The project for the replacement of the PQF with a new training scheme called Community Justice Learning is to be reviewed.
"The Secretary of State (SoS) for Justice has commissioned a review of probation qualifications and training. The SoS is very interested in this work and has commissioned Sir Martin Narey to undertake the review. He has requested that the procurement exercise for Community Justice Learning contracts is paused while Sir Martin Narey conducts the review. We do not know the timetable for the review at this time but will let you know when further information is provided ,,,,"
So read a statement issued by NOMS at the end of last week. The following is a brief expansion on the statement above, based on information gleaned by Napo, coupled to some initial analysis.
Michael Gove visited London Probation recently and amongst others, spoke to some PQF learners. By all accounts he was favourably impressed by what he saw and heard. However, for some reason, this prompted him to have a closer look at Probation training and the review of the PQF. He asked Martin Narey, who is one of the new non-executive directors at the MoJ, to conduct the review. Martin Narey undertook a review of social work training in 2013/14.
This was only reported within NOMS around a fortnight ago but in time to stop the Learning & Development team issuing their Invitation to Tender (ITT) to HEIs (universities) for the new contracts in respect of the academic elements of the training which had been due to be let with an effective start date of April 2016 .
Martin Narey confirmed that he would take up the Secretary of State's invitation around about a week ago and this then became 'official' news at the end of last week.
Nobody yet knows the terms of reference, the extent or the time frame of this review. It could be a short quality assurance exercise or it could be long and fundamental - and of course we also have no idea what Martin Narey might recommend.
At the very least this is a hiccough in the progress of the PQF Review and it seems likely that the new contract for training will not be in place by next April.
Napo is represented on the PQF Review Group. Work has continued against a very tight timetable. There is a complex series of workstreams, but as previously reported, the plans are generally well-made providing a good new basis for future training with greater flexibility and access. Some workstreams will continue (such as the review of Occupational Standards) notwithstanding this new review.
So the project, now known as Community Justice Learning, is paused. How long that pause lasts will be critical, as will the emerging recommendations. The decision of a new SoS to undertake a review of training might normally be seen as perfectly logical, and indeed welcome. What is unfortunate is the timing coming, as it does, right at the point when pre-existing review plans are already so well advanced. One significant risk is that it could result in another training gap just when qualified Probation Officers are in such short supply.
It is too early to know the implications of this review but Napo will continue to engage with planning to ensure comprehensive and sufficient training arrangements for staff across the community justice sector.
A fringe meeting regarding new training arrangements is already planned for Napo AGM and it is anticipated that the situation will be far clearer by then (mid-October)