Differential Methods in North Bedfordshire Probation Area: The Team Work Approach (From Enquiries Into Community Probation Work, P 23-28, 1988, Bob Broad, ed. -- See NCJ-124123)

• NCJ Number: 124125
• Author(s): K Kavanagh
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 6 pages
• Sale Source: Cranfield Press
• Publication Type: Program Description (Demonstrative)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

Between 1976 and 1981 the probation service in the North Bedfordshire area of England made major changes from the traditional medical model to a team approach.

Abstract

The new system developed and has lasted because management acted as a catalyst rather than the initiator of the program, and staff identified the main needs. In 1976 the agency's staff used only the individual casework method. Colleagues rarely discussed their clients or shared their skills with one another. The resulting dissatisfaction led to a meeting that produced several changes. By 1979 the addition of personnel who had been trained in a variety of methods of working resulted in the use of a differential approach based on teams. An intake team receives all new work and determines which of the following eight approaches are most appropriate for each client: counseling, group work, family work, the use of voluntary associates, education, holding while awaiting another placement, training in time management, and planning for release of incarcerated offenders. The new approach recognizes the role of environmental as well as individual factors in an offender's behavior and has eliminated probation officers' professional isolation.