Probation

Circular

AWARDS FOR SKILLS GAINED REFERENCE NO:

WHILST ON ACCREDITED 69/2005

PROGRAMMES ISSUE DATE:

25 August 2005
PURPOSE
To inform Areas of developments regarding making nationally recognised IMPLEMENTATION DATE:
accreditation of learning available to offenders undertaking offending
Immediate
behaviour programmes.
EXPIRY DATE:
ACTION
August 2008
Chief Officers should:
(1) Distribute this circular to the relevant staff in their areas.
TO:
(2) Complete and return the questionnaire at Appendix A.
Chairs of Probation Boards
SUMMARY Chief Officers of Probation
This circular alerts Areas to the National Probation Directorate’s plans to Secretaries of Probation Boards
develop a national and consistent framework for recognising learning and
skills gained by offenders whilst attending accredited programmes. It seeks CC:
to collate information about what Areas have already developed locally and Board Treasurers
views about how this project could serve to launch similar mapping of Regional Managers
learning and skills for other interventions. The rationale for the adopted
approach and choice of awarding body are explained within the circular. AUTHORISED BY:
Similarly longer term changes in the qualifications framework. Sarah Mann, Head of
Interventions Unit
RELEVANT PREVIOUS PROBATION CIRCULARS
PC58/2005, PC11/2004, PC12/2004, PC21/2004, PC30/2004, PC32/2004 ATTACHED:
Appendix A (part of Word file)
CONTACT FOR ENQUIRIES
Offender learning, Julie Welch, 020 7217 8958
GOBP mapping, Diane Anderson, 020 7217 8895

National Probation Directorate

Horseferry House, Dean Ryle Street, London, SW1P 2AW
Context

In 2004/5 over 15,000 offenders under the supervision of the National Probation Service completed an accredited
offending behaviour programme. Each completion represents a significant learning experience for the participants
concerned. Whilst achievement is celebrated on a local basis, no nationally recognised system of accrediting the
programmes’ learning outcomes has yet been developed.

In considering the appropriate approach to adopt it was considered unhelpful to undertake development work looking at
offender-specific work in isolation from a wider context of ongoing learning and skill development in the community.
Since one of the important aims of the Probation Service is to improve offenders' prospects of gaining and sustaining
employment, there is a clear need to establish the learning gained from an intervention undertaken with the Service into
this broader context. NPD has therefore begun to explore how an existing nationally recognised system of credit might
be applied to the offending behaviour programmes learning outcomes. This is being done in collaboration with the
National Open College Network (NOCN) which is one of the main providers of accreditation services for adult learning
and a recognised national qualification awarding body. All NOCN qualifications are listed in the National Qualification
Framework and therefore draw down Learning Skills Council (LSC) funding, thereby enabling areas to access sources of
funding.

Unlike other awarding bodies all NOCN qualifications are already delivered within a credit-based, unitised framework.
This approach most closely reflects the proposed structure for the developing Framework of Achievement, a new national
system for recognising learner achievement, which is due to be established by 2010. This will replace the existing
National Qualifications Framework. The intention of the new framework is to be more inclusive through additional
recognition of a wider range of learning outcomes undertaken in different setting alongside all the nationally recognised
and familiar qualifications.

Discussions have commenced with London OCN, who are responsible for the national OCN lead for offender learning.
Initially exploration of key learning and skills from the General Offending Behaviour Programmes (Think First, Enhanced
Thinking Skills, One To One) is being mapped against units in the existing suite of NOCN Progression Qualifications,
which are due to sit with the Framework for Achievement. A number of benefits are anticipated from aligning GOBP
learning outcomes with the Progression Qualification units. Each successful learner on a NOCN accredited course earns
credits for the work done. These are described in terms of the National Qualifications Framework levels. In addition to
achieving units learners would also get a nationally recognised QCA approved progression Qualification certificate. This
certificate and the credits achieved can be used by an individual to move on to a higher level of learning inside and / or
outside of the Criminal Justice Sector. This could potentially be into Higher Education, or to prove to an employer that
new skills and knowledge have been gained.

It is increasingly recognised that value can be added to the delivery of offending behaviour programmes and several
Probation Areas are already undertaking parallel developments. Some of this work involves consideration of how other
learning can be delivered alongside offending behaviour programmes either to support access to the programmes, for
example literacy work with and individual, or to enhance personal development through delivery of one of the wider key
skills such as ‘Working with Others’. Other Areas are exploring how the offending behaviour programmes themselves
might be accredited or contribute to a proposal, like that of the NOCN, which could lead to accreditation.

It is recognised that these developments represent a significant investment on the part of some areas in terms of time and
resources. Therefore a clear need exists to learn from this and to build on existing experience. The implementation of
the Offender Learning and Skills Service (OLASS) supports the development of a national approach to the accreditation
of learning. This is in order to ensure consistency of opportunity and approach across all Areas and, ultimately between
custody and the community.

In order to avoid duplicating activities and to inform the next steps NPD would like to gather as much data as possible
about what has already been achieved and what is proposed by Areas to date. Views on the proposed developments are
also sought. Areas are asked to complete and return the questionnaire attached at Appendix A by the 23rd September.

PC69/2005 – Awards for skills gained whilst on Accredited Programmes 2

APPENDIX A

ACCREDITATION OF OFFENDER LEARNING ON OFFENDING BEHAVIOUR PROGRAMMES QUESTIONNAIRE

Please complete and return to: Julie Welch

Room 210
Horseferry House
Dean Ryle Street
LONDON
SW1P 2AW

1 What offending behaviour programmes do you deliver in your Area?

2 Do you currently offer offenders additional accreditation opportunities through attendance at OBP sessions (e.g. a
national literacy or numeracy test) and how is this delivered?

3 Do you, or one of your providers, offer OCN accreditation for any aspect of learning undertaken by offenders on a
voluntary basis or as part of a sentence? Please give details. (We would be interested to hear about accreditation
available to offenders undertaking VSL as part of unpaid work.)

PC69/2005 – Awards for skills gained whilst on Accredited Programmes 3

 4 Have you, or one of your providers, developed supporting materials contextualised to an OBP which help offenders
with low skills levels to access the programmes? Please give details.

5 What are your views on using the NOCN Progression Qualification units to accredit learning and skills that are
developed through the offending behaviour programmes?

6 Do you think there are any other areas of NPS work that could / should be developed in terms of making national
accreditation available? Why?

Please attach and secure additional sheets if necessary.

PC69/2005 – Awards for skills gained whilst on Accredited Programmes 4