Community Justice Learning (formerly Probation Qualification)

The National Probation Service (NPS) and the HM Prison Service together constitute the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) (hereafter referred to as the Authority), which, through this specification, is seeking to procure from contracted organisations, core elements of a new Probation Officer (PO) training programme and other related elements of a new Community Justice Learning qualifications matrix. The Authority is seeking to build on the strengths of the current Probation Qualification Framework (PQF), taking account of Transforming Rehabilitation (TR) reforms and the resulting multiplicity of providers of probation services.

Community Justice Learning (CJL) has been developed to replace the PQF. CJL comprises a flexible, adaptable matrix of qualifications for staff working at a variety of levels of responsibility across the community justice

sector. The new Community Justice Learning (CJL) qualification includes a statutory qualification to become a Probation Officer and we are now required to develop and implement systems and process to support and

deliver this requirement. It is expected that any resulting contractual agreement will be for 48 months duration (4 years) plus an option to extend for a further 24 months from commencement date.

Suppliers will be contracted to provide:

1. The academic elements of a QCF level 6 qualification of 120 credits (National Probation Service will provide the integrated vocational qualification, which will form part of this qualification)
2. A QCF level 5 qualification of 120 credits, including 4 mandatory modules that comprise the knowledge entry requirements for the level 6 programme and which may be undertaken independently of the full 120 credits
3. Assignment/s at QCF level 4 designed to assess the potential of experienced practitioners with a relevant level 3 vocational qualification to progress with advanced standing to undertake the level 5 qualification
4. A gateway process to accredit prior learning and identify those who meet the knowledge entry requirements as well as those who must complete additional module/s to do so. Potential candidates for the level 6

programme will require formal assessment of their prior learning to ensure they meet the minimum knowledge entry requirements. It is envisaged that the supplier shall ensure systems and processes are in place to manage this stage.

The supplier shall develop course materials which meet the MoJ aims and objectives set out in the regulatory framework. There shall be a requirement for the necessary accreditation of the learning to the appropriate level, QCF level 6, the CJL qualification, to be applied and any independent assurance shall form part of the supplier obligations.

To ensure flexibility of access for learners and to minimise abstraction for the workplace, it is envisaged that providers will make substantial use of distance/distributed learning in delivering the academic programmes set

out above.

Additional information: The initial contract term will be for 48 months (4 years) with a further option to extend for 24 months (2 years) thus giving a contract life of 6 years should extensions be taken up.

The estimated value of the contract is for £2m per annum giving a total value if all extension options are taken of £12m. The estimated value given is based on historical spend but is subject to change in the future depending on workforce requirements for the Authority.

The Authority is unable to give any guarantees of volumes against lots contained in this tender.

Lots are as follows:

Lot 1 - London; Lot 2 - Midlands; Lot 3 - North East; Lot 4 - North West; Lot 5 South East/Eastern; Lot 6 - South West, Central and Wales

Any resulting contract will also be available for use by Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRC's)

REGISTRATION

The Ministry of Justice will be performing this event through the Legal Aid Agency’s (LAA) portal, Bravo. The e-sourcing portal is an online application that allows all potential suppliers to create and submit their responses to any ITT via the internet rather than in paper form.

To participate in this tender exercise you will need to register on the Bravo portal and accept the User Agreement. Please note: There is also an MoJ user Agreement which must be signed as part of the ITT documentation in addition to this regarding use of the e-sourcing portal.

Details of how to register and the portal URL can be found by clicking on the link below or pasting it into your browser:

https://legalaid.bravosolution.co.uk/web/docs/QG01%20Registration%20guide.pdf

Once registered you can log in and search for the Community Justice Learning Qualification event under the following information:

Project Reference: project_72;

ITT Reference: itt_418 or:

4601-1-professional services-N-RFP

2. TRANSPARENCY

HM Government requires that tender documentation issued by Government departments for contracts with a value exceeding £10,000 over the life of the contract are published online.. to Contracts Finder for the general public. The resulting contract shall also be published.

The Ministry of Justice may use its discretion to redact information to protect key commercial interests on prescribed grounds, therefore, bidders who wish information not to be published if successful should secure agreement with the Ministry of Justice prior to submission. Only documentation relating to awarded contracts will be published.