Initial Findings
Initial findings from analysis of staff survey data were presented in a workshop attended by probation staff in April 2021. The presentation was delivered jointly by staff from the University of Lincoln and Revolving Doors Agency. Each theme was illustrated by quotes from the staff surveys, and examples from the Revolving Doors Agency peer researchers working on the project of how some of the themes created in the research relate to their own lived experience of the criminal justice system.
A copy of this presentation can be found below, together with some thoughts on the importance of the words we use written by one of the peer researchers working on this project.
Following this presentation, we completed complete the analysis of data from interviews conducted with people that have been under probation supervision during the pandemic, and to conducted further follow-up work with probation staff to add detail to the initial findings.
Summary of findings
We have produced the info-graphic below to summarise the key findings and recommendations from the project.
Principles for the use of blended supervision
One of the core topics that came up in both the staff surveys and the interviews with people that had been under probation supervision during the pandemic was the switch from face-to-face appointments to the use of telephone calls and door step visits. Based on these responses, we developed some principles for the use of blended supervision showing factors that staff may want to consider when deciding on what method of supervision to use, and including case studies to illustrate how the principles can be used in practice.
Articles
We have published our findings in the Probation Journal: Sirdfield, C., Nichols, H. and Mullen, P. (2022) ‘Probation and COVID-19: Lessons learned to improve health-related practice’, Probation Journal. doi: 10.1177/02645505221087980 .