More than 1,000 future probation officers will be educated by De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) over the next decade after the university secured a major new Ministry of Justice contract.
Beginning this month, the contract will run for up to 10.5 years and cover the Midlands, North East, Yorkshire and the Humber. Every probation officer in England and Wales must complete the Professional Qualification in Probation before they can practise.
As part of that mandatory qualification, DMU will provide the university education that equips future probation officers with the knowledge, skills and evidence-based understanding needed for the role, alongside practical workplace training delivered by HMPPS.
Probation officers work with people who have committed offences, helping them to turn their lives around while reducing the risk of reoffending and keeping communities safe. DMU’s bid highlighted the strength of its proposed teaching, curriculum, learner support and programme delivery.
Rav Briah, subject lead for community justice, said the award recognised 24 years of probation education at DMU.
She said: “It's a fantastic endorsement of the expertise, commitment and passion of our team, who have been educating probation professionals for more than two decades.
"Every probation officer has the opportunity to make a positive difference to people's lives by supporting rehabilitation and helping create safer communities. Knowing we'll help prepare more than 1,000 future professionals over the lifetime of this contract makes this work incredibly rewarding."
"We're absolutely delighted to have been awarded this contract. It recognises the exceptional quality of our teaching and the expertise we've built over many years of educating probation professionals.
"Receiving the highest quality score in the procurement process is a tremendous endorsement of our team. Everyone involved is passionate about this work because we know the difference well-trained probation officers can make to people's lives.
"Every probation officer has the potential to support rehabilitation, reduce reoffending and help create safer communities. Knowing we'll play a role in preparing more than 1,000 future professionals over the lifetime of this contract is incredibly rewarding.
"This is a real boost for the team and a fantastic recognition of DMU's long-standing reputation for excellence in probation education."
An MoJ spokesman said: “Following a competitive and comprehensive procurement process, the Probation Service is very pleased to once again to be working with De Montfort University to deliver the Community Justice Level 6 qualification for trainee probation officers in their contracted lot area.
“The course is a significant part of the Professional Qualification in Probation that His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service sponsors and delivers, which is the recognised statutory qualification required to work as a Probation Officer in England and Wales.”
DMU’s Community Justice Learning team is made up of experienced academics and former probation practitioners.
The Community Justice Learning programme provides the academic element of the Professional Qualification in Probation, equipping learners with the knowledge, critical thinking and evidence-based practice needed to work with people in the criminal justice system.
The award reinforces DMU's reputation as one of the UK's leading providers of probation education and reflects the university's continuing commitment to supporting the development of a highly skilled workforce for the justice sector.
Posted on Friday 4 September 2026