This article presents the research on effective approaches in working with offenders on supervision from three interlinked perspectives: personal effectiveness, effective interventions and organisational effectiveness. It suggests that such a holistic approach to effective practice provides guidance to probation organisations in relation to the official goals of public protection and achieving a reduction in offending as well as what might be termed the instrumental goals of probation officers and offenders. It concludes that elements of traditional social work, when at its best, are part of the effective package.