A programme requirement requires an offender to complete an offending behaviour programme or intervention. An accredited programme is intensive and structured, designed to tackle the attitudes, thinking and behaviours which may lead people to reoffend. It is usually delivered in groups by a trained facilitator.
Volume/length range: The court must specify the number of days on which the offender must participate in the programme up to the length of the order.
An accredited programme must be recommended by the Probation Service, as it has specific eligibility criteria for which the offender must be assessed before it is proposed as an appropriate disposal.
The Probation Service will specify to the court how many days are required to complete an accredited programme to ensure it can be completed which will include pre and post programme work. The court should liaise with the Probation Service to ensure the community order duration is sufficient.