NCJ Number
116502
Date Published
1987
Length
14 pages
Annotation
As the responsibilities of the Probation Service have expanded in England and Wales, there has been an increasing emphasis on field teamwork.
Abstract
A variety of team models exist, ranging from formal linkages to processes of collaboration that require shared objectives, communication, and clarification of roles. Factors that will affect where on this continuum a team will fall include the nature of the intake and allocation process, team leadership, needs and interests of team members, the community context, and the pattern of agency development and organization. In many cases, the development of more task-centered casework and structured work methods have given rise to semispecialization among team members. Such role differentiation encourages the notion of the team as a whole having responsibility for all clients, with each officer contributing a range of services for all clients. It also is a powerful force for further collectivization, and more confidence in team-sharing, and a more coordinated response. In addition, specialist teams must carefully assess their links with the rest of the local Probation Service, other agencies, and the community. Many teams are adopting a more collaborative framework through reviews in which members share information, identify skills and interests, and set collective goals. Finally, monitoring needs to be a continuous process, built into the team's systems. 14 references.