A research conducted by the University of Cambridge in collaboration with KSS CRC Research and Policy Unit on ‘Remote Supervision- Getting the Balance Right’, also published in the Probation Quarterly 2021 points out that the Covid-19 pandemic brought considerable changes to probation practice.
The HMPPS Exceptional Delivery Model required staff and service users to interact in different ways, including making much larger use of the telephone to keep in touch. A small team of researchers (from the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Community Rehabilitation Company Research Unit and the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge) began to explore case managers’ views of the advantages and drawbacks of different methods of remote communication.
The research uncovered that the telephone call was the most frequent form of remote supervision used by practitioners. Video calls were not employed to contact service users (this was a matter of CRC policy) but were regularly employed for meetings with other professionals. Text messages and emails were also commonly employed (the former for quick and direct communication, the latter for passing on key health/employment documents) but had their problems. Research participants pointed to strengths and limitations of telephone supervision.
The research concluded that supervision cannot solely rely on telephone contact. However, there is a place for telephone supervision. The research also highlighted the importance of professional discretion and use of video calls as well as developing the use of internet resources for supervision. Lastly, it discussed the use of flexible working with greater use of remote supervision.
In conclusion communication and human interaction are vital to probation supervision. This research highlights ways in which remote supervision hinders supervision and obstructs the process of building rapport and trust. However, it also suggests that there is a place for the telephone and internet resources as options available to improve supervision.
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Interventions Alliance has published a new evaluation of a Hub coordinated on behalf of police forces in the south of England, focused on tackling violence against women and children through a whole family approach. The Hub supports victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse and works across policing, health and social services.
New updates from the European Commission highlight key priorities for judicial training in Europe, alongside new tools supporting transparency and access to data.
Today, 25 November, marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls. It is a global reminder, recognised by UNESCO and the wider international community, of the urgent need to prevent violence, support those affected by it, and strengthen collective action. The day also opens the 16 Days of Activism, a worldwide campaign that calls for sustained engagement to end all forms of violence against women and girls.
From 18-20 November 2025, 15th Plenary Meeting of the Council for Penological Co-operation took part in Council of Europe, Strasbourg. CEP was represented by President Annie Devos, Vice-Presidents Danijela Mrhar Prelic (PC-CP member) and Daniel Danglades and Secretary General Jana Spero Kamenjarin.
The CEP Expert Group on Mental Health met on 19 November 2025 to continue its work on developing a European mental health training curriculum for probation officers. Since last year, the group has been working intensively and meticulously to produce a solid first version of the curriculum.
CEP has released the first cross-European study examining stress, burnout, and morale among probation staff. The report was produced by Professor Charlie Brooker, Professor Karen Tocque, Professor Ioan Durnescu and Liliana Lupsica, whose combined expertise in public health, criminology, and organisational analysis provides an important contribution to our understanding of well-being in probation work.
