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

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.

Philip Whitehead 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.

Jamie Thompson 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.