Embedding psychological thinking: an evaluation of a regional training model for probation staff
| Published date | 13 February 2017 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-12-2015-0053 |
| Date | 13 February 2017 |
| Pages | 37-46 |
| Author | Clare Mapplebeck,Jo Ramsden,Mark Lowton,Sammy Short,Flora Burn |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Forensic practice,Sociology,Sociology of crime & law,Law enforcement/correctional,Public policy & environmental management,Policing,Criminal justice |
Embedding psychological thinking:
an evaluation of a regional training
model for probation staff
Clare Mapplebeck, Jo Ramsden, Mark Lowton, Sammy Short and Flora Burn
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to outline the qualitative evaluation of a training package delivered to
offender managers (OMs) working to support the implementation of the national Offender Personality
Disorder (OPD) pathway and to examine qualitative changes in the way participants approach case material
pre- and post-training.
Design/methodology/approach –In total, 21 pre- and 21 post-training responses to a case vignette were
recorded and used in the analysis. OMs were asked what they would like to know more about and what
would they focus on with the individual in the vignette. The responses were matched and the vignettes
pre- and post-training were identical except for the name of the (fictional) offender.
Findings –The responses were subjected to a thematic analysis and, whilst themes were similar both
between questions and within each question over time, post-training responses focussed more on the
offender’s relationship with the OM and showed a greater appreciation for the relevance of internal
motivations (not just what but why). This tendency was less evident in all responses regarding risk/offending.
Originality/value –The OPD pathway is focussed on learning. The work is innovative andthis paper adds to
the body of early evidence which will hopefully inform future developments. In particular, the importance of
involvement of probation stakeholders in the design and delivery of training is highlighted. In addition, it is
expected that future research will focus on the impact of continued supervision for the participants in this
study and, as such, this paper forms the beginning of a process of evaluating how and when various
workforce development interventions are effective.
Keywords Psychology, Personality disorder, Formulation, Training, Offenders, Probation
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
The National Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) strategy is a joint initiative between the National
Offender Management Service and the National Health Service (NHS). The aim of the strategy is
to improve public protection and psychological health for high risk men and women in the
criminal justice system whose difficulties are consistent with a personality disorder diagnosis.
A number of benefits of the strategy are anticipated, including reducing recidivism, improving the
well-being of offenders and creating a workforce more skilled and confident in working with PD.
The commitment to workforce development underpins an expectation that the pathway will
facilitate an evolving workforce which has enhanced competencies, knowledge, skills,
understanding and confidence for working with this complex and challenging client group –a
client group which, traditionally, services have struggled to respond to effectively.
In the past, there have been few opportunities for probation officers to receive training in workingwith
personality disorder (Shaw et al., 2012). The national Knowledge and Understanding Framework
(KUF, www.personalitydisorderkuf.org.uk) which is commissioned as part of the OPD pathway is
one of the few opportunities offered to probation staff to receive personality disorder specific training.
KUF awareness training is delivered over three experiential teaching days with on-line learning in
Received 9 December 2015
Revised 9 February 2016
21 March 2016
17 May 2016
21 June 2016
Accepted 2 July 2016
Clare Mapplebeck is a Clinical
Psychologist at Yorkshire
Humberside Personality
Disorder Partnership, Leeds
and York Partnership NHS
Foundation Trust, Leeds, UK.
Jo Ramsden is a Consultant
Clinical Psychologist at Leeds
Personality Disorder Services,
Leeds and York Partnership
NHS Foundation Trust,
Leeds, UK.
Mark Lowton is an Operational
Lead at Offender Personality
Disorder Strategy, North East
Division, National Probation
Service, Leeds, UK.
Sammy Short is an Assistant
Psychologist at Yorkshire
Humberside Personality
Disorder Partnership, Leeds
and York Partnership NHS
Foundation Trust, Leeds, UK.
Flora Burn is based at Leeds
and York Partnership NHS
Foundation Trust, Leeds, UK.
DOI 10.1108/JFP-12-2015-0053 VOL. 19 NO. 1 2017, pp. 37-46, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2050-8794
j
JOURNAL OF FORENSIC PRACTICE
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PAG E 37
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