New degree for probation officers
Posted on 07. Jun, 2010 by admin in Criminology
Up to two hundred probation staff across England and Wales will benefit each year from new degree courses which will train them to manage risk of serious harm and reduce the impact of criminal behaviour.
The new specially tailored courses run by the University of Portsmouth will include units on strategies to reduce the risk of offending, understanding crime and criminal behaviour, risk management, substance abuse and managing dangerous offenders.
Training is delivered by lecturers from the University’s Institute of Criminal Justice Studies who have previously worked in the probation service. The courses are available to current probation staff and those interested in joining the probation service as graduates. It marks the first time that an in-service route to full professional qualification has been available for existing Probation Service Officer (PSO) grade staff.
Barrie Crook, Chief Probation Officer from Hampshire Probation Trust said: “Probation Service staff perform an important role in our community, helping to protect the public and working to rehabilitate offenders. I’m delighted that they are to have this new training opportunity. Distance learning courses are highly flexible and allow individuals to manage their own learning around their work commitments and home lives.”
Students will complete a structured e-learning programme comprising specially tailored electronic materials and interactive exercises, supported by online seminars, regional workshops, one-to-one support and on-the-job training.
Those with a relevant undergraduate degree will study for a Graduate Diploma in Community Justice over a 15-month period. Students with no prior relevant qualifications will study for an honours degree in Community Justice completed over 27 months. Both qualifications are designed to be undertaken while in full-time employment and will lead to a full professional qualification as a probation officer.
The University will train probation staff from five regions including the South East, the South West, the North East, Wales and London under a contract with the National Offender Management Service.
Director of the University’s Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, Steve Savage, said: “We’re extremely pleased to be offering a full honours degree to raise the bar on the level of training available to probation service staff.”
