The adequacy of generic social work values as a framework for probation practice has been a contested area over the years and recent changes in the structure of probation practice have added a particular focus to the debate. The purpose of this paper is to summarise the recent history of the debate and to reflect on the current position for practitioners. This is done by examining three pieces of guidance given to probation officers about what values should inform their day-to-day practice: the Regulatory Framework for the Diploma in Probation Studies (1998), the Practice Guide published by NAPO (2000) and A New Choreography published by the National Probation Service (2001).