LETTER : Essential training on the job
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Mr Crispin Worthington
Sir: When I joined the Probation Service as a mature entrant in the late 1960s, one of the earlier life experiences which I took with me was that, some years previously, I had been an officer on active service with an infantry regiment, recruited mainly from the area where I was to work as a probation officer.
Unlike the Home Secretary, Michael Howard, however, it never occurred to me, then or since, that those earlier experiences in any way qualified me to understand and work with the complex, damaged and deviant people who form the larger part of a probation officer's caseload.
After 18 months of training, partly academic, and partly in the field with highly skilled and experienced supervisors, I was just about ready to start work.
I am outraged by Michael Howard's proposal that future probation officers no longer require social work training before taking the post, but can be trained "on the job". By implementing such a policy he will downgrade and demoralise a dedicated, competent and experienced service, which has for many years played a realistic and effective part in fighting crime.
Mr Howard should be reminded that until about 35 years ago probation officers were not required to undergo training. This was introduced because the job, even then, had become so complex that for the service to retain the confidence of the courts, earlier Home Secretaries had the wisdom to insist on training as a prerequisite.
Yours faithfully,
Crispin Worthington
Forres, Morayshire
9 February
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments