Community Payback Order: Programme

An offender Supervision Requirement will always be imposed where a programme requirement is made by the court. The duration of the programme must not exceed the period of the offender Supervision Requirement. Section 227P(2) of the 1995 Act defines a programme as: ‘a course or other planned set of activities, taking place over a period of time, and provided to individuals or groups of individuals for the purpose of addressing offending behavioural needs’. This includes accredited and non-accredited programmes.
In Aberdeenshire, the following 3 programmes are available:
 

Interventions suitable for

National accredited programme for domestic offences

Programme Title and Provider

Caledonian Group Work Programme / Caledonian Individual Programme

Details of all Specific national or local scheme/intervention(s) available

The Caledonian Programme is the national accredited programme for men convicted of domestic offences. The preferred method of delivery for the Caledonian Programme is through group work, however, Caledonian is also accredited to be delivered on a 1-1 basis should responsivity issues prevent the man from engaging in the group work process. The Caledonian system offers support to both women and children who have been victims of abuse and to any current partners the man be involved with.
At the current time, due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19, although group work has now recommenced, this is on a smaller group basis than before. The men’s programme has continued to be delivered through a combination of 1-1 and 2-1 where required, utilising the newly accredited individual programme. Plans are in place for a return to group work in September 2021.

Possible Outcomes

As per National Outcomes and Standards for Criminal Justice Social Work:

1. Community safety and public protection
2. The reduction of re-offending
3. Social inclusion to support desistance from offending

In terms of Community Justice Outcomes, a Programme Requirement for the Caledonian Group Work Programme could contribute towards:

• Effective Interventions are delivered to prevent and reduce the risk of further offending
• Life chances are improved through needs, including health, financial inclusion, housing and safety, being addressed.
• People develop positive relationships and more opportunities to participate and contribute through education, employment and leisure activities.
• Individuals’ resilience and capacity for change and self-management are enhanced.

Process for Assessment and/or inclusion in scheme/intervention

The Court will be informed through the Criminal Justice Social Work Report (CJSWR) of the individual’s eligibility and suitability for the programme, the programme availability and confirmation that the programme manager/provider has agreed to the individual’s participation.
In some cases where a court has not imposed a programme requirement at first instance, it may become apparent during work with the individual that their participation in a programme could be beneficial. In such cases the responsible officer can apply to the court to have the Community Payback Order varied by the addition of an appropriate programme requirement. Consideration may also be given to whether or not the same outcomes could be delivered by structured 1-2-1 work with the individual, which could be delivered as part of the offender supervision requirement. This can only be done with the agreement of the individual. That said, a level of motivation and supporting compliance is a component of the approach required.
 

Interventions suitable for

National programme for sexual offenders

Programme Title and Provider

Moving Forward: Making Changes

Details of all Specific national or local scheme/intervention(s) available

Moving Forward: Making Changes is the National programme for sexual offenders. However, this programme is not accredited and is currently being revised by the Scottish Government. Moving Forward, Making Changes can be delivered in either a group format or a 2:1 basis.  Guidance from the Scottish Government suggests the MFMC programme should continue to be delivered to accreditation standards to ensure the integrity and governance of the programme.
As of May 2021, MFMC groups have restarted, with participants offered two sessions where possible and once per week in more rural areas of Aberdeenshire.

Possible Outcomes

As per National Outcomes and Standards for Criminal Justice Social Work:

1. Community safety and public protection
2. The reduction of re-offending
3. Social inclusion to support desistance from offending

In terms of Community Justice Outcomes, a Programme Requirement for the Moving Forward: Making Changes programme could contribute towards:

• Effective Interventions are delivered to prevent and reduce the risk of further offending.
• Life chances are improved through needs, including health, financial inclusion, housing and safety, being addressed.
• People develop positive relationships and more opportunities to participate and contribute through education, employment and leisure activities.
• Individuals’ resilience and capacity for change and self-management are enhanced.

Process for Assessment and/or inclusion in scheme/intervention

The Court will be informed through the Criminal Justice Social Work Report (CJSWR) of the individual’s eligibility and suitability for the programme, the programme availability and confirmation that the programme manager/provider has agreed to the individual’s participation.
In some cases where a court has not imposed a programme requirement at first instance, it may become apparent during work with the individual that their participation in a programme could be beneficial. In such cases the responsible officer can apply to the court to have the Community Payback Order varied by the addition of an appropriate programme requirement. Consideration may also be given to whether or not the same outcomes could be delivered by structured 1-2-1 work with the individual, which could be delivered as part of the offender supervision requirement. This can only be done with the agreement of the individual. That said, a level of motivation and supporting compliance is a component of the approach required.
 

Interventions suitable for

Men convicted of lower level sexual offences

Programme Title and Provider

Aberdeenshire Sex Offender Programme

Details of all Specific national or local scheme/intervention(s) available

Specific to Aberdeenshire Council, the Aberdeenshire Sex Offender Programme is a non-accredited programme delivered to men convicted of sexual offences where Moving Forward Making Changes may not be assessed as suitable. Typically this programme is aimed at men who score low or low / moderate on risk assessments and the high level of intensity that MFMC offers is not required to address the minimal treatment needs identified. This programme is delivered on a 1-1 basis with formulation of treatment needs assessed by the programmes team in Aberdeenshire.

Possible Outcomes

As per National Outcomes and Standards for Criminal Justice Social Work:

1. Community safety and public protection
2. The reduction of re-offending
3. Social inclusion to support desistance from offending

In terms of Community Justice Outcomes, a Programme Requirement for the Aberdeenshire Sex Offender Programme could contribute towards:

• Effective Interventions are delivered to prevent and reduce the risk of further offending.
• Life chances are improved through needs, including health, financial inclusion, housing and safety, being addressed.
• People develop positive relationships and more opportunities to participate and contribute through education, employment and leisure activities.
• Individuals’ resilience and capacity for change and self-management are enhanced.

Process for Assessment and/or inclusion in scheme/intervention

The Court will be informed through the Criminal Justice Social Work Report (CJSWR) of the individual’s eligibility and suitability for the programme, the programme availability and confirmation that the programme manager/provider has agreed to the individual’s participation.
In some cases where a court has not imposed a programme requirement at first instance, it may become apparent during work with the individual that their participation in a programme could be beneficial. In such cases the responsible officer can apply to the court to have the Community payback order varied by the addition of an appropriate programme requirement. Consideration may also be given to whether or not the same outcomes could be delivered by structured one-to-one work with the individual, which could be delivered as part of the offender supervision requirement. This can only be done with the agreement of the individual. That said, a level of motivation and supporting compliance is a component of the approach required.