Please select a sub-section from the list below.

• PQF Introduction
• Probation Qualifications Framework
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Area Recruitment (Including Direct Links to Area Websites)

Frequently Asked Questions

 Questions

1. When can I apply for the PQF?
    
2. How can I apply and what will the application process be? - Updated (24^th May 2010)
    
3. Can I apply for the Graduate Diploma route if I have done a Combined Honours Degree involving Criminology, Criminal Justice, Community Justice or Police Studies? - Updated (24^th May 2010)
    
4. Will details of vacancies be advertised on the NWTC website as well as the area trust I want to apply for?
    
5. Can I apply to more than one area as was the case under the former process for TPOs?
    
6. Can the NWTC website provide any information on types of voluntary work that would be useful for applicants to have?
    
7. Can you explain the difference between the role of a PSO and a Probation Officer?
    
8. Will I be able to download the application form and apply electronically, and can I be contacted by e-mail when vacancies become available?
    
   
   Updated (24^th May 2010)
    
9. When will the next intake be?
    
10. I am currently undertaking my NVQ Level 3 / Certificate in Higher Education and may not have completed it by the closing date for applications. Can I still apply?
     
11. Will everyone who passes the Assessment Centre be offered a place?
     
12. I may be eligible to apply for more than one pathway. Should I complete an application form for each pathway?
     
13. I will not be able to attend an assessment centre as I am on leave. Will there be future dates provided?
     
    
    Updated (27^th May 2010)
     
14. What does the Assessment Centre consist of?
     
15. Will you acknowledge receipt of my application form?
     
16. I work part-time. Can I undertake this qualification?
     
    
    Updated (3^rd August 2010)
     
17. I have been told by my HR department that I have passed the assessment centre. I still have a number of questions about this:
    
    
    1. When will I start the Programme?
        
    2. Will I be given more information about this?
        
    3. How much study time will I be allowed?
    
     
18. I am a newly appointed PSO, working part-time. I have been told that I have to achieve the mandatory Level 3 Diploma in Probation Practice. Do I have to complete this in 12 months?
     
19. As an existing PSO, I am currently undertaking my Certificate in Higher Education. I have heard that after April 2011, this may not exempt me from Part 1 of the Honours Degree. Is this correct?
     

Answers

1. When can I apply for the PQF?
   Adverts for the PQF will be advertised during May 2010 for PSO positions across the North West region. Look at the NWTC's website & the Probation Trust area you want to apply for in May. These websites will be updated regularly whenever fresh information is available. Please note not all Probation Trusts in the NW region will be taking external applicants on this occasion.
    
2. How can I apply and what will the application process be?
   A regional team across the North West region is currently working on the recruitment process. The process is likely to begin with completion of an application form which will be available from the Probation Area Trust you wish to apply to once it has been advertised. Information about what else will be involved will be available when the posts are advertised in May.
   
   Updated (24^th May 2010) - For further information about the process and candidate briefing dates please see the May 2010 PQF update
   
    
3. Can I apply for the Graduate Diploma route if I have done a Combined Honours Degree involving Criminology, Criminal Justice, Community Justice or Police Studies?
   No. As things stand, to enter the PQF at the graduate entry level, your degree has to be a full degree in the above four mentioned subjects & you must have achieved it within the last 5 years. This may be reviewed so keep checking this FAQ sheet as it will be altered to reflect changes.
   
   Updated (24^th May 2010) - There may be some movement on this as the Probation Qualifications Assurance Board has been asked for more guidance regarding Combined Honours Degrees and the currency of degrees. The advice for potential candidates with joint/honours degrees in these subjects therefore, is to submit an application at this stage  and their qualifications will be scrutinised during the selection process.
   
    
4. Will details of vacancies be advertised on the NWTC website as well as the area trust I want to apply for?
   Yes, but keep checking both rather than relying on just one.
    
5. Can I apply to more than one area as was the case under the former process for TPOs?
   This has yet to be decided so keep checking this FAQ sheet. The advert will also clarify this.
    
6. Can the NWTC website provide any information on types of voluntary work that would be useful for applicants to have?
   Individual area trusts will have details on their websites if they are seeking volunteers. In terms of applying for the PQF, you do not necessarily need to have worked directly with offenders, but experience of working with people with social difficulties such as drugs, alcohol, mental health etc is beneficial.
    
7. Can you explain the difference between the role of a PSO and a Probation Officer?
   Both roles involve working with offenders, but the main difference is that a Probation Officer works with higher risk offenders and undertakes more complex tasks in the form of writing detailed reports for courts and parole boards etc. This is a very simplistic  explanation as there is more to it than this but more detail is beyond the scope of this FAQ.
    
8. Will I be able to download the application form and apply electronically, and can I be contacted by e-mail when vacancies become available?
   Yes the application form and information should be downloadable & it is likely that it can be submitted electronically, but this will be confirmed in the advert. We are not in a position to notify anyone interested in applying via e-mail so please keep checking this website & that of the Probation Trust you want to apply to.
    
   
   Updated (24^th May 2010)
   
   
9. When will the next intake be?
   No final decision has been made about the next intake. Depending on the outcome of this process, consideration may be given to having a small intake in April.
   However, it is not anticipated at this stage that another regional assessment centre will be held within the next 12 months.
    
10. I am currently undertaking my NVQ Level 3 / Certificate in Higher Education and may not have completed it by the closing date for applications. Can I still apply?
    You should seriously consider submitting an application at this stage even if you have not completed your qualification. If you subsequently pass the assessment centre you may be offered a place immediately or at a later date, depending on numbers and successful completion of your current qualification.
     
11. Will everyone who passes the Assessment Centre be offered a place?
    Not necessarily. There are a limited number of places for each area so you will be in competition with other applicants.
     
12. I may be eligible to apply for more than one pathway. Should I complete an application for for each pathway?
    No. You should only complete one form but indicate that you wish to be considered for more than one pathway.
     
13. I will not be able to attend an assessment centre as I am on leave. Will there be further dates provided?
    The dates of the assessment centre have been set and large venues booked for the written exercise and group discussion. Unfortunately these exercises cannot be undertaken on other dates. .
     
    
    Updated (27^th May 2010)
    
    
14. What does the Assessment Centre consist of?
    Following the marking if application forms, those invited to the assessment centre will firstly undertake a:
    
    
    • written exercise; and a
    • group discussion.
       
    Those who are successful will go on to undertake an interview conducted by their employer.
    For Graduate Diploma applicants only, there will be an unseen presentation in addition to the interview.
     
15. Will you acknowledge receipt of the application form?
    Those submitting their application electronically by e-mail will receive a reply confirming receipt. This is the preferred method of submission. Those submitting applications by post should enclose a stamped, addressed postcard to enable confirmation of receipt.
     
16. I work part-time. Can I undertake this qualification?
    A part-time route for each of the PQF pathways has been validated by Sheffield Hallam University. University regulations however, require programmes to be completed within six years. You should speak to your HR department for further guidance.
     
    
    Updated (3^rd August 2010)
    
     
17. I have been told by my HR department that I have passed the assessment centre. I still have a number of questions about this:
    
    
    1. When will I start the Programme?
       If you have been selected for part 1 or part 2 of the Honours Degree route, your academic part of the programme will begin at the end of September. Those doing the Graduate Diploma will start their academic programme in April 2011.
       In terms of the vocational qualifications, those on part 2 of the Honours Degree and those on the Graduate Diploma pathways will start their Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice in October 2010.  
        
    2. Will I be given more information about this?
       Everyone who is starting on the Honours Degree or Graduate Diploma pathway will be expected to attend an Induction Day at Manchester Metropolitan University on 17^th September. Your line manager will also be invited to attend. You and your line manager will be given further information about the programme and a copy of the programme handbook which will contain all the guidance you will require at this stage of your training.  
        
    3. How much study time will I be allowed?
       The Learning Agreement will identify how much learning time you will be given, along with the other expectations of the programme and responsibilities of everyone involved in your qualification. This will be signed by all parties, following the Induction Day.
    
     
18. I am a newly appointed PSO, working part-time. I have been told that I have to achieve the mandatory Level 3 Diploma in Probation Practice. Do I have to complete this in 12 months?
    The Regulatory Framework requires all newly appointed PSOs to complete this qualification within 12 months of appointment, with pro-rata arrangements being made for part-time staff. Depending on your hours of work, therefore, you will be given a longer period of time to complete this qualification. You should talk to your HR department about this.
     
19. As an existing PSO, I am currently undertaking my Certificate in Higher Education. I have heard that after April 2011, this may not exempt me from Part 1 of the Honours Degree. Is this correct?
    There is a national interim arrangement which allows for people who have gained a Higher Certificate without a full Level 3 in Community Justice to be exempted from part 1 of the Honours Degree until April 2011. In the North West, however, those who have undertaken a Certificate in Higher Education with Portsmouth university will also have achieved a full Level 3 NVQ and Sheffield Hallam University has confirmed that this will continue to provide exemption from part 1 after April 2011.