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Interventions is the part of the National Probation Service that addresses offending behaviour. Interventions covers three main aspects of this:
  • punishment (unpaid work and curfew orders)
  • rehabilitation (programmes and Education, Training & Employment)
  • public protection (electric monitoring, approved premises and programmes for sex offenders and high risk offenders)

In order for re-offending to be reduced, it is necessary for different interventions to be put in place together.

'What Works' is an evidence based approach that the National Probation Service have used since 1998. Recent evidence shows that when interventions are used to address a range of offending-related needs, they can result in reduced re-offending rates which is one of the National Probation Service's main aims.

What Works

‘What Works’ is a generic term used by the National Probation Service to demonstrate that an intervention has been evidenced to be effective.

In 1998, certain interventions (such as Think First, ASRO and DIDs) were accredited as a method of demonstrating their effectiveness in reducing offending. Participation of the ‘What Works’ programmes has been shown to cut re-offending by a third.

‘What Works’ is based on the following principles:
  • Risk - the risk of re-offending and the risk of serious harm is assessed to determine the amount of intervention required in each case.
  • Needs - intervention is targeted to address the factors (both personal and social) which may lead to re-offending.
  • Responsivity - determining what method of intervention will be of most benefit based on the offender’s gender, culture and learning styles.

The programmes that an offender has to attend are determined by these principles.

The Court can sentence an offender to participate in a programme and/or specified activity as part of a Community Order rather than imposing a custodial sentence.