Developing the Offender Plan with the Offender

Step

Action

1

Explain that the purpose of the session is to develop an offender plan that is agreed and signed by both the offender and the probation officer.

2

Explain that the main purpose of the offender plan is to help the offender meet the requirements of the sentence. It is also a mechanism for:

• identifying and addressing the offender???s goals, and
• avoiding further offending.

3

Answer any questions the offender has about the sentence and its requirements.

Note: This may involve going back over ground covered during the induction interview.

4

Make sure the offender understands that:

• the offender plan ???belongs??? to them
• it is a tool they use to meet their objectives and goals, and
• they are responsible for making it work to their advantage.

However, it is also important to be clear that the offender has to comply with the requirements of the sentence. Their agreement is being sought in respect of how these requirements will be met ??? not whether they will be met. Any failure/refusal to meet the requirements of the sentence/order will be treated as non-compliance, and may result in enforcement action.

5

Together with the offender:

• review and confirm their identified needs (rehabilitative and integrative), and level of motivation/responsivity as included in the offender information report (SPI) and/or other assessment material
• identify and prioritise relevant objectives, and develop activities for each part of the offender plan, and
• reinforce the priorities for the offender plan by referring back to the assessment information.

6

Confirm the reporting requirements, including the sentence management phases.

Note: This must take into account intensive monitoring requirements for very high risk offenders, those included on the offender warning system (OWS), and life parolees.

7

Make any urgent referrals required as part of the offender plan, and identify when subsequent referrals will be made. Record the details in IOMS casenotes.

Note: For offenders included on the OWS, the first referral should be made within one week of the sentence/release.

8

Complete the plan in IOMS and print two copies, then:

• sign both copies of the plan
• ask the offender to sign both copies of the plan
• give the offender one copy, and
• ask the service manager to sign the other (file) copy.