§ Mr. DunnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the recruitment and qualifying training of probation officers.
§ Mr. MacleanA review of the recruitment and qualifying training of probation officers will begin on 3 May. It will be carried out by Miss Vivienne Dews.
The terms of reference are as follows:
Having regard to the probation service statement of purpose, responsibilities and operational goals; the Government's public spending plans and the likely future recruitment needs of the probation service; the competences appropriate for different grades of probation service staff; the need to secure maximum value for money from Home Office expenditure on or in connection with the probation service; the need to secure equality of opportunity for entry to the service; and relevant developments in higher education and vocational training generally;
- (a) to review the present qualification requirements governing appointment as a probation officer, and to consider how they might be changed and entry routes into the service enlarged in order to attract those with relevant experiences while maintaining a skilled and balanced workforce; and
- (b) in the light of (a) to review the present scheme for Home Office sponsorship of students undertaking qualifying training and to consider the extent to which and alternative methods by which funding should support probation service qualifying training.