Knowledge and the Probation Service Raising Standards for Trainees, Assessors and Practitioners

by Whitehead, Philip; Thompson, Jamie

• ISBN13: 9780470092040
• ISBN10: 0470092041
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-07-30
• Publisher: WILEY

Summary

This textbook is designed to help trainee probation officers with the Diploma in Probation Studies, especially with the NVQ elements and making the link to the degree programme in probation. Written by Philip Whitehead and Jamie Thompson, each with over 25 years' experience of the probation service, it will also be valuable to those assessing and managing trainees.Opening with an historical overview of training in probation, the book moves on to examine aspects of the NVQ, report writing, information for Practice Development Assessors, how to put training into practice once qualified, and beyond the codification of knowledge to vocational excellence as a probation officer.Teaching and learning features include: Chapter menus and summaries Further reading Glossary Appendices Timely and relevant, Knowledge and the Probation Service: Raising standards for trainees, assessors and practitioners will stimulate and motivate trainees, offer food for thought for those involved in the planning and development of probation training, and will contribute to the wider debate about the nature of probation identity in these changing times for the service.

Author Biography

<b>Philip Whitehead</b> has worked for the Teesside Probation Service since 1981. He has published several books and articles in relation to probation, community supervision of offenders, temporary release schemes and reconviction, and managing the probation service. Since 2001 he has been working as Senior Practice Development Assessor, which involves teaching and coaching trainees undertaking the Diploma in Probation Studies to prepare them to work as probation officers. <p> <b>Jamie Thompson</b> worked for Northumbria Probation Service for 19 years. He has been involved in the training of probation officers as a practice teacher, training manager and joint appointment. He was course leader for the probation degree and coordinating Internal Verifier for the Community Justice NVQ Assessment Centre at Northumbria University. He is currently Principal Lecturer and Learning and Teaching Coordinator and a joint manager of the Community Safety Research Unit. He is an active researcher and has published in relation to probation, community safety, and teaching and learning issues.

Table of Contents

About the authors

Preface

Acknowledgements

Training and knowledge in probation: A historical overview

Introduction

Emergence of probation

Training in the early years

The need for training gathers pace

The first Home Office Training Scheme

Casework in probation

The 1940s and beyond

The implications of empirical research

Towards the present

From generic to specialised training in the 1990s

Conclusion

Summary

Further reading

Knowledge in vocational education

Towards an understanding of change

Knowledge and competence

The knowledge economy

Theory and practice: Knowledge for work

From codification to learning

Feelings: Last but not least

Summary

Further reading

The Diploma in Probation Studies

Introduction

Occupational Standards

NVQs

PDAs

Assessment and knowledge

Analysing the knowledge requirements

Summary

Further reading

Knowledge resources for trainees: Help with the NVQ

Introduction

Victims

Explaining offending behaviour: The search for patterns

The probation service and legislation 1861-2001

Local area policies and guidelines

Professional values

Risk assessment

Effective practice/methods of working

Communication

Enforcement and compliance

Self-reflection and personal development

Confidentiality

Conclusion

Summary

Knowledge resources for trainees: Writing quality Pre-Sentence Reports

Introduction

Rationale

Defining quality

Process

Content of PSRs

Key features in report writing

Reports and race

The sentencing framework

Implications for reports: Points to emphasise

Nil reports

Conclusion

Summary of available sentences

Additional requirements

Strategy for learning how to write reports

Summary

Further reading

The Practice Development Assessor: Producing quality probation officers

Introduction

The role of the PDA

NVQ Assessor

Internal Verifier

Three PDA models

Reflections on the role

Knowledge as a multifaceted concept

Knowledge typology for probation practice

Elements of a training strategy

Conclusion: Further reflections on the NVQ

Summary

Further reading

Being a probation officer

Introduction

Continuing professional development

Learning in practice

Emotional development

Personal values

Probation values

Being a probation officer

Summary

Further reading

From competence to excellence: Going beyond the codification of knowledge

Summary of Chapters 1-7

Going beyond minimum knowledge requirements

Threats to knowledge

The PDA-TPO dynamic

Suggestions for further improvements

Final comments

Summary

Appendices

Influences that have shaped five key phases of probation history

Criminological perspectives: Help for practitioners

Client or offender: The labelling perspective

Joining loose wires to make connections: Developing practice awareness

Methods of working with offenders

Differentiating the 'what' from the 'how' of practice

Glossary

References

Index

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