Higher Education Pathways within the Midlands Region

The Midlands Consortium currently manages the Higher Education Pathways of the new Probation Qualification Awards for the eight East and West Midlands Trusts.

The Trusts are:

  • Derbyshire
  • Lincolnshire
  • Leicestershire
  • Northamptonshire
  • Nottinghamshire
  • Warwickshire
  • West Mercia
  • Staffordshire and West Midlands

The key pathways managed under the PQA are Foundation Degree Part One and Part Two, Honours Degree Part Three, Graduate Diploma Part One and Part Two.

The Consortium acts as the single point of contact between Trusts and De Montfort University (HE provider), as well as delivering a range of Skills Workshops for the PSO learners on each of the HE Pathways. These are as follows:

Foundation Degree Part One:

  • Theory to Practice / Reflective Practice - 1 day

Foundation Degree Part Two:

  • Diversity - 1 day
  • Court Presentation Skills - 1 day
  • FDR Training - 2 days
  • Extremism - 1 day
  • Offenders with Learning Differences -  1 day
  • Offender Management (Chairing Sentence Planning Meetings) - 1 day

Honours Degree Part Three:

  • SDR Preparation -  1 day
  • Challenging Inequality - 1 day

Currently under preparation:

  • Sex Offenders
  • Working with denial
  • Working with high risk
  • MAPPA
  • Substance Misuse
  • Child Protection
  • Women Offenders

The Consortium also provide guidance documents to Trusts on most aspects of the programme.

Some key guidance documents are:

  • Part time staff and the PQA HE Pathways
  • Line Manager Guidance
  • Formal Review Guidance
  • Case Sampling Guidance and Proforma
  • Diversity – Integration of Academic Curriculum and Practice.

Learning Outcomes for Foundation Degree Part Two:

Diversity

  • You will have reviewed previous learning on the programme in relation to diversity.
  • You will be able to apply your learning in order to identify good practice issues in relation to discriminatory language in report writing.
  • You will be able to identify the potentially negative outcomes of working on the basis of fear and assumptions.
  • You will create an action plan which identifies how you will take personal responsibility for promoting diversity issues in the workplace, and outlines your future learning needs.

Offenders with Learning Difficulties

  • Have knowledge of what defines a Learning Difficulty
  • Have an increased awareness of the diversity issues surrounding offenders with Learning Difficulties
  • Be able to identify offenders with potential Learning Difficulties
  • Be able to communicate effectively with offenders with Learning Difficulties
  • Have a knowledge of resources for offenders with Learning Difficulties and referral issues.

Offender Management

  • Understand the key tasks of OM and the role of the offender manager in risk assessment, sentence planning and implementation
  • Identify the key techniques in project management
  • Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of ensuring clarity of meeting outcomes
  • Demonstrate a commitment to act in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures related to promoting equality and valuing diversity.

Extremism

  • Have an awareness of the historical context of extremism
  • Be aware of relevant legislation, statistics, government strategy & relevant agencies
  • Be informed about myths regarding Islam & Muslims
  • Be aware of theory of Radicalisation
  • Be able to identify own role.

Court Presentation Skills

  • Identify the key personnel in court and their respective roles
  • Explain the key elements of court etiquette
  • Explain court terminology
  • Identify the role of the probation service officer in court and the expectations upon them
  • Outline the key steps in a court case
  • Present themselves appropriately when speaking in court
  • Formulate a learning action plan to develop themselves within their role.

FDR Preparation

  • Understand the key good practice principles in the planning, compilation and presentation of FDRs
  • Understand the information required for particular types of reports, including issues of risk and criminogenic need
  • Develop the interviewing skills to elicit this information
  • Understand and use the OASYs Risk of Harm screening
  • Demonstrate the skills required to identify the need for a further risk assessment and understand how to refer to the appropriate person
  • Recognise and rehearse FDR completing skills.