The Diploma in Probation Studies is the professional qualification that confers Probation Officer status on successful trainees subject to employment by a Probation Board.  The Diploma is an integrated academic and vocational  qualification that requires trainees to achieve a Higher Education Degree which includes a Community Justice NVQ, comprised of relevant units from the Community Justice Occupational Standards.

The Programme in Wales has been approved by the National Offender Management Service which has contracted with the University of Wales Newport, for the delivery of a BA (Hons.) in Community Justice (Probation).  The degree is validated by the University of Wales and is partly delivered by staff from the University of Wales, Bangor.

Teaching methods will include distance learning, all Wales residential workshops and lectures at Gregynog, near Newtown in Mid Wales, (18 days in total during the training period), and attendance at University of Wales Newport, Allt yr yn Campus, or University of Wales Bangor.

There are two phases of the Degree Programme each of which is divided into two parts.

PHASE ONE

The programme commences on 20 September followed by a 3-day residential from the 24–26 September, which takes place at Gregynog, Newtown, Powys.

A. Foundation Practice

This comprises fifty per cent of Phase One of the Degree Programme and involves working in a Probation Office under the guidance and tuition of a Line Manager and a Practice Development Assessor, who will be an experienced Probation Officer. This Assessor will also take responsibility for your NVQ development in Phase Two.  It will be the Assessor’s role to liaise with your Manager as to the appropriate areas of work for you to perform in order to complement the academic learning that is taking place and in order to gather evidence of your ability to produce work at this stage.

B. Academic Work

This will be delivered at the University of Wales Newport or the University of Wales Bangor, and will involve input under the following headings in the core curriculum:

• Orientation to the Criminal Justice System, Offender Management and Legal Institutions
• Values, Ethics and Diversity
• Introduction to Crime and Criminology
• Psychology – Cognitive/Behavioural/Developmental and Reducing Re-offending
• Social Context Crime and Social Policy
• The Learning Process and Professional Development
• Foundation Skills and Methods, including assessment and communication skills

The timetable involves trainees in foundation practice at their office base, one-day leaning support/private study and up to one day a week at the University. There will be one further Residential workshop and lectures taking place during Phase One.

Only upon successful completion of Phase One will trainees move on to Phase Two.

PHASE TWO

Phase Two commences with Residential Teaching at Gregynog, and three further residential events will take place during this Phase.

A.  Practice Development

The Trainee Probation Officer will undertake the work of a Probation Officer under supervision of a Line Manager and a Practice Development Assessor in order to gather evidence of competence to satisfy the Level 4 NVQ Community Justice Unit requirements.

Each successful applicant is, upon appointment, registered with City & Guilds who are the current NVQ Awarding Body for Level 4 Community Justice Awards for the Wales Trainee Probation Officer programme.

In Phase Two of the Degree Programme and under the guidance and assessment of a Practice Development Assessor, Trainees will develop a portfolio of evidence of competence to perform to specific criteria within the twelve units of the Level 4 Community Justice Award which are mandatory for Trainee Probation Officers.

Titles of NVQ Units Leading to the Level 4 Award for Trainee Probation Officers

Practice Development will normally comprise fifty per cent of Phase Two.  Academic progression and improvement is assessed through the knowledge and understanding requirements of the NVQ. 

B.   Academic Work

• The Social Context of Offending and Criminogenic Needs
  
  
• Understanding and applying theory and research in relation to types of offence and categories of offenders
  
  
• Crime and Criminology
  
  
• The Legal and Policy Framework
  
  
• Developing Effective Practice
  
  
• Addressing Crime and its Effects on Victims
  
  
• Assessing Offending Behaviour and Risk of Harm
  
  
• Addressing Offending Behaviour and Managing Risk of Harm
  
  
• Managing Offenders and Implementing Sentences
  
  Working in an Inter-agency and Organisational and Community Context.

It may be possible to claim credit for prior learning (APL) and prior certificated learning (APCL).  Details of the availability of such credit will be advised to successful candidates on appointment to the trainee scheme.

The Higher Education Institution will have an involvement in the recruitment and selection process to ensure that an applicant has the potential either to study to undergraduate level or that they have the equivalent of 2 A Levels.

The award of the Diploma in Probation Studies will only be made upon successful completion of both the NVQ and the Degree as an integrated process.

Whilst the Wales Training Consortium will attempt to keep disruption to a minimum, trainees in Wales must accept that studying for this degree will involve some residential academic input, regular travel and will need a personal commitment to managing one’s own learning.