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SFJ Awards has launched a new vocational qualification that formally recognises the on the job learning undertaken by police constables entering the profession via the Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP).
The Level 5 Diploma in Professional Policing Practice provides PCEP entrants the opportunity to receive an Ofqual-regulated qualification that is aligned with College of Policing (CoP) requirements through assessment of their knowledge, understanding and skills demonstrated in the role.
“PCEP is a significant development for the future of the policing workforce, offering a unique pathway for those who learn better on the job to enter the profession and thrive. Offering a recognised qualification, alongside on the job training, will help to ensure that new recruits’ practical learning meets certain quality standards as well as providing a formal record of achievement.
“Co-designed with forces across the country, it is intended that the Diploma will be delivered in-house with support from our experienced External Quality Assurance advisors.”
David Higham, Managing Director, SFJ Awards.
A competency based, rather than academic, qualification, the Level 5 Diploma is designed to maximise learner time in-role and was developed in collaboration with forces across the country.
“PCEP offers new recruits the opportunity to get hands-on and work alongside experienced police officers from day one. As the vocational route in to policing, the idea behind the Level 5 Diploma in Professional Policing Practice is to provide quality assured recognition of PCEP entrants’ learning.
“The Diploma therefore gives new recruits the option of a vocational pathway, whilst providing space to evidence their skills, knowledge and understanding primarily through assessment of their performance in-role.
“The aspiration for forces is that the qualification will enhance the overall attractiveness of PCEP to new recruits, which in turn will help to support workforce recruitment, development and retention.”
Paul Talbot, Learning & Development Standards Unit Manager at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary
PCEP was launched to replace the Initial Police Learning and Development Programme entry route which was decommissioned in April 2024. The new Level 5 Diploma was designed by SFJ Awards in collaboration forces across England and Wales and is compliant with Independent Patrol Status (IPS) and Full Operational Competence (FOC) standards and the PCEP curriculum.
To find out more about PCEP and the Level 5 Diploma in Professional Policing Practice, click here.
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