The core work of the Probation Service is the assessment and supervision of offenders. The Service works to reduce reoffending, strengthen communities and support ex-offenders to lead better lives. During 2009, the Service completed assessments on 8,273 offenders on behalf of the Courts and supervised almost 11,000 offenders in the community. During the year the Service developed a framework for ‘Effective Offender Supervision’ to prioritise our interventions based on assessing and managing risk of harm and of re-offending. This framework allows the Service to prioritise statutory work with medium and high risk offenders, those on Community Service and young offenders and deploy resources accordingly.