treatment Requirements
The three treatment requirements are: Mental Health Treatment Requirements, Drug Rehabilitation Requirements (which include drug testing) and Alcohol Treatment Requirements. Those being considered must agree to engage in treatment.
Electronic Monitoring
Electronic Monitoring can be both a requirement and a way in which other requirements are enforced. They are designed to monitor an individual’s whereabouts for the purpose of demonstrating compliance with certain requirements. This can involve electronically monitored curfew, exclusion and prohibited activity requirements. The Transdermal tag can monitor alcohol abstinence.
Unpaid work
Individuals undertake unpaid work that must benefit their local community as a way to pay back to the community for their crimes.
Structured Interventions – South West
Structured Interventions
Structured Interventions are part of a suite of interventions that Probation Practitioners can refer people to if they present a low risk of recidivism and/or are unsuitable for an Accredited Programme. Structured Interventions can be delivered in a group setting or on a one-to-one basis, have a set format, and are a minimum of four sessions in length.
Structured Interventions are approved for delivery via the HMPPS Effective Interventions Panel and are assessed against seven core Correctional Services Accreditation Advice Panel (CSAAP) principles.
All regions will deliver a minimum of one Structured Intervention in the need areas set out below. Flexibility on meeting regional needs is also a key factor and delivery of any additional Structured Interventions in the three need areas will be at the discretion of the Regional Probation Director.
For an overview of the Structured Interventions available within each probation region, watch this video.
Structured Interventions: Need Areas
Attitudes, Thinking and Behaviour (ATB)
Attitudes, Thinking and Behaviour Structured Interventions aim to reduce recidivism by focusing on one or more of the following areas:
- making decisions
- solving problems
- achieving their goals
- managing the influence of anti-social relationships
- using pro-social interpersonal skills
These are skills intended to enable participants to overcome challenges and live a purposeful, pro-social lifestyle. Some ATBs will promote these skills within a specified cohort, for example 18-25 year-olds and people with either dangerous driving or drink driving offences.
Available Interventions:
Stepwise Problem Solving
Stepwise Problem Solving
Stepwise Problem Solving is a strengths-based intervention that aims to support desistance by focusing on areas such as:
- making decisions
- solving problems
- achieving life goals
- using pro-social interpersonal skills
Domestic Abuse (DA)
Domestic Abuse Structured Interventions aim to reduce Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) recidivism by focusing on one or more of the following areas:
- Attitudes that support healthy relationships
- Aggression and anger management
- Emotional mismanagement / self-regulation
- Social skills
- Conflict Management Skills
These are skills intended to enable participants to overcome challenges in relationships and live a purposeful, pro-social lifestyle.
Available Interventions:
Stepwise Relationships
Stepwise Relationships
Stepwise Relationships is a strengths-based intervention that aims to support desistance from Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) offending by enabling participants to overcome challenges such as:
- relationship problems
- social skills deficits
- attitudes that support relationship violence
- aggression and anger
- emotional mismanagement / self-regulation
Emotional Management (EM)
Emotional Management Structured Interventions are designed to help participants explore and understand their use of violence, and to motivate them towards a violence-free life.
Participants are encouraged to develop and strengthen the resources and protective factors that will support them in reducing the likelihood of using aggressive and / or violent behaviour.
Participants are encouraged to develop realistic and meaningful personal goals that can help them live a more satisfying and pro-social life.
Available Interventions:
Stepwise Emotions
Stepwise Emotions
Stepwise Emotions is a strengths-based intervention that aims to support desistance from violent offending by enabling participants to overcome challenges such as:
- aggressive behaviour
- thinking & behaviour related to risk of serious harm to self or others
- attitudes related to risk of serious harm to self or others
Accredited programmes – South West
Accredited programmes
Accredited Programmes are supported and informed by an evidence base and have evaluation processes embedded in their design. They are accredited by the Correctional Service Accreditation and Advice Panel (CSAAP), an international panel of subject matter experts who review each programmes’ evidence base, design, content and delivery against a rigorous set of criteria.
These programmes are only delivered by trained facilitators, primarily within a group setting for up to 12 participants. Consideration can be given to delivery on a one-to-one basis in exceptional circumstances. With the introduction of the Alternative Delivery Formats (ADF) approach as part of COVID-19 Recovery, variation to delivery in exceptional cases will be available, where required, to meet participant needs.
Programme requirements are available as a sentence of the Court under the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and fall under the statutory purposes of sentencing of reform and rehabilitation of offenders and the protection of the public. They can also be added as Licence conditions to all types of prison Licences and Post Sentence Supervision. Probation Practitioners will identify all eligible and suitable cases at the pre-sentence or pre-release stage and will propose an Accredited Programme (when there are no barriers to attendance).
HMPPS offers a suite of Accredited Programmes which attend to a range of offending-related needs of participants. Each programme has suitability criteria that is used alongside the initial risk assessment to see if an individual is in scope for a programme. This will vary slightly between programmes but will consider aspects such as the individual’s need areas and responsiveness to intervention, as well as ensuring their consent and willingness/commitment to engage in an Accredited Programme.
Delivery of Accredited Programmes is flexible, based on regional need. All regions will deliver, as a minimum:
- Thinking Skills Programme (TSP)
- Building Better Relationships (BBR)
- Sexual Offending Programmes
Click on each tab below to see the full details for each programme available in your region.
Building Better Relationships (BBR)
Building Better Relationships (BBR)
BBR is for adult male perpetrators convicted of an Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) related offence against a female partner, who present with a moderate or high risk of committing future IPV offences.
BBR has a strong skills focus and participants are provided with a range of cognitive and behavioural skills and tools to support and promote the use of positive behaviours in their intimate relationships. BBR makes use of a range of treatment approaches and techniques.
BBR is a moderate intensity cognitive-behavioural group work intervention. Its theory base reflects the growing view that IPV is a complex problem that is likely to have multiple causes. BBR is responsive to the needs of individual participants and provides opportunities to develop skills that are introduced during the programme.
Probation staff are expected to refer all individuals who meet the eligibility and suitability criteria to BBR in community sites.
Individual Requirements
Gender: Male
Age: 18+
- IPV related offence (this can be index or historical)
- Relationship problems
Social skills deficits:
- Attitudes that support relationship violence
- Stereotyped gender roles and inequality beliefs
- Hostile masculinity
- Aggression and anger
- Emotional mismanagement/self-regulation
- Jealousy
- Coercive control
- Obsessive and controlling behaviour towards a current or former partner in context of an intimate relationship
- Separation / threat of separation
- Alcohol and drug misuse
Delivery Method
BBR is comprised of 24 group and 5 individual sessions.
The Foundation Module is always delivered first and comprises of six 2.5-hour sessions which must always be completed prior to the other modules.
The remaining modules are delivered as either a closed group or in a rolling format, with each module comprising of six 2.5-hour groupwork sessions.
After each module participants have a one-hour one-to-one session with their designated facilitator, the purpose of which is to provide a bridge between modules, review learning and check progress against goals.
Thinking Skills Programme (TSP)
Horizon
iHorizon
New Me Strengths (NMS)
Healthy Identity Intervention (HII)
‘The New Me is going somewhere better… and the new horizons are not only possible but achievable’
Mr. A, Graduate of Horizon
Mr. A, Graduate of Horizon
Brochure of Probation Interventions – South West
Brochure of Probation Interventions – South West
Click on the links below to see the full range of probation interventions available within your region.
Accredited Programme Requirement
Delivered by trained facilitators, primarily within a group setting, these programmes are informed by evidence and accredited. They are designed to provide opportunities to change thinking, attitudes and behaviours associated with offending.
Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR)
This requirement allows for precise and effective rehabilitation activity to be tailored following a more in-depth assessment after sentence. These activities can comprise:
Community Sentence Treatment Requirements
The three treatment requirements are: Mental Health Treatment Requirements, Drug Rehabilitation Requirements (which include drug testing) and Alcohol Treatment Requirements. Those being considered must agree to engage in treatment.
Electronic Monitoring
Electronic Monitoring can be both a requirement and a way in which other requirements are enforced. They are designed to monitor an individual’s whereabouts for the purpose of demonstrating compliance with certain requirements. This can involve electronically monitored curfew, exclusion and prohibited activity requirements. The Transdermal tag can monitor alcohol abstinence.
Unpaid work
Individuals undertake unpaid work that must benefit their local community as a way to pay back to the community for their crimes.
The brochure does not cover all available community sentence requirements (for instance, residence requirement, prohibited activity requirement, non-electronically monitored exclusion, foreign travel prohibition requirement), or other sentencing options (fines, discharges and custodial sentences).
For more information about these, please visit the Sentencing Council Website.
If any information in this brochure is incorrect or needs to be updated, please email: EffectiveProbation.Practice@justice.gov.uk.
Structured Interventions – South Central
Structured Interventions
Structured Interventions are part of a suite of interventions that Probation Practitioners can refer people to if they present a low risk of recidivism and/or are unsuitable for an Accredited Programme. Structured Interventions can be delivered in a group setting or on a one-to-one basis, have a set format, and are a minimum of four sessions in length.
Structured Interventions are approved for delivery via the HMPPS Effective Interventions Panel and are assessed against seven core Correctional Services Accreditation Advice Panel (CSAAP) principles.
All regions will deliver a minimum of one Structured Intervention in the need areas set out below. Flexibility on meeting regional needs is also a key factor and delivery of any additional Structured Interventions in the three need areas will be at the discretion of the Regional Probation Director.
For an overview of the Structured Interventions available within each probation region, watch this video.
Structured Interventions: Need Areas
Attitudes, Thinking and Behaviour (ATB)
Attitudes, Thinking and Behaviour Structured Interventions aim to reduce recidivism by focusing on one or more of the following areas:
- making decisions
- solving problems
- achieving their goals
- managing the influence of anti-social relationships
- using pro-social interpersonal skills
These are skills intended to enable participants to overcome challenges and live a purposeful, pro-social lifestyle. Some ATBs will promote these skills within a specified cohort, for example 18-25 year-olds and people with either dangerous driving or drink driving offences.
Available Interventions:
Stepwise Problem Solving
Stepwise Problem Solving
Stepwise Problem Solving is a strengths-based intervention that aims to support desistance by focusing on areas such as:
- making decisions
- solving problems
- achieving life goals
- using pro-social interpersonal skills
Domestic Abuse (DA)
Domestic Abuse Structured Interventions aim to reduce Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) recidivism by focusing on one or more of the following areas:
- Attitudes that support healthy relationships
- Aggression and anger management
- Emotional mismanagement / self-regulation
- Social skills
- Conflict Management Skills
These are skills intended to enable participants to overcome challenges in relationships and live a purposeful, pro-social lifestyle.
Available Interventions:
Stepwise Relationships
Stepwise Relationships
Stepwise Relationships is a strengths-based intervention that aims to support desistance from Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) offending by enabling participants to overcome challenges such as:
- relationship problems
- social skills deficits
- attitudes that support relationship violence
- aggression and anger
- emotional mismanagement / self-regulation
Developing Assertiveness for Women in Relationships (DAWN)
Emotional Management (EM)
Emotional Management Structured Interventions are designed to help participants explore and understand their use of violence, and to motivate them towards a violence-free life.
Participants are encouraged to develop and strengthen the resources and protective factors that will support them in reducing the likelihood of using aggressive and / or violent behaviour.
Participants are encouraged to develop realistic and meaningful personal goals that can help them live a more satisfying and pro-social life.
Available Interventions:
Stepwise Emotions
Stepwise Emotions
Stepwise Emotions is a strengths-based intervention that aims to support desistance from violent offending by enabling participants to overcome challenges such as:
- aggressive behaviour
- thinking & behaviour related to risk of serious harm to self or others
- attitudes related to risk of serious harm to self or others
FIRS For Women
Accredited programmes – South Central
Accredited programmes
Accredited Programmes are supported and informed by an evidence base and have evaluation processes embedded in their design. They are accredited by the Correctional Service Accreditation and Advice Panel (CSAAP), an international panel of subject matter experts who review each programmes’ evidence base, design, content and delivery against a rigorous set of criteria.
These programmes are only delivered by trained facilitators, primarily within a group setting for up to 12 participants. Consideration can be given to delivery on a one-to-one basis in exceptional circumstances. With the introduction of the Alternative Delivery Formats (ADF) approach as part of COVID-19 Recovery, variation to delivery in exceptional cases will be available, where required, to meet participant needs.
Programme requirements are available as a sentence of the Court under the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and fall under the statutory purposes of sentencing of reform and rehabilitation of offenders and the protection of the public. They can also be added as Licence conditions to all types of prison Licences and Post Sentence Supervision. Probation Practitioners will identify all eligible and suitable cases at the pre-sentence or pre-release stage and will propose an Accredited Programme (when there are no barriers to attendance).
HMPPS offers a suite of Accredited Programmes which attend to a range of offending-related needs of participants. Each programme has suitability criteria that is used alongside the initial risk assessment to see if an individual is in scope for a programme. This will vary slightly between programmes but will consider aspects such as the individual’s need areas and responsiveness to intervention, as well as ensuring their consent and willingness/commitment to engage in an Accredited Programme.
Delivery of Accredited Programmes is flexible, based on regional need. All regions will deliver, as a minimum:
- Thinking Skills Programme (TSP)
- Building Better Relationships (BBR)
- Sexual Offending Programmes
Click on each tab below to see the full details for each programme available in your region.
Building Better Relationships (BBR)
Building Better Relationships (BBR)
BBR is for adult male perpetrators convicted of an Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) related offence against a female partner, who present with a moderate or high risk of committing future IPV offences.
BBR has a strong skills focus and participants are provided with a range of cognitive and behavioural skills and tools to support and promote the use of positive behaviours in their intimate relationships. BBR makes use of a range of treatment approaches and techniques.
BBR is a moderate intensity cognitive-behavioural group work intervention. Its theory base reflects the growing view that IPV is a complex problem that is likely to have multiple causes. BBR is responsive to the needs of individual participants and provides opportunities to develop skills that are introduced during the programme.
Probation staff are expected to refer all individuals who meet the eligibility and suitability criteria to BBR in community sites.
Individual Requirements
Gender: Male
Age: 18+
- IPV related offence (this can be index or historical)
- Relationship problems
Social skills deficits:
- Attitudes that support relationship violence
- Stereotyped gender roles and inequality beliefs
- Hostile masculinity
- Aggression and anger
- Emotional mismanagement/self-regulation
- Jealousy
- Coercive control
- Obsessive and controlling behaviour towards a current or former partner in context of an intimate relationship
- Separation / threat of separation
- Alcohol and drug misuse
Delivery Method
BBR is comprised of 24 group and 5 individual sessions.
The Foundation Module is always delivered first and comprises of six 2.5-hour sessions which must always be completed prior to the other modules.
The remaining modules are delivered as either a closed group or in a rolling format, with each module comprising of six 2.5-hour groupwork sessions.
After each module participants have a one-hour one-to-one session with their designated facilitator, the purpose of which is to provide a bridge between modules, review learning and check progress against goals.
Thinking Skills Programme (TSP)
Horizon
iHorizon
Healthy Identity Intervention (HII)
New Me Strengths (NMS)
‘The New Me is going somewhere better… and the new horizons are not only possible but achievable’
Mr. A, Graduate of Horizon
Mr. A, Graduate of Horizon
Brochure of Probation Interventions – South Central
Brochure of Probation Interventions – South Central
Foreword
Reducing reoffending remains a top priority for the South-Central Probation Service as we contribute to cutting crime, making communities safer and preventing people from becoming victims.
To achieve this fundamental priority, we must reduce reoffending and address the factors that increase the risk of criminal behaviour. We will ensure consequences for those who fail to comply, whilst improving rehabilitation, resettlement, and supervision of prison leavers in the community.
In the last 12 months, we have carried out a major organisational transformation programme, from which we have delivered significant changes and a new operating model for Probation Service delivery. Part of this has involved expanding our range of services and interventions to address reoffending and the needs of people on probation. For this reason, I am pleased to present this Judicial Brochure exhibiting our offer of rehabilitation services in the South-Central region.
Geoff Davis, Head of Operations South Central Probation Service
I am pleased to support the launch of the Judicial Brochure 2022-23.
In my role as Regional Court and Enforcement Lead, I shall be working closely with Senior Probation Officers and their teams, as well as Heads of Probation Delivery Units, to ensure we provide expert, timely advice to support effective and safe sentencing.
Probation teams are central to supporting justice enabling the court to set the best possible conditions to drive a successful rehabilitative journey whilst ensuring the public are protected.
I will work collaboratively with the courts and am keen to strengthen relationships and engagement in order to achieve the necessary outcomes. I look forward to meeting with sentencers and HMCTS colleagues across the area and will always welcome any feedback.
Alex Hyslop, Strategic Court Lead, South Central Probation Service
Click on the links below to see the full range of probation interventions available within your region.
Accredited Programme Requirement
Delivered by trained facilitators, primarily within a group setting, these programmes are informed by evidence and accredited. They are designed to provide opportunities to change thinking, attitudes and behaviours associated with offending.
Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR)
This requirement allows for precise and effective rehabilitation activity to be tailored following a more in-depth assessment after sentence. These activities can comprise:
Community Sentence Treatment Requirements
The three treatment requirements are: Mental Health Treatment Requirements, Drug Rehabilitation Requirements (which include drug testing) and Alcohol Treatment Requirements. Those being considered must agree to engage in treatment.
Electronic Monitoring
Electronic Monitoring can be both a requirement and a way in which other requirements are enforced. They are designed to monitor an individual’s whereabouts for the purpose of demonstrating compliance with certain requirements. This can involve electronically monitored curfew, exclusion and prohibited activity requirements. The Transdermal tag can monitor alcohol abstinence.
Unpaid work
Individuals undertake unpaid work that must benefit their local community as a way to pay back to the community for their crimes.
The brochure does not cover all available community sentence requirements (for instance, residence requirement, prohibited activity requirement, non-electronically monitored exclusion, foreign travel prohibition requirement), or other sentencing options (fines, discharges and custodial sentences).
For more information about these, please visit the Sentencing Council Website.
If any information in this brochure is incorrect or needs to be updated, please email: EffectiveProbation.Practice@justice.gov.uk.
Structured Interventions – North West
Structured Interventions
Structured Interventions are part of a suite of interventions that Probation Practitioners can refer people to if they present a low risk of recidivism and/or are unsuitable for an Accredited Programme. Structured Interventions can be delivered in a group setting or on a one-to-one basis, have a set format, and are a minimum of four sessions in length.
Structured Interventions are approved for delivery via the HMPPS Effective Interventions Panel and are assessed against seven core Correctional Services Accreditation Advice Panel (CSAAP) principles.
All regions will deliver a minimum of one Structured Intervention in the need areas set out below. Flexibility on meeting regional needs is also a key factor and delivery of any additional Structured Interventions in the three need areas will be at the discretion of the Regional Probation Director.
For an overview of the Structured Interventions available within each probation region, watch this video.
Structured Interventions: Need Areas
Attitudes, Thinking and Behaviour (ATB)
Attitudes, Thinking and Behaviour Structured Interventions aim to reduce recidivism by focusing on one or more of the following areas:
- making decisions
- solving problems
- achieving their goals
- managing the influence of anti-social relationships
- using pro-social interpersonal skills
These are skills intended to enable participants to overcome challenges and live a purposeful, pro-social lifestyle. Some ATBs will promote these skills within a specified cohort, for example 18-25 year-olds and people with either dangerous driving or drink driving offences.
Available Interventions:
Better Solutions
Better Solutions
Better Solutions highlights the importance of thinking skills and takes the approach that these are central to the development of a positive, offence free lifestyle.
It is aimed at individuals whose offending behaviour suggests they would benefit from guidance to develop attitudes and thinking that support effective decision making and problem solving.
It also seeks to maximise relevance for participants by considering the consequences of these in the context of group members’ lives.
Stepwise Driving
Domestic Abuse (DA)
Domestic Abuse Structured Interventions aim to reduce Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) recidivism by focusing on one or more of the following areas:
- Attitudes that support healthy relationships
- Aggression and anger management
- Emotional mismanagement / self-regulation
- Social skills
- Conflict Management Skills
These are skills intended to enable participants to overcome challenges in relationships and live a purposeful, pro-social lifestyle.
Available Interventions:
Help
Help
Help takes a preventative approach to working with men where there are known domestic abuse concerns where the behaviours do not meet the threshold for BBR.
We seek to guard against escalation by intervening to prevent an increase in seriousness and/ or frequency of concerning behaviours.
The Programme provides a model for healthy relationships, positive gender role models and offers guidance on the development of attitudes, self- management and skills to support healthy relationships.
Emotional Management (EM)
Emotional Management Structured Interventions are designed to help participants explore and understand their use of violence, and to motivate them towards a violence-free life.
Participants are encouraged to develop and strengthen the resources and protective factors that will support them in reducing the likelihood of using aggressive and / or violent behaviour.
Participants are encouraged to develop realistic and meaningful personal goals that can help them live a more satisfying and pro-social life.
Available Interventions:
Managing My Emotions (MME)
Managing My Emotions (MME)
Managing My Emotions (MME) is an anger management programme for individuals whose offending behaviour is linked to a struggle to manage their anger.
Anger is viewed as a normal and healthy emotion that has many layers and that varies in intensity but is identified as an emotion that unchecked can lead to destructive and harmful behaviours.
The approach of MME is to recognise anger in its many shades as symptomatic of unhappiness and dissatisfaction. It focuses on recognising and understanding what is being experienced, identifying causes for this and from there, focuses developing strategies to manage situations and the related emotions effectively.