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    Does this fit? : a study of the perspectives of Home Detention Probation Officers : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Social Policy, Massey University
    (Massey University, 2007) Ward, Avril Eileen
    The thesis is a qualitative study informed by Standpoint Theory (Smith, 1997) examining the perspectives of six Home Detention Probation Officers (HDPO's). In particular, the research explores the participants' perspective of two of the three major objectives of the Home Detention Order outlined in the Community Probation Service Operations Manual (CPSOM) Volume four. These are to: a) ensure that the criminogenic needs are met by the constructive use of programmes; and b) to ease the transition of inmates back into the community through a staged process of release by providing support and control structures. The research questions were focused on the 'fit' between the two objectives, the part the objectives and electronic monitoring play in guiding practice, and the combined impact of these on the everyday practice of HDPO's. The primary questions explored whether these objectives are working or achievable, what supports them and what barriers exist to their effective operations. The findings of this research show that, while the stated objectives are achievable, the fit between the manual and everyday practice for the participants could be challenging due to high caseloads, management regime requirements and areas within the manual and policy that were considered sparse, effectively leaving HDPO's without clear guidelines or procedures. Programmes were considered vital to home detention but issues around rescheduling, entry criteria to programmes and availability of programmes caused concern. Participants identified training areas such as working with families, combined with practice-based training would assist their practice delivery. They suggested that regular conference based trainings and meetings would inform policy and clarify practice issues, for instance in relation to after hours incidents. Electronic monitoring was considered to be a major component of home detention, however equipment reliability and communication problems with the monitoring company created difficulties with effective management of home detention.
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    Professional supervision practice under new public management : a study of the perspectives of probation officers and service managers in the community probation service : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Social Policy and Social Work, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 1999) O'Donoghue, Kieran Barry
    This thesis examines professional supervision practice under new public management from the perspectives of probation officers and service managers in the Community Probation Service. In particular, the research explores the participants’ philosophy of professional supervision, their recent supervision experiences, and their aspirations and expectations with regard to professional supervision. In order to provide a background for an informed analysis and discussion of the research findings, the thesis discusses the key themes in the social service supervision and new public management literature. It also examines the Community Probation Service’s context and the history of new public management and professional supervision in this organisation. The thesis is a qualitative study that is informed by social work practice theory and utilises the phenomenological and hermeneutic approaches. The research findings show that amongst the participants there was: (a) an unclear philosophy of supervision; (b) minimal recent experience of supervision and little ownership or support for the agency supervision project; (c) a belief that the context increased their need for supervision, but at the same time reduced their ability to receive or participate in it; (d) an expectation that professional supervision would assist them to work more effectively with clients and staff; (e) an expectation of good committed supervisors who would support and help them develop; and (f) an expectation that the agency would support professional supervision through resourcing, guidelines, accredited supervisors and the establishment of a learning culture. The major implications of these findings are that: (1) there is a need for staff to be socialised into professional social service supervision; (2) that the professional supervision programme within the Community Probation Service, as currently implemented, is unlikely to be successful; and (3) that professional social service supervision needs to be focused upon persons and their environments, rather than upon the agency.