Report Summary
This report provides members of the Scottish Police Authority People Committee with an overview of an overview of the review by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) into Modern Apprenticeship provision within Police Scotland. The paper will discuss the background of the review, the areas considered, and the outcome.
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Meeting
The publication discussed was referenced in the meeting below
People Committee - 29 August 2024
Date : 29 August 2024
Location : Online
THE REVIEW
A team of eight HMIES representatives carried out the three day review, undertaking a total of forty one interviews with senior managers from Learning, Training & Development, the Early Careers & Skills Development Team, Operational Training staff, tutor constables, Divisional managers and probationers across Scotland from the Lothians and Scottish Borders up to the Orkney Islands.
The review focussed on three elements and six quality indicators set out below:
• Element 1: Leadership and Quality Culture
o How well do leaders secure improvement of quality and impact of training?
• Element 2: Service Delivery
o How well is training delivered?
o How well do staff reflect on provision to improve training?
• Element 3: Outcomes and Impact
o How well are training providers achieving and maintaining high levels of service delivery?
o How well do providers adhere to statutory principles and guidance?
o How well do apprentices make progress and achieve individual outcomes?
Within the findings of the report, there are thirty eight significant areas of positive progress which were identified with three areas for development.
The three areas for development were:
o Enhanced feedback based on the submission of the Key Skills evidence.
o The inclusion of the Numeracy Core Skill exam earlier on within the probationer training programme.
o The enhancement of the Tutor Constable training to achieve a consistent experience for all probationers.
Lanarkshire Division were highlighted in the report as an example of highly effective practice in their approach to monitoring probationer progress ensuring probationers are supported and have the required skills to work as operational Police Constables.
Grades used in reporting are:
o Excellent,
o Very Good
o Good
o Satisfactory
o Weak
o Unsatisfactory
At the conclusion of the review, Police Scotland were awarded ‘Very Good’ for all three elements.
An evaluation of “Very Good” is applied to training provision characterised by major strengths. There are very few areas of improvement, and any that so exist, do not significantly diminish the experience of apprentices.
HMIES concluded they are confident Police Scotland has the capacity to continue to improve and will not re-visit during the current review cycle.
