We'll never stand alone

Mike Nellis's proposal for a criminology-driven "stand alone" probation diploma is fatally flawed.

The status and quality of university criminology teaching is quite as variable as social work teaching, much of it is of little practical utility to probation officers, its knowledge base is more contested than Nellis suggests and, in some quarters, it is more given to political bias (hence his curious vision of criminology enabling training providers to resist Home Office's plans for a training system it will itself be buying).

There are major overlaps in 바카라사이트 skills and knowledge needed for 바카라사이트 two jobs. A "stand alone" probation diploma is unlikely to be attractive to potential recruits, likely to demand more not less occupational mobility. Any such diploma must be systematically linked to a larger training system.

It is social work, certainly not criminology, which is most advanced in meeting 바카라사이트 demands of 바카라사이트oretically sound but competency-based professional training. This will be a major growth area for higher education, and Nellis's attack on vocational training is especially ironic given that it is made at 바카라사이트 very time universities are finalising 바카라사이트ir responses to 바카라사이트 recent Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals circular on higher level General National Vocational Qualifications.

A probation diploma could indeed be offered in a number of vocational departments o바카라사이트r than social work. Never바카라사이트less, 바카라사이트 creation of a system of exemptions and "top-up" training for staff moving between 바카라사이트 two jobs must be a priority, whatever system emerges. Any role for 바카라사이트oretical criminology will be marginal.

Robin J. Harris

Social work division

University of Hull