Working with Offenders
Merseyside Community Punishment Pathfinder
Merseyside is piloting a scheme for Pro Social Modelling (PSM) and improved case management in Community Punishment & Rehabilitation Orders (CPRO) with “Think First” group programme requirements.
The pilot started in April 2001 and covers all CPROs with “Think First” (TF) requirements throughout Merseyside Area. The aim of the project is to pilot and evaluate methods for using work within Community Punishment to reinforce learning undertaken on the “Think First” group programme within a CPRO. The project is expected to run for 18 months and is managed by a single SPO who co-ordinates the work of all the CP and group programme teams.
The project is developing a range of management protocols and paper and electronic communication arrangements, and will use the Merseyside Area pilot of the electronic version of IAPS (Interim Accredited Programme Software). Particular features include an electronic contact log to which all staff involved in a case will have access, and learning diaries for both the TF and CP elements. These will facilitate the high level of co-ordination needed between the various staff working in the different component parts of the CPRO if the impact of combined orders in reducing reconviction is to maximised. The project will include all lengths of CP work from 40 to 100 hours.
Pilot cases are placed with trained supervisors. Ideally group placements will allocate no more than three offenders to each trained supervisor, but groups can be run including other non pilot cases with additional non trained supervisors. The project has required an extensive staff development programme to ensure sufficient trained CP supervisors are available at each CP unit. Supervisors first go through a modified version of the Assessment Centre process used for “Think First” staff. The training programme then includes a purpose designed two day package on problem solving skills, plus a one day event on using work situations to apply and reinforce problem solving learning carried out on “Think First”. In addition all CP staff have been trained in PSM through a two day programme. Additional top up sessions to refresh workers and include staff appointed subsequently will be provided in the future. There has also been targeting guidance for PSR writers and briefing events for other CP staff, supervising POs and “Think First” staff. Pilot supervisors are included in the local “Think First” staff reference groups.
The impact of the project requires that the CP part of the order runs during or following the problem solving part of the TF programme (from session 6 onwards) so that CP work can be used to reinforce the problem solving work of TF. Since CP work progresses faster than TF this restricts the project to those cases who can attend TF programmes run at two (daytime) sessions per week rather than one (evening) session which will preclude most cases in full time employment. It also requires a delay to the CP element at the start of the order.
Pro Social Modelling is based on the work of Trotter in Australia which suggested that the supervisory relationship could be used as an opportunity for staff to model and reinforce desired pro social attitudes and behaviours in offenders. The intention is that this will lead to an increase in compliance and a reduction in future offending.
Further information
Martin Evans, Senior Probation Officer Merseyside |
0151 666 0400 |
Steve Woodgate, Pathfinder Development Manager, National Probation Directorate |
020 7217 0684 |
Date modified: 12 July 2001
Review date: March 2002
Originator: National Probation Directorate
Last update: 16/09/03