A programme, or course, can give you the skills, confidence and knowledge to help you avoid reoffending.
You will often complete a programme in a group, but sometimes we might work with you on your own.
We offer a range of programmes you might need to attend as part of your sentence. They can address issues linked to your offence such as domestic abuse, anger management, drug or alcohol abuse or thinking skills. They might also help you to improve your chances of getting a job or to learn practical skills such as how to manage your finances.
Your National Probation Service offender manager will explain what programmes they would like you to attend and how they will help you.
It should help you to gain the skills and knowledge you need to avoid reoffending.
Programmes can help you to learn about ways of coping with problems in your life so that you can deal with them in a positive way.
It depends on the programme. Some are short and others you might need to attend every week for a year or longer.
Your National Probation Service offender manager will explain at your induction what programmes you will attend and how long they will last.
On most programmes we encourage you to talk about your offence and offending to help you get the right support and come up with relevant strategies to help you in the future.
We will need to share information with your offender manager at the National Probation Service to help them give you the support and help you need. There will be times when we need to provide information to other agencies such as housing providers, treatment providers or healthcare professionals to support your rehabilitation. This will be with your consent. But if you give us information that is linked to possible risk of harm to yourself or others, or about an offence which has been or may be committed, we have a duty to pass this on to the relevant agency.
When you take part in a group, we ask members to respect each other’s confidentiality.
We may ask you to talk about how you might deal with a problem or ask you to give advice to others about how they could deal with a problem. We will also ask you to complete some activities on some courses, such as getting you to write your CV or complete paperwork to claim benefits or set up a bank account.
Please make sure you contact your National Probation Service offender manager if you are not able to attend an appointment. We will also provide information to them if you miss a session.