Information for Workers

National Probation Service – Wiltshire

Wiltshire  Probation Area is responsible for supervising offenders over the age of 17 in the geographical area covered by both Wiltshire County Council and Swindon Borough Council: these offenders will include those on community orders and those released from prison on licence. The Probation Service is represented at a strategic level on the local Safeguarding Children Boards.

Two of the top priority areas for Wiltshire Probation Area are:

• Protecting the public from harm - preventing the next victim of crime
• The proper punishment and rehabilitation of offenders

In terms of the risk posed by an individual offender, all probation areas use the Offender Assessment System (OASys). This system identifies factors that contribute to offending and assesses the level and type of risk posed by the offender. The system seeks to identify the level of risk of harm posed by the offender to members of the public and to their previous victim(s).

This helps probation staff formulate a supervision and risk management plan.

High Risk Offenders

In managing high risk offenders, the probation service works within the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA), and indeed the MAPPA manager is a seconded Senior Probation Officer. Under MAPPA, the police, probation, the prison service, social services, health and other relevant agencies work together to manage high risk offenders, including those who are identified as posing a risk to children. It is vital that agencies cooperate in sharing information and agreeing the necessary action to reduce the level of risk.

Sex Offenders

For offenders who commit sexual offences, either against children or adults, Wiltshire Probation Area runs an accredited Sex Offender Treatment Programme: this can either be a community order requirement or a condition of a post-release licence. Similar programmes are also run inside prisons, with the identified work being continued after the offender has been released on licence. All work with offenders is reinforced by rigorous offender management practice.

Domestic Violence

Withshire Probation Area has played a significant part in developing a joint approach to domestic violence, including its impact on children: research indicates that large numbers of children have witnessed levels of violence in the home and have been 'caught in the crossfire'.



The Service is committed to working with other agencies in order to ensure the protection and welfare of all children residing in the Wiltshire and Swindon area.