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.
New
Others
New DG JUSTICE Newsletter on funding opportunities & funded projects is out.
03/11/2025
The latest edition of the DG JUSTICE Newsletter is now out, packed with funding opportunities and funded projects!
New
Uncategorized
Newsletter October 2025 out now
30/10/2025
CEP’s latest newsletter is out now! Articles on the CEP conference: Public Perception of Probation, Expert Network Meeting on Education and Training, CEP Calls for EM expert group, CEP awards and more.>> Read here
Recap
CEP Events, Projects
Special recognition for the Afforestation and Coordination Project
29/10/2025
During the CEP Awards Ceremony on October 15, CEP also granted a special recognition to the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses of Türkiye for the Afforestation and Coordination Project.
New
CEP members
Invitation to submit a proposal to conduct an evaluation within the CEP work programme
28/10/2025
We would like to invite you to nominate a candidate (see point 1) to submit a proposal to conduct an evaluation within the CEP work programme.
New
CEP Events
CEP presents the four winners of the CEP Awards 2025
27/10/2025
During the General Assembly aand CEP Conference on Gender-Based Violence in Vienna, Austria, CEP presented the four CEP Awards to its winners With the awards, CEP would like to celebrate outstanding contributions to probation within Europe. We were glad to receive all the impressive submissions of which the following winners are chosen. Congratulations!
New
CEP Board
Meet the CEP Board
22/10/2025
The General Assembly takes place every three years. The last General Assembly was held on 15 October 2025 in Vienna, Austria.
The CEP Board has a President, two Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer and a maximum of eight ordinary Board members. The General Assembly elects the President, two Vice-Presidents and a minimum of three and a maximum of five other board members from among its members. Three members may be appointed by the Board from among the full or associated members to ensure that the specific expertise and interests are represented. The Board appoints the Treasurer, who can be a board member or an ex-officio board member of which an explanation is given in the internal regulations.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.