Making a difference through psychologically-informed and evidence-led research, training, and consultancy.

KTA provides high quality research, training, and consultancy services. As qualified psychologists and evidence-based practice specialists, we use the best available scientific evidence to improve the outcomes that matter to you.

By understanding your needs, and drawing on decades of experience, we provide rigorous evaluation and research, bespoke and high quality training, and expert and responsive consultancy services.

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We are psychologists, researchers, and evidence-based practice specialists

with over 65 years’ experience of working in the Criminal Justice System.

Research
We have a substantial record of conducting and publishing high quality research and using a range of research methods.
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Training
We are all experienced trainers, and have developed and delivered numerous national training events, and workshops for a range of organisations.
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Consultancy
We have extensive experience in supporting and advising leaders and provide expert consultancy services across a range of areas. We use a consultancy approach grounded in evidence that focusses on the translation of knowledge to action.
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We know this setting.  We understand the context people are working in.

We want to make a difference, and to improve outcomes for CJS staff, for those individuals affected by it, for the public, and for our communities.

Recent examples of our work include: 

Rapid Evidence Assessments
For the Ministry of Justice and the Youth Custody Service we have synthesised the latest research on the effectiveness of CBT and peer-led interventions for victims of crime, and the risks, needs, and interventions relevant to children in forensic settings. These evidence syntheses will inform service commissioning, design and delivery to get better outcomes within the criminal justice system.
Prison-based research
In partnership with the Ministry of Justice Evaluation and Prototyping Hub, we tested a ‘prototyping approach’ in the operational frontline of a prison, evaluating how this can improve local problem-solving ability, develop day-to-day practice, and get changes to stick.
Bespoke training
We’ve created both online and in-person training packages for the NHS, prison and probation staff on key topics such as procedural justice, relational practice, and enabling environments. These help to embed evidence-informed practice into everyday frontline operations.
Consultancy services
We’ve advised private sector prisons and service providers on what constitutes an evidence-based custodial environment, and how to robustly evaluate the impact of interventions. This helps to develop practice that works to achieve better outcomes and to continually improve over time.

Our work and decision-making are strongly grounded in our business’ values. We will only undertake work which is evidence-informed and likely to have an impact in the real world. We are committed, passionate, hardworking, and will always strive to make a difference, to support people, and embed evidence into practice.

READ OUR PUBLICATIONS Find OUT MORE ABOUT US

Excellence. We are committed to providing a professional service of the highest quality. We strive for excellence in our research, training and consultancy. 

We are active in obtaining and acting on feedback to continually improve our services. We have a programme of continuing professional development to ensure that we stay up to date with the latest relevant research and use the most appropriate and best methods and approaches in our work. All of our research is subject to peer review. We are committed to maximum transparency and knowledge sharing, and therefore aim to publish our work whenever we can.

Integrity. We care about doing what is right, following due process, adhering to ethical standards, and being fair and honest. 

We communicate evidence objectively, transparently, and accessibly. As qualified psychologists we adhere to the British Psychological Society’s code of ethics and conduct, and ethical standards in research (code of human research ethics). 

Making a Difference. We want our work to make a positive difference.

We work closely and collaboratively with our clients to maximise the value of our services. We measure and reflect on our impact. We believe in using plain English, however complicated the topic or research method. We want to make evidence as accessible as possible to as wide an audience as possible. We tailor our communications and messaging to suit the context of the work, use practical examples, and make it easy for people to know how to put knowledge into action. 

Don’t just take our word for it.

Hear directly from some of our clients. In their own words.

We commissioned KTA to undertake research within Approved Premises (APs), building understanding of the AP environment and the barriers and enablers to the safe integration of residents into local communities.

The professional, knowledgeable and friendly approach of Helen, Georgia and Flora shone through at all times. They quickly understood the research aims and requirements, designing an approach that balanced rigour with pragmatism, drawing on their extensive knowledge of social research methods and the operational realities of the criminal justice system. They were responsive, collaborative and proactive throughout, maintaining strong and productive relationships with us and with all those involved. They maintained high standards while ensuring the project was delivered within agreed timescales. And they produced a final report and accompanying products that were very well received and made a significant contribution to the evidence base for high‑quality delivery within APs.

In summary, this was a highly successful project that met all of its aims, and we very much look forward to working with KTA again.
Dr Robin Moore
Head of Research & Data Analysis, HM Inspectorate of Probation
I have worked with Flora, Helen, and Georgia on many projects throughout our time at HMPPS; in particular, this work has focussed on achieving better safety, stability, and well-being for staff and prisoners, and the development of procedurally just practices. They have delivered impacts on culture and improved the skills of frontline staff through bespoke training, not just across London prisons but countrywide. They are experts in their field, people focussed, and always have the people in custody at the forefronts of their minds when delivering the work that they do, in concert and in collaboration with their stakeholders. I am proud to call them colleagues, and friends, who have helped me deliver massive change in London Prisons.
Ian Bickers

Former HMPPS Prison Group Director for London Prisons; Founder of Unlocking Justice
I had the pleasure to work with Flora and Helen during my time as Governor of HMP Hewell, where they conducted research exploring the cultural transformation that had taken place there. The work was in depth, using multiple methods and required significant skill and experience of working in prisons. They engaged brilliantly with all those living and working in the prison, always keeping the key people involved to ensure the scope of the work was right and presenting us with their thoughts and reflections all the way through. I was blown away by the final report. The journey the prison had been on was captured brilliantly, and a genuine route to real cultural change in prisons encapsulated in a perfectly conceived model accessible to all. The richness and storytelling quality of the research report brought it to life, and the brilliance of the researchers was demonstrated in taking an extremely complicated topic and creating something which could and should have huge impact across a whole organisation. I cannot recommend them highly enough, and very much hope to work with them again in the future.
Ralph Lubkowski
Director, Sodexo
The training was amazing. It was really relevant and I can see where it would be important to implement in practice.

Excellent and informative training. Thought-provoking and useful for self-reflection in practice.

Fantastic training – please do more of this! Really helped me to reflect on my approach with patients.
West London NHS Trust
Forensic Social Work Team
KTA worked with me to develop a Theory of Change for my prison-based programme, helping to clearly define the pathways to impact for the individuals we support. Their structured approach allowed us to evidence the effectiveness of our interventions, making it easier to demonstrate the real-world outcomes of our work to stakeholders and funders. What stood out was their ability to translate complex evaluation methods into practical, actionable insights. They took the time to understand our unique approach, particularly our lived experience-led model, and ensured that our evaluation framework genuinely reflected the transformation we see in participants. But business is also about people, and KTA are some of the nicest you could wish to meet. They are professional, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to impact, making the process not just valuable but enjoyable too. I couldn’t recommend them enough and will definitely use their services again.
David Bone
Director of Learning, Inside Academy
Great event, well-paced and good level of knowledge of the principles of procedural justice and how to apply them. I feel confident going forward to deliver this training myself now, but also in how to apply this in my own professional practice.

This training has surpassed my expectations. The intricacy of detail around each procedural justice principle, and the consequences and the research to back it up helped solid learning.

Fantastic training, informative and immediately safe environment for learning and questioning. Great practices learnt for my every day, in and out of work.

The passion from the trainers was infectious. They were very knowledgeable and encouraging. They were inclusive and made everyone feel valued.
HM Prison and Probation Service
Frontline prison officers/mentors & probation practice improvement leads