Moving Forward : Making Changes (MF:MC)

MF:MC is a cognitive behavioural programme designed to assist participants to lead a satisfying life that does not involve harming others. The programme is based upon an up-to-date review of the evidence from the research and practice literature. It is for adult male offenders who have committed sex offences.

Due to the individualised nature of treatment, it targets all types of sexual offending behaviour. It is for individuals that are medium or high risk of sexual re-offending, their level of risk in line with revised version of the RM2K and Stable and Acute 2007 (SA07).

It was designed jointly by the Scottish Prison Service and Community Justice Operational Practice Unit of the Scottish Government. It was accredited by the Scottish Advisory Panel on Offender Rehabilitation (SAPOR) in 2014. It was delivered in custody and community across Scotland.

In 2018, Ormston and Mulholland completed an evaluation of MF: MC. Although the programme’ accreditation had lapsed, it was communicated to all sites that the programme should continue to be delivered in line with accredited standards as several sites within the community still deliver it.

cjsw@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

01467 532803

Aberdeenshire Joint Sex Offender Project have responsibilities across Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City Local Authorities for the assessment and delivery of programmes such as Moving Forward Making Changes.

The JSOP Team provide a statutory service to men convicted in Court and sentenced to a Community Payback Order with a programme requirement for men subject to license conditions following a period in Custody. Referrals to the team therefore come from the Court and the Parole Board.

The estimated time for completion of MFMC would be between 2-3 years. When assessing and making recommendations to the Court, the team always asks for a 3-year Programme Requirement to allow sufficient time for completion of the programme. There is no maximum time that a man could be open to the service and the team will work with them until all treatment needs are addressed or the period of Supervision or License end.

By engaging men convicted of sexual offences, the team delivers programmes in the form of group or two-to-one format with the aim of addressing criminogenic need and reducing the risk of further offending behaviour. The needs that the service works to address primarily includes attitudes to offending, employment, Health, Mental Heath and relationships with friends and family.