Inspection staff at HM Inspectorate of Probation will now be able to qualify for an Inspection Skills Certificate during their employment or secondment – a first for the organisation.

The Inspectorate is now approved, by SFJ Awards (recognised and regulated by Ofqual), to train HM Inspectors and HM Assistant Inspectors to achieve a recognised certificate in inspection practice.

The Inspection Skills Certificate consists of a one-year course, running concurrently with a person’s employment. It is a structured learning programme which involves core training and on-the-job observation and assessment – where an inspector or assistant inspector must generate a portfolio of their work, whilst out on inspection across England and Wales. The programme equips inspectors with the necessary skills and experience to undertake high-quality inspections.

Seven HM Inspectors and 14 HM Assistant Inspectors are currently enrolled for the qualification. All certificates are assessed at an industry-standard level – the participants are closely observed, in the first instance, by a team of trained Inspectorate assessors. This work is then quality-assured internally and then externally by SFJ Awards.

Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said: “I’m delighted that we can now offer our inspectors and assistant inspectors the Inspection Skills Certificate and formally recognise their considerable range of skills via this accreditation. I hope this will come as positive news to probation and youth justice services – and provide them with further assurance about the quality of our inspection process.

“The Inspectorate will continue to do all it can to improve the quality of our inspections and to grow the skills of our inspectors alongside the services we inspect. The Inspection Skills Certificate will help us to achieve that and offer our current and future staff and secondees the opportunity to progress their careers.”

ENDS

Notes to editor
1. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth offending and probation services across England and Wales.
2. For media enquiries, please contact media@hmiprobation.gov.uk