The Thames Valley Sex Offender Groupwork Programme (TVSOGP)

This page will explain more about the programme and what is expected of you.

What is TVSOGP?
It is a specialist groupwork programme, run by the Probation Service, for men who have been convicted of any sexual offence, including non-contact sexual offences.

Its aims are to:

• Increase your awareness of the way your behaviour has affected your victim(s)
• Confront your denial and making you take full responsibility for what you have done
• Teach you ways of ‘interrupting' your thought patterns or behaviour and increase your ability to lead an abuse-free life
• Identify your views and perceptions which have led you to offending behaviour
• Reduce the risk of future sexual offending.
  

It can form part of a Community Rehabilitation Order, a Community Punishment and Rehabilitation Order or a post-release prison licence.

What will I have to do on the programme?
This may depend on what sex offender treatment you have undertaken in custody.

Psychometric assessment will help us decide which of the programme ‘blocks' you need to complete.

The four blocks are:

• Foundation - two full weeks, 9am-5pm
• Victim Empathy - twice a week for four weeks
• Lifeskills - twice a week for 10 weeks
• Relapse Prevention - weekly attendance for 24 weeks.
  

How long does the programme last?
This will depend on your needs. We will carry out rigorous psychometric assessments and other risk assessments on you.

How will I know if I have made any progress?
You will be assessed at the beginning and at the end of the programme.
From this you will see what progress you have made.
It will also help us to see how well we have helped you.

Ongoing assessment will continue after the programme ends.

Your supervising officer will also review your progress with you.

What happens if I miss a session?
You must attend all the programme sessions if you want to complete the programme successfully. You must contact the probation staff as soon as possible if you are not able to attend a session.

You will be returned to court if you miss appointments without a good reason.
The probation staff will decide if you have a good reason or not.

You will also be returned to court if you behave unacceptably or turn up late.

What happens if I am ill and cannot attend?
If you are ill you must provide a sick certificate. You must give this to the probation staff within seven working days.

Do I have any rights while I am on the programme?
You will be treated fairly and equally. You will be expected to behave just as fairly to other people.

The service will not allow racist, sexist or other disrespectful behaviour from any person under our supervision.

You can make a complaint if you feel you have been treated unfairly or unreasonably. You should try and talk about this with the probation staff first, or their managers.

If you are not satisfied with the response you get, then you can write to the Chief Officer at:

Thames Valley Probation Area
Head Office
Kingsclere Road
Bicester
Oxon
OX26 2QD


What if I have any questions or problems?
If you have any questions or problems, please ask the programme staff, who will try to sort things out for you.