Enabling effective probation practice using complementary digital media

Abstract

This article provides an overview of a recent pilot evaluation of the Skills for Relationships Toolkit (referred to below simply as ‘the toolkit’) (Morris et al., 2021). The toolkit is a technological adjunct designed to support probation practitioners to have conversations that promote positive relationship behaviour. This article provides a brief overview of pilot findings for the toolkit with a summary of the co-production work that underpinned its development. The article also highlights how the toolkit content was re-purposed during the Covid-19 pandemic before signposting future opportunities for digital approaches in supporting desistance.This article has been adapted from a presentation delivered by the author at the 4th European Conference of Domestic Violence in September 2021