What Works

‘What Works’ is a generic term used by the National Probation Service to demonstrate that an intervention has been evidenced to be effective.

In 1998, certain interventions (such as Think First, ASRO and DIDs) were accredited as a method of demonstrating their effectiveness in reducing offending.  Participation of the ‘What Works’ programmes has been shown to cut re-offending by a third.

‘What Works’ is based on the following principles:

• Risk - the risk of re-offending and the risk of serious harm is assessed to determine the amount of intervention required in each case.
•  Needs - intervention is targeted to address the factors (both personal and social) which may lead to re-offending.
• Responsivity - determining what method of intervention will be of most benefit based on the offender’s gender, culture and learning styles.

The programmes that an offender has to attend are determined by these principles. 

The Court can sentence an offender to participate in a ‘What Works’ programme as part of a Community Order rather than imposing a custodial sentence.

The Programmes that we run in Cumbria are:

• Addressing Substance Related Offending (ASRO)
• Basic Skills
• Community Domestic Violence Programme (CDVP)
• Drink Impaired Drivers (DIDs)
• Northumbria Sex Offender Groupwork Programme (N-SOG)
• Think First

Please click on any of these links to view more details of the programme.