Revising manualised treatment programmes: incorporating practitioners' feedback
Abstract
Purpose
Implementing treatment programmes with integrity requires a clear statement of what is to be done in treatment, and treatment manuals do this to a greater or lesser degree. In correctional work, many treatment programmes are formally accredited, yet changes may need to be made after accreditation. Updating accredited programmes is important, but there is little formal guidance on post‐accreditation revision. This paper aims to report on practitioner feedback on one accredited programme – Control of Violence for Angry Impulsive Drinkers (COVAID) – with the aim of illustrating how practitioner feedback might be interpreted and used in revising treatment programmes.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors surveyed 20 treatment managers in prison and probation services, of whom 11 (55 per cent) responded. Responses were analysed thematically.
Findings
Respondents indicated that COVAID met a need for offenders, met the responsivity principle, and was well supported by documentation and post‐training support audit. Respondents offered suggestions for improvement. Some changes to the manual were clearly required; however, many of the suggestions need to be addressed in training. While initial training can be amended for future use, developmental support is another means of maintaining treatment integrity.
Research limitations/implications
The number of treatment managers approached was small and responses were obtained from only 55 per cent of those contacted. Therefore, the views of respondents may not be representative of all treatment managers.
Originality/value
This report addresses the issue of programme re‐accreditation and the basis for revising treatments and treatment manuals.
Keywords
Citation
McMurran, M. and Delight, S. (2012), "Revising manualised treatment programmes: incorporating practitioners' feedback", The British Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 14 No. 3, pp. 157-167. https://doi.org/10.1108/14636641211254888
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited