Community Justice Learning (formerly Probation Qualification)

Tender description

The National Probation Service (NPS) and the HM Prison Service together constitute the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) (hereafter referred to as the Authority), which, through this specification, is seeking to procure from contracted organisations, core elements of a new Probation Officer (PO) training programme and other related elements of a new Community Justice Learning qualifications matrix. The Authority is seeking to build on the strengths of the current Probation Qualification Framework (PQF), taking account of Transforming Rehabilitation (TR) reforms and the resulting multiplicity of providers of probation services. Community Justice Learning (CJL) has been developed to replace the PQF. CJL comprises a flexible, adaptable matrix of qualifications for staff working at a variety of levels of responsibility across the community justice sector. The new Community Justice Learning (CJL) qualification includes a statutory qualification to become a Probation Officer and we are now required to develop and implement systems and process to support and deliver this requirement. It is expected that any resulting contractual agreement will be for 48 months duration (4 years) plus an option to extend for a further 24 months from commencement date. Suppliers will be contracted to provide: 1) The academic elements of a QCF level 6 qualification of 120 credits (National Probation Service will provide the integrated vocational qualification, which will form part of this qualification) 2) A QCF level 5 qualification of 120 credits, including 4 mandatory modules that comprise the knowledge entry requirements for the level 6 programme and which may be undertaken independently of the full 120 credits 3) Assignment/s at QCF level 4 designed to assess the potential of experienced practitioners with a relevant level 3 vocational qualification to progress with advanced standing to undertake the level 5 qualification 4) A gateway process to accredit prior learning and identify those who meet the knowledge entry requirements as well as those who must complete additional module/s to do so. Potential candidates for the level 6 programme will require formal assessment of their prior learning to ensure they meet the minimum knowledge entry requirements. It is envisaged that the supplier shall ensure systems and processes are in place to manage this stage. The supplier shall develop course materials which meet the MoJ aims and objectives set out in the regulatory framework. There shall be a requirement for the necessary accreditation of the learning to the appropriate level, QCF level 6, the CJL qualification, to be applied and any independent assurance shall form part of the supplier obligations. To ensure flexibility of access for learners and to minimise abstraction for the workplace, it is envisaged that providers will make substantial use of distance/distributed learning in delivering the academic programmes set out above.