Alcohol Education Probation Service

Sacro’s Alcohol Education Probation Service assists people to understand and control their alcohol-related behaviour. Recognised as an outstanding programme in the Howard League Community Programmes Awards 2006, the service aims to reduce the risk of re-offending due to alcohol misuse.

What does the service offer?

The service provides a programme for offenders which explores the links between alcohol use and offending. Regular liaison with supervising social workers and the court service enhances and complements probation work. A completion report based upon the probationer’s participation is provided for supervising social workers and sentencers on completion of the programme.

Participants are given the opportunity to reduce their offending by:

• increasing their knowledge of alcohol and its effects
• examining their use of alcohol and its effects on their behaviour
• acquiring skills and confidence in controlling their drinking
• examining the consequences of their offending behaviour.

How does the service work?

The eight-week cognitive behaviour-based groupwork programme uses techniques such as problem solving, goal setting, self monitoring, cost benefit analysis, risk assessment, consequential thinking and relapse prevention.

Who is the service aimed at?

The service is provided (in gender-specific groups) for people whose offending has been directly linked to their use of alcohol. Service users must be subject to some sort of statutory social work supervision.

How is the service accessed?

Referrals are made via the local authority criminal justice teams, usually at the pre-sentencing stage and when social enquiry reports are being compiled.