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Approximately 70% of offenders supervised by the probation service are on community orders.
Once an offender has been convicted, the magistrate or judge considers the recommendations of the Pre Sentence Report provided by the probation service. A community order can be considered alongside different custodial sentences or a fine.
There is one community order with 12 possible requirements which can be used in different combinations. This means the order can be specially tailored depending on:
| Requirement | Duration |
| Supervision - The offender must attend regular appointments with their offender manager (probation officer), to work on changing their behaviour and lifestyle. | Up to 36 months |
| Unpaid Work - The offender must work unpaid for the benefit of the community. | 40 – 300 hours |
| Accredited programmes - Specially tailored programmes designed to address different types of offending. | Stated number (or range) of sessions |
| Drug rehabilitation - The offender must address their drug misuse, drug related lifestyle and offending. | 6 – 36 months |
| Alcohol treatment - The offender must attend treatment to reduce or eliminate their dependency on alcohol. | 6 - 36 months |
| Mental Health treatment - For this requirement the court must be satisfied the mental condition of the offender requires and may be susceptible to treatment. | up to 36 months |
| Residence - The offender is required to live at a specified address. This might be a probation hostel (Approved Premises), independent hostel or a private address. | up to 36 months |
| Specified activity - The offender has to undertake particular activities as specified. In Northumbria, the probation service is currently offering work on education, training and employment as a specified activity. | 20-60 days |
| Exclusion - The offender is not allowed to enter certain areas. Where possible, this will be monitored electronically. | Up to 2 years |
| Prohibited activity - The offender must not participate in certain activities on or at specified times. This might include using a computer or taking part in sports activities. | Up to 36 months |
| Curfew -The offender must remain at an agreed place between specified hours. This is monitored electronically. | up to 6 months |
| Attendance Centre (for under 25s) The offender must go to an Attendance Centre, where they will undertake structured work. This might include basic skills, first aid, and physical education. | 12-36 hours |
