Justice – Everything you wanted to know about working in Justice

For individuals seeking a career in justice work and learning opportunities in the sector

Produced by: Rachel Candy, The Learning Curve

JUSTICE SECTOR

CONTENTS

Page No:

JUSTICE 2

MOJO 3

SKILLS FOR JUSTICE 5

YOUTH JUSTICE BOARD8

Links to Community Justice Organisations10

CAREERS – what sector are you interested in?12

-Probation Officer13

Key Organisations in the Legal and Human Rights Sector

JUSTICE

-Founded in 1957 JUSTICE is an independent legal human rights organisation working to improve the legal system and quality of justice, in particular by:

  • Promoting human rights
  • Improving the legal system and access to justice
  • Improving criminal justice
  • Raising standards of EU justice and home affairs

-They have a growing and influential membership including barristers, solicitors, voluntary sector workers, and legal professionals.

What They Do

-Currently their work focuses on some key areas including:

  • Human Right Act implementation
  • Criminal justice
  • Discrimination
  • Asylum
  • EU Justice and home affairs
  • Privacy
  • Socio-economic rights
  • Legal system

Support them

-Supporters of JUSTICE are part of an influential and active network promoting human rights and improving the legal system.

-Their members and donors play a vital role in supporting their work and participate in a packed calendar of events, training and conferences.

Visit the JUSTICE website for the latest news updates and the latest developments at JUSTICE and further information about supporting their work and becoming a member. Visit:

MOJO

-MOJO is a human rights organisation, founded by Paddy Joe Hill in 1998 and now a registered Charity (2002). The Charity provides practical support to those affected by wrongful criminal conviction. The Charity operates nationally and has one central office based in Glasgow which controls all regional activities. As a voluntary sector organisation, MOJO relies on the goodwill and passion of those who give their time freely to help people pursue justice through the Courts. In Scotland MOJO heads the OASIS Project. This project provides a one-to-one service helping miscarriage of justice victims adjust to life on the outside. The project is financially supported by the Scottish Government.

-In Scotland, MOJO delivers a post release support service to victims and their families. This project is financially supported by the Scottish Government.

Aims

-To promote good health and improve the conditions of life by the rehabilitation of persons released from custody having been found to be victims of miscarriage of justice.

-To advance education by providing for or promoting victims social reintegration through education and training.

-To assist individuals, their families and organisations in the UK who consider they have been wrongly convicted by providingadvocacy, casework and support in relation to appeals.

Supporting their work

-When someone claims to be wrongly convicted - a trail of misery develops not only for the convicted person, but very often for the family and friends left behind. Bewildered by the complexity of the criminal justice processes and coming to terms with life in prison, those affected need ongoing support and practical advice across a range of issues.

-MOJO needs Volunteers to help with case work, family support, research and fundraising.

-Find out more about Working for MOJO as a Volunteer, visit:

Contact

-If you need help for a miscarriage of justice victim, write to:

-England and Wales Scotland
Miscarriages of Justice OrganisationMiscarriage of Justice Organisation
52, Outmore Road, GMAC Centre, Third Floor,
Sheldon, 34, Albion Street,
BIRMINGHAM GLASGOW
B33 OXL G1 1LH

-0121 789 84430141 552 7253

Visit the MOJO website for further information about working for MOJO as a Volunteer and contact details if you or someone you know is a miscarriageof justice victim. Visit:

SKILLS FOR JUSTICE

What They Do

-Skills for Justice is the sector skills council covering all employers, employees and volunteers working in the UK justice system.

-They provide the support necessary to enable the justice sector to identify its current and future learning needs, to engage more effectively with learning providers in order to meet these needs with high quality development programmes, and to link the acquisition of learning to reputable and valued qualifications.

-We do this through four main work programmes:

  • Engaging with and influencing employers, government departments, devolved administrations and all key partners.
  • Understanding and articulating clearly the current and future skills needs of those working in the Justice sector
  • Developing tools and services to improve the skills of the workforce, working with employers, learning providers and individuals
  • Implementing practical solutions to improve the skills of the workforce, working with employers, learning providers and individuals

-Skills for Justice is registered in England and Wales as JSSC, a company limited by guarantee under Company no 4826715 at Centre Court, Atlas Way, Sheffield S4 7QQ. Skills for Justice is a registered charity in England and Wales (charity no 1107141) and in Scotland (charity no SC38928).

The Justice Sector

-The Justice sector encompasses a wide range of essential public services, delivered by the public, private and voluntary sectors. Half a million people work in the Justice sector, either as employees or volunteers.

Community Justice

  • Community safety and crime prevention
  • Preventing offending and re-offending
  • Services for victims, survivors and witnesses
  • Supervision of offenders in the community
  • Community-based rehabilitation projects

To find out about their work in Community Justice, visit:

Courts Services

  • The judiciary and magistracy
  • Court management and administration

To find out about their work in Courts services, visit:

Custodial Care

  • Detention
  • Secure escort services
  • Prevention of re-offending
  • Electronic monitoring services

To find out about their work in Custodial Care, visit:

Policing and Law Enforcement

  • Maintenance of law and order
  • Prevention and detection of crime
  • Reassurance and support for communities

To find out about their work in Policing & Law Enforcement, visit:

Prosecution Services

  • Production and issue of summonses
  • Preparation of cases for court
  • Public prosecutions

To find out about their work in Prosecution Services, visit:

A wide range of organisations make up the Justice sector, including:

  • Criminal Justice Social Work
  • Courts and Tribunals
  • Forensic Science
  • Police
  • Prisons and other secure detention
  • Private sector companies
  • Probation
  • Prosecution services
  • Voluntary sector agencies

Visit the Skills For Justice website for information across the sector, products and services, information about National Occupational Standards and Qualifications, access to the latest news and events, Career pathway information and to subscribe to Skills For Justice. Visit:

YOUTH JUSTICE BOARD

-The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales (YJB) is an executive non-departmental public body. Our 12 board members are appointed by the Secretary of State for Justice. The YJB oversees the youth justice system in England and Wales. We work to prevent offending and reoffending by children and young people under the age of 18, and to ensure that custody for them is safe, secure, and addresses the causes of their offending behaviour.

The Youth Justice Board work in the following areas (click on links to find out more):

-Accommodation and resettlement -

-Alternatives to custody -

-Custody -

-Diversity -

-Education, training and employment -

-Health -

-Monitoring and improving practice -

-Prevention -

-Research -

-Work with victims -

Their Mission, Vision and Values:

Their mission

-The YJB oversees the youth justice system in England and Wales. They work to prevent offending and reoffending by children and young people under the age of 18, and to ensure that custody for them is safe, secure, and addresses the causes of their offending behaviour.

-Specifically, they:

  • advise theSecretary of State on the operation of, and standards for, the youth justice system
  • monitor the performance of the youth justice system
  • purchase places for, and place, children and young people remanded or sentenced to custody
  • identify and promote effective practice
  • make grants to local authorities and other bodies to support the development of effective practice
  • commission research and publish information.

Their vision

-Their vision is of an effective youth justice system, where:

  • more offenders are caught, held to account for their actions, and stop offending
  • children and young people receive the support they need to lead crime-free lives
  • victims are better supported
  • the public has more confidence in the youth justice system.

Their values

-Everything they do is based upon their core principles.

  • Leadership - they use our influence to help meet their vision for the youth justice system.
  • Partnership - they recognise the value of working with others to help deliver their goals and targets.
  • Teamwork - they encourage people to work within and across boundaries.
  • Openness - they strive to work in an open and straightforward way, and to share information, knowledge, experience and skills.
  • Respect - they value the diversity and experience of all our colleagues and partners. We work to ensure that children and young people who receive youth justice services are treated with respect, and that in turn they respect their community.
  • Trust - they aim to be respected for our integrity, behaviour and commitment.

Visit the Youth Justice Board website for further information including access to their bi-monthly newsletter, subscribe to their e-bulletins, get the latest news and events, get access to their publications, information and resources for children and young people, adults, and victims of crime. Visit:

The Following page shows a list of links to Community Justice Organisations. Please click on the link to access further information about that particular organisation.

Addaction
|
Alcohol Concern

Apex scotland

Commission for Racial Equality

Community Justice Portal

Compass UK

Cranstoun Drug Services

Crime Concern

Datoracle

DrugScope

Extern

Includem

NACRO
|
NAPO

National Probation Directorate

National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse

NIACRO

Probation Boards Association

SACRO

SOVA

Victim Support

Youth Justice Agency Northern Ireland

Youth Offending Teams in England and Wales

Womens aid

CAREERS

Which sector are you interested in?

-Courts – visit for further information on potential employers

-Policing and Law Enforcement – visit for further information on potential employers

-Prisons– visit for further information on potential employers and career paths (Prison Officer)

-Probation – visit for further information on potential employers

-Prosecution– visit for further information on potential employers

-Community Justice and Voluntary Work – visit for further information on potential employers

Probation Officer

Entry Requirements

In England and Wales, probation officers must complete the two-year Diploma in Probation Studies (DipPS), regardless of the subject or level of any previous studies. Those with a first degree will find that the DipPS is, in effect, a second degree.

The diploma is only open to those employed by a probation service as a trainee probation officer (TPO). All TPOs need to be at least 20 years old at the start of the DipPS. There is no upper age limit.

As a general guideline, the following qualifications are also required:

  • candidates under 21 - two A-level passes and three at GCSE, or three at A-level and one at GCSE;
  • candidates over 21 but under 25 - at least five GCSE passes;
  • candidates over 25 - no formal qualifications required, but academic potential will be tested in a written exercise.

All candidates will undertake a rigorous recruitment and selection process, involving presentations, group discussions and psychometric and written tests, before attending a formal interview.

The probation areas of England and Wales are divided into nine separate consortia for the purposes of selection and recruitment. Students may apply to as many of these consortia as they wish. Vacancies are usually advertised in the spring, with successful applicants taking up their posts in October or November. Further information can be obtained by contacting the appropriate consortium in writing. All consortia contact details can be found via the National Probation Service( website.

In Scotland, probation officers are known as criminal justice social workers. Entry is via the four-year honours degree in social work approved by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC - A two-year postgraduate scheme is available for entrants who already possess a degree in another subject. Students train as social workers by working with a local authority and studying at university. Candidates should have some experience in social care to be accepted on both schemes. For further information, contact the SSSC.

If you want to work as a probation officer in Northern Ireland you will need a degree in social work. Potential candidates will need to have some experience of working with offenders and should apply through the UCAS ( indicating criminal justice as their elected area of interest. There is an accelerated two-year route for students who already have a relevant degree. Further information can be obtained from the Probation Board for Northern Ireland (

In all areas of the UK, potential candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

-the ability to relate to others;

-teamworking skills;

-communication skills;

-self-management;

-planning and organisational skills;

-problem-solving ability;

-motivation and commitment.

Training

To qualify as a probation officer in England and Wales, you will need to pass the Diploma in Probation Studies (DipPS). This is a two-year integrated course combining a BA (Hons) degree in Community Justice and a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Community Justice at Level 4.

The DipPS is a mixture of academic teaching and assessed work-based practice. It is offered through regional training consortia (see the National Probation Service(see above) for individual consortium contact details). Throughout the programme, trainee probation officers (TPOs) gain gradual experience in a range of working environments. They should also be fully supported in their development through the supervision of a designated practice development assessor (PDA) who is an experienced probation officer.

Irrespective of where you train, once qualified, continuous professional development (CPD) is encouraged. Secondments may also be offered to spend time working for other agencies, such as in youth offending teams or prisons.

Career Development

Once qualified, the employing probation board will try to find you suitable employment as a main grade officer. Although competition is fierce, qualified probation officers are very much in demand.

Probation officers mainly supervise offenders and work in probation offices. Some, though, may choose to specialise in different areas of probation work, such as:

  • management of approved premises (formerly called hostels): working in approved premises, which provide accommodation for people on bail, people on probation who have problems such as alcoholism or drug addiction, or offenders on parole from prison pending the end of their sentence;
  • prison work: working alongside prison officers and management to help prisoners to return to society, often in education or psychology units;
  • approved programme units: working alongside colleagues in other professions, offering 'proactive' group work for serving offenders;
  • specialist case management teams: working in areas such as drug treatment and testing orders, public protection or sex offending.

There is also an opportunity to work as accredited programme tutors and as practice development assessors, supervising trainees.

Probation staff can also be seconded to work in youth offending teams and a wide range of other crime prevention or partner agencies.

Promotion beyond main grade often involves moving to a managerial level rather than working with offenders and is dependent on experience and ability. Many probation officers prefer to remain 'hands-on' and are happy to stay at main grade level.

The Diploma in Probation Studies (DipPS) is transferable into other areas of social work. Holders of the DipPS (awarded in England and Wales) can also apply to be considered for registration in Scotland.

For further details of Contacts and Resources please visit the Prospects website: Probation officer: Contactsandresources at:

Provided on the ladder4learning website at:

Last revised on: 24th June 2008

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