Previous Article
News
Research: Supervision Skills for Probation Practitioners
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation for England and Wales, recently published new research conducted by Prof. Peter Raynor: ‘Supervision Skills for Probation Practitioners’. This short report was produced at the request of Dr Robin Moore, Head of Research in The HM Inspectorate of Probation. It is partly based on a longer article in the European Journal of Probation in 2018 co-authored by Peter Raynor and Maurice Vanstone (‘What matters is what you do: the rediscovery of skills in probation practice’, European Journal of Probation 10(3) 199-214), and draws particularly on the Jersey Supervision Skills Study which received the CEP’s Research Award in 2016. The development of practice skills appears to be a promising focus for evidence-based improvement in the effectiveness of probation, and we hope this will encourage further research and practical projects.
The use of evidence-based practice in the attempt to improve probation’s impact on reoffending became a mainstream policy following the ‘Underdown report’ produced by HM Inspectorate of Probation in 1998. Initial efforts were largely based on cognitive-behavioural group programmes. However, most people supervised by probation officers experience supervision as one-to-one contacts most or all of the time, and some of those who participate in programmes also need preparation, support and follow-up on an individual basis. The identification of practitioners’ skills in individual supervision as an important component in effective practice came late to England and Wales in comparison with work done in other countries. This ‘Academic Insight’ offers a brief summary of key findings from research on probation staff’s practice skills (known in North American research as Core Correctional Practices) and considers some of the practical implications. In the well-known Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) framework for effective practice, research on skills contributes to understanding responsivity, which has until recently received less research attention than risks and needs.
Please click on the link to read ‘Supervision Skills for Probation Practitioners’ by Peter Raynor.
Related News
Keep up to date with the latest developments, stories, and updates on probation from across Europe and beyond. Find relevant news and insights shaping the field today.
Probation in Europe, Technology
Have Your Say: EU Call for Evidence on the Digitalisation of Justice (2025–2030)
18/08/2025
The European Commission has opened a Call for Evidence on the Digitalisation of Justice: 2025–2030 European Judicial Training Strategy.
Reading corner
Criminal Justice
Parole Futures
18/08/2025
At a time when many parole systems are experiencing considerable strain, the aims of this collection are twofold: first, to encourage systematic and critical reflection on the rationalities, institutions and practices of parole. Second, to think big, and pose ambitious ‘what if’ questions about the possible futures of parole and prison release. Offering novel insights from Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America, this collection builds the case for, and then showcases, a ‘way of doing’ parole research that is global in outlook, interdisciplinary in approach and unapologetically normative in character.
New
Probation in Europe
New Vodcast Episode: Prof. Bernd Maelicke on The Prison-Dilemma
12/08/2025
The 13th episode of Division_Y features an in-depth conversation with Prof. Bernd Maelicke, one of Germany’s most respected voices in prison and probation reform.
New
Probation outside Europe
CEP Ambassador Steve Pitts Receives Prestigious Japanese Honour
05/08/2025
We are pleased to share that CEP Ambassador Steve Pitts has been awarded the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette by the Government of Japan. The honour was officially presented on 25th July 2025 at a formal ceremony held at the Japanese Ambassador‘s residence in London, hosted by the Japanese Ambassador.
New
CEP Events
Mark Your Calendars: Exciting Probation Events Ahead
30/07/2025
As the season continues, we’re looking ahead to a dynamic line-up of events across Europe. From specialised workshops to international training and conferences, there’s something valuable for everyone working in probation and beyond.
New
Probation in Europe
New Vodcast Episode: Tobias Merckle on Free Forms of Juvenile Detention
12/07/2025
The 12th episode of Division_Y features an engaging discussion with Tobias Merckle, a social worker and social entrepreneur from Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.