The development of high quality programmes requires a combination of skills including up-to-date knowledge of relevant research evidence, theoretical knowledge, a comprehensive understanding of the technical requirements of programme design and development, and critically an understanding of the practicalities and problems of programme delivery. Our view is that we need to develop programmes with the leading experts in the field, and to pilot them in partnership with the services and organisations using them.

Our programme portfolio was initially developed on the basis of providing some core cognitive behavioral programmes that tackled the major criminogenic needs. Two of our original programmes have withstood the test of time and are in use in several settings. A number of independent evaluations have confirmed their effectiveness and thus they remain in this brochure.

The core programmes include a comprehensive revision of the programme "Offending Is Not The Only Choice", and others that address violence, domestic violence and substance misuse. Our programme developer for this suite of programmes is Dr Barbara Armstrong Chief Psychologist at the Rideau Corrections Centre, Ontario. Reconviction studies on offenders who had undertaken Dr Armstrong's programmes demonstrated very significant reductions in recidivism and in a comprehensive meta-analysis of the literature relating to programmes used in custodial environments, Professor Paul Gendreau of the University of New Brunswick concluded that they demonstrated the best outcomes his team could find in the literature. These programmes have now been adapted for use in the United Kingdom and in a range of settings and are age and gender specific.

In partnership with Glasgow City Council Criminal Justice Services we are shortly to start the pilot phase of a new HATE CRIME programme. This programme is based on an extensively researched and tested programme used in Canada and the United States that draws on the best practice literature in this field.

Training to Deliver Programmes

Our view, shared by our consultants is that it is unethical to attempt to deliver programmes such as those described above without proper training. We have designed training courses specific to each of the programmes. These courses are delivered by our own trainers who have in depth knowledge of the programme and its theoretical underpinning. The courses are highly interactive and require potential programme deliverers to demonstrate an ability to do so.