THE
REFERRAL ORDER: A GOOD PRACTICE GUIDE

Nacro

ISBN 0850691796, £5

STAR RATING 4/5

This is one of a series of good practice guides issued by Nacro and
I am pleased to say that it is up to the usual high standard,
writes John Whitfield.

It begins by discussing the legislative background to the referral
order and places it within the sentencing framework available to
the courts. Case examples are used in a constructive way to
demonstrate some of the difficulties the courts face in issues of
parity and justice where the referral order is
concerned.

But it is when it comes to the panel meetings themselves that this
guide is really useful. It clearly sets out the tasks involved, the
difficulties practitioners may encounter and gives clear advice as
to how to deal with those difficulties.

Case examples are also used to illustrate some of the practical
problems encountered in engaging with victims. The guide ends with
a section which deals with frequently asked questions.

This booklet is obviously intended for use by practitioners and
more than fulfils that purpose but it will also prove to be very
useful to community panel members themselves, and at £5 it’s a
steal!

John Whitfield is a lecturer in
social work at the University of Hull