• Timely, high quality reports containing verified information
  and assessments to assist the Court's decisions in relation to
  remand and sentencing decisions
  
• Supervision of offenders sentenced to Community Orders or
  Suspended Sentence Orders
  
• Rigorous enforcement of Community Orders in accordance
  with National Standards. If an offender fails to comply with
  the requirements of an Order, he or she is taken back to
  the court. The court will then decide what action to take.
  
  

In planning and delivering probation services to the courts in Thames Valley, we work closely with all the criminal justice agencies, Victim Support services and sentencers. We also promote awareness of the range of our services available to the courts through regular liaison with local Court clerks and sentencers.

Preparing reports for the Court

When an offender is convicted of a crime, the magistrate or judge can ask for a report to help them make their sentencing decision. These reports focus on:

• Offence analysis - this explores why the offence occurred,the circumstances, and the offender's thoughts and
  awareness of what impact the crime has had upon the victim
  
• Offender assessment - this examines the personal background of the offender and tries to identify any lifestyle factors that may have been influential in this offence and any pattern of offending.
• Assessment of risk - this assesses the offender's risk of re-offending and potential to cause harm to others or self
• Conclusion - this identifies, where appropriate, how a Community Order could be used to reduce the risk of the offender committing further offences. A specific proposal outlines the aims and the anticipated outcomes of the Order.

Probation staff are also responsible for preparing bail information reports which assess an offender’s suitability for bail and for arranging placements at probation approved premises (formerly known as probation hostels).

Where do we serve?

In Thames Valley, we serve the following courts:

Magistrates Courts
Aylesbury • Banbury • Bracknell • High Wycombe • Oxford • Milton Keynes • Maidenhead • Reading •Slough

Crown Courts
Amersham • Aylesbury • Oxford • Reading