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.
Recap
Probation in Europe, Projects
CoPPer Project Final Conference: A Celebration of Collaboration, Impact and Inspiration
10/11/2025
On 6 November 2025, the CoPPer Final Project Conference took place at Het Nutshuis in The Hague, the Netherlands, marking a milestone in European cooperation and innovation in the field of probation. The event brought together 66 participants representing jurisdictions from Germany, Ireland, United Kingdom, Portugal, Netherlands, Romania, Estonia, as well as Türkiye and Japan. A clear sign of the growing international interest in the CoPPer project and its outcomes.
Recap
Probation outside Europe
CEP at the 27th ICPA Conference in Istanbul
05/11/2025
CEP SG Jana Spero Kamenjarin attended the 27th International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) Conference, held in Istanbul, Türkiye. The conference brought together professionals, researchers, and policy experts from around the world to share insights and best practices. There were approximately 700 participants and the conference program consisted of 151 presentations.
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.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.