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Norfolk & Suffolk Probation Services Community Punishment Pathfinder

Norfolk & Suffolk are piloting a scheme for skills training and accreditation.

The pilot started in April 2000 and operates at three out of five locations in Norfolk and one out of three locations in Suffolk. The evaluation includes all Community Punishment cases in those locations, with cases in the remaining parts of the Areas being used to provide a control group. The target intake sample of 150 cases was achieved by June 2001 with orders to be completed by November 2001.

Each Area has a single SPO responsible for all Community Punishment staff, and Norfolk has a Pathfinder Project Officer to coordinate the pilot work across the three locations. The two Areas employ various patterns of CSO and supervisor staffing in the project. Various staff have gained City & Guilds D32, D33 or D34 assessor awards.

This project builds upon work first piloted in Norfolk in 1997. Skills training and accreditation is targeted at those cases with employment related needs identified in an initial assessment undertaken at the start of all Community Punishment orders. A minimum order length of 60 hours is required to ensure sufficient time to complete the training portfolio. Since there is a significant correlation between unemployment and offending, it is hoped that by improving offender’s employability the project will increase the likelihood of them obtaining stable employment and thereby reduce the likelihood of further offending.

Offenders work towards gaining a pre NVQ “Foundation Training Award” through the local College of West Anglia. A portfolio of evidence is built up from a range of criteria including Key Skills relating to general employability, skills in specific vocational areas, and the potential for further learning. The assessment is task based and the offender does not have to complete the portfolio on a single work project.

Training takes the form of guided learning while performing Community Punishment work and does not form part of the 10% allowance within an order for non work activity. Assessment is done by CP supervisors with the appropriate D32 / D33 assessor qualification, with supervisors taking a lead and undertaking internal verification supported by the college. The college is responsible for external moderation of assessments. The training units gained are portable into further training undertaken with a college after the Community Punishment order, and offenders are encouraged and supported to explore this further.

An interim report on the initial findings of the projects has now been published. Copies of the Executive Summary are available from the NPD e-mail address below. A full evaluation report will be published in March 2002 to report on the findings of all the Community Punishment Pathfinder Projects; with a reconviction analysis following in 2003. Given its initial success the Area will continue to operate Community Punishment on the project model until it is incorporated into a new national framework for CP in the future.

Further information 

Charles Ramshaw, Senior Probation Officer,  Norfolk
Kelly Parker, Senior Probation Officer  Suffolk	01473 408160
Steve Woodgate, Pathfinder Development Manager, National Probation Directorate	020 7217 0684 steve.woodgate@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

Last update: 16/09/03