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<p>On 26 June, we transitioned to a new model of probation delivery. These reforms
will mean that the delivery of key requirements under community sentences is now the
responsibility of the Probation Service. Our new probation service is now responsible
for sentence management in both England and Wales, along with Accredited Programmes,
Unpaid Work, and Structured Interventions. This simplifies delivery, making it easier
for those we work with and giving us greater control of staff and resources to be
able to deliver reform. It will strengthen rehabilitation by delivering improved better
accredited programmes and other rehabilitative interventions, alongside commissioning
specialist services from other organisations.</p><p>We have demonstrated our commitment
and ability to deliver an effective probation service despite significant challenges
during the pandemic. The Probation Service has prioritised public protection and risk
management, as well as delivery of advice to courts, whilst ensuring staff, people
on probation, victims and the general public remain safe.</p><p>Exceptional Delivery
Models, which set out how we operate during the pandemic and ensured services could
be continued, were implemented across England and Wales. In-person, socially distanced,
offender management continued to be the default for those people on probation who
posed a higher risk, for example Terrorism Act offenders. For other cohorts, blended
supervision models were deployed, involving various combinations of home visits, face
to face appointments, telephone or video contact. The delivery of Unpaid Work has
been maximised in line with social distancing restrictions throughout the pandemic,
keeping staff and offenders safe. Offenders have been working on outdoor projects
and those which support the UK’s recovery from Covid-19, and some have completed projects
at home where feasible. For Accredited Programmes, we developed alternative delivery
formats to enable continued delivery of Programmes remotely or in smaller groups in
person where safe to do so, prioritising offenders who posed the highest risk of harm.</p><p>As
social distancing restrictions ease, we are continuing to increase delivery rates
across our services. This includes key requirements such as unpaid work and accredited
programmes.</p>
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