Surrey Probation Area

Under a Community Order, an offender may be required to attend an accredited programme.  These are nationally accredited programmes designed to address the root causes of offending.  The programmes target particular aspects of offending such as drink driving, substance abuse, sex offending, domestic violence or repeat offending.

A programme will normally be combined with a Supervision Requirement to provide additional support.

The programmes offered in Surrey are:

Drink Impaired Drivers' Programme (DID)

Aims to reduce risk of re-offending by confronting offenders with the facts relating to drinking and driving. This programme is for drink drivers that were at least twice over the legal limit, have previous drink drive convictions or caused an accident as a result of their offfence. 

Aggression Replacement Training (ART)

Suitable for offenders convicted of offences of assault, serious public order or criminal damage. Offenders must exhibit a pattern of violent or aggressive behaviour and present as medium or high risk to the public. Offenders must also demonstrate some motivation to change and some recognition of the unacceptability of their behaviour.

Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme (IDAP)

Suitable for male perpetrators of domestic violence who are assessed as being of medium to high risk of re-offending and harming current or previous female partners. 

Enhanced Thinking Skills (ETS)

Aims to change offenders' thinking and behaviour, to reduce the likelihood of re-offending. Teaches problem solving skills and how to apply these skills to offending behaviour.

Offender Substance Abuse Programme (OSAP)

Raises awareness of the link between drug and/or alcohol misuse and offending.

Aims to provide offenders with the skills to enable them to reduce or stop substance misuse, and reduce reoffending

Thames Valley Sex Offenders' Groupwork Programme (TV-SOGP)

The Thames Valley Programme helps offenders to understand why they committed the offence and aims to reduce the risk of future sexual offending by teaching new attitudes and behaviours and training the offender to recognise and act on danger signals.

You may be sentenced to a programme requirement as part of your Community Order.  You will attend the programme at least once a week and work as part of a group.  You will usually also have to undertake some individual work with your Offender Manager.

The programme will help you understand the reasons behind your offending and will assist you in developing ways to change your thinking and behaviour and stay out of trouble.

You may be sentenced to attend a programme if you are:

• aged 18 or over
• have an IQ of 80 or more
• motivated to change
• respond well to supervision
• free of chaotic drink/drug abuse problems or mental health problems

Programmes currently available in Surrey are:

Drink Impaired Drivers' Programme (DID)  

Aggression Replacement Training (ART)

Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme (IDAP)

Enhanced Thinking Skills (ETS)

Offender Substance Abuse Programme (OSAP)

Thames Valley Sex Offenders' Groupwork Programme (TV-SOGP)

If you have a programme requirement as part of your Community Order you must attend every session and turn up on time.  Your programme tutor will explain the rules to you before you start the programme. 

If you break the rules without good reason you will receive a warning or be taken back to court.  You are only allowed one warning in any 12 month period.  Even if you miss sessions for acceptable reasons you may be required to re-take sections of the programme.

You must behave appropriately and take part in each session.  Poor behaviour will not be tolerated within the group.

Complaints

If you have any complaints about any other members of the group please speak to your tutor in confidence.

If you have a complaint about the Probation Service please speak to your Offender Manager or their team manager who will try to help.  If you are still not satisfied please see our Complaints procedure.