Her Majesty’s Prisons and Probation Service is currently reviewing the training pathway to becoming a probation officer and will soon announce the new structure of training. DMU, one of the three universities that are contracted to provide the Level 6 PQiP will continue to provide this qualification. We have temporarily decided not to start new candidates on the Level 4 and 5 qualifications before the structure of the new qualification is announced. Once the announcement is made, we will inform potential candidates about any significant changes to the pathway. In the meantime, the Community Justice Team continue to welcome enquiries about our programmes and are happy to discuss developing a career in the probation service with potential students/candidates.
DMU offers several pathways to qualifying as a Probation Officer through a flexible approach and multiple entry points depending on your level of qualification and experience. The Community Justice programme consists of assessed knowledge and awards at three levels:
- Level 4 Access Pathway
- Level 5 Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE) in Community Justice
- Level 6 Professional Qualification in Probation
Please check the Entry Requirements for each level to identify where you think you should start your community justice pathway. For all pathways, please complete the application form and submit it to probation@dmu.ac.uk.
Your application will be assessed based on the information you provide on the application form, including your evidence of prior learning; offers of a place on the community justice pathways may be conditional on you completing elements of lower levels in the scheme. Level 6 is only available to individuals who have secured a sponsored place with either HMPPS or a Community Rehabilitation Company.
The Community Justice Team possess a wealth of knowledge and experience of community justice and probation practice. Drawing on professional experiences as Probation Officers and managers of probation services, the delivery team provide invaluable insights into practice that facilitate learners making connections between the theories they are learning and their application in a practical setting.
Our programme draws on the practice and teaching expertise of our academic staff to deliver exciting and popular community justice learning pathways. The division prides itself on meeting the needs of employment partners, for example by awarding credit for assessed practice, by offering flexible timetables and by including both student and employer representatives in all decision making about our curriculum. We are one of only three universities contracted to deliver probation training throughout England and Wales, having been awarded the contract to deliver the Professional Qualification in Probation for the Midlands region.
Her Majesty Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) has consistently rated our training of probation officers as outstanding. In the Teaching Excellence Framework 2017, De Montfort University was praised for the wide range of student support available, our facilities and resources and the culture that encourages, recognises and rewards excellent teaching. We were commended for the way employability is embedded in the curriculum in every faculty, the significant contribution DMU Square Mile makes to the social and economic development of Leicester and the way that real-world research feeds into students’ learning.
Funding
Funding may be available for candidates employed in the community justice sector, either through Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service or a Community Rehabilitation Company. If you intend to fund your studies through sponsorship from your employer, please ensure that you have confirmed this arrangement prior to enrolling on your programme. You will be asked to provide evidence to confirm your sponsorship at the point of enrolment, If you are unable to do so, you will be asked to pay any fees related to your programme.
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