Abstract

The number of people managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in England and Wales has increased significantly, presenting new challenges for police professionals tasked with the supervision of people with sexual convictions. In response to recent calls for a shift towards desistance-focused practices, this case study reports on a co-produced project aimed at supporting Management of Sexual and Violent Offender (MOSOVO) officers in adopting desistance-oriented approaches. Using participatory action research, the project engaged police officers, people with lived experience of sexual convictions, and academic researchers to collaboratively develop three practical resources: a Desistance Practice Framework, a Desistance Management Plan, and Twelve Principles for Assisting Desistance. These resources were refined through multiple stakeholder consultations and are intended to help police forces better support individual change, reduce reoffending, and manage growing caseloads more effectively. The principles presented here offer a foundation for embedding desistance practice into policing and contribute to the broader effort of aligning risk management with rehabilitation and human rights.