This article is based on research that explored how well protective factors are understood, assessed and used in risk assessment within probation practice. The research was facilitated by the Sir Graham Smith Award, administered by the Probation Institute. Semi-structured interviews explored the knowledge, ability, confidence and attitudes of a sample of probation officers working in the National Probation Service. The findings suggest that understanding of the term is varied, and there are some limitations around knowledge, but that attitudes towards protective factors are positive and there is some good practice in terms of assessment.

中文翻译：

---

优势、资源还是控制？缓刑实践中保护因素的评估

本文基于探讨如何在缓刑实践中的风险评估中理解、评估和使用保护因素的研究。这项研究得到了缓刑研究所管理的格雷厄姆·史密斯爵士奖的推动。半结构化访谈探讨了在国家缓刑局工作的缓刑官员样本的知识、能力、信心和态度。研究结果表明，对该术语的理解是多种多样的，并且在知识方面存在一些局限性，但对保护因素的态度是积极的，并且在评估方面有一些好的做法。