Structure and Governance

The Probation Institute is governed through a clear and accountable framework that supports its charitable purpose, professional independence, and public responsibility. This ensures the Institute is well led, transparent, and able to provide a strong professional voice for probation and rehabilitation.

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Governance overview

Established in 2014, the Probation Institute has operated with a modest committee structure, which was reviewed and updated in 2025 to reflect the Institute’s growth and priorities. From October 2025, the structure of the Probation Institute includes the following groups:

 
 

  • Members of the Probation Institute are invited to all events and to the Annual General Meeting (AGM), where they:

    • Approve the appointment of new Trustees

    • May propose changes to the Institute’s structure and operations 

    This ensures members play a formal role in the governance of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

  • The Probation Institute currently has eight Trustees, who are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the CIO.

    Trustees act in accordance with:

    • The Institute’s charitable objects

    • Its governing documents

    • The requirements of the Charity Commission

    They ensure that the Institute remains financially sound, well‑governed, and focused on its charitable purpose.

  • Fellows are invited to join the Institute and meet four times a year in an advisory capacity.

    In 2024, the Institute introduced a Fellows Working Group, which supports the development of papers and positions intended to influence policy, practice, and wider professional debate in line with the Institute’s aims and values.

  • Established in 2014, the Academic Advisory Network is an advisory group of academics from across the justice sector.

    The Institute works closely with the Network to:

    • Support research projects

    • Provide academic advice

    • Offer mentoring for candidates within the Research Awards Scheme

     Membership of the Network is by invitation or request.

  • The Research Panel meets regularly with the primary purpose of:

    • Sharing research

    • Supporting evidence‑informed practice

    • Steering Probation Institute Research Events

    The panel is chaired by Dr Matt Tidmarsh, University of Leeds. The Editor of The Probation Quarterly is also a member of this group.

  • The Probation Institute Research Awards Panel is a sub‑group of the Academic Advisory Network.

    Its role includes:

    • Selecting suitable research award candidates

    • Supporting researchers through the awards process

    • Monitoring research outputs

    • Guiding the publication and dissemination of completed research

    The Panel works with appointed academic mentors to support high‑quality research activity.

Find out more

To learn more about the Probation Institute’s aims, values, and professional leadership, you may wish to explore: