Performance-based policy in offender rehabilitation: Limitation or innovation for front-line workers in Liaison and Diversion services?. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rocha, Paulo; Holmen, Ann-Karin
• Is Part Of: Probation journal. Volume 67:Number 3(2020)
• Page Start: 198
• Page End: 213
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: performance-based policymaking -- Liaison and Diversion -- front-line workers -- limitations -- innovation -- offender rehabilitation -- England and Wales; Probation -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 364.6305
• DOI: 10.1177/0264550520926578
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-5505

Abstract

In recent years, the English government has been using competitive elements in the process of allocating public funds through policy. Front-line workers struggle with the limitations imposed by such a model. A qualitative case study was conducted to investigate the impact of a new performance-based policy on front-line workers of a public service called Liaison and Diversion. The findings demonstrated that professionals have been adapting the policy to local circumstances found at the street level. We argued that adaptation is a form of employee-based innovation that optimises the use of scarce resources and customises services to the clients.