Planning

Community Justice Learning (Professional Qualification in Probation)

  • Ministry of Justice

UK2: Preliminary market engagement notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-015894

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0504cd

Published 17 April 2025, 1:03pm



Scope

Description

The Authority is preparing to launch a tender for the provision of HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) Community Justice Learning (CJL) for the delivery of the Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP). Through this notice the Authority is looking to engage with the current market regarding this future requirement.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) works to protect the public and reduce reoffending, and to provide a more effective, transparent and responsive criminal justice system for victims and the public. His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice and is responsible for managing prisons and probation services in England and Wales. It's core mission is to protect the public and reduce reoffending by rehabilitating offenders through custody and community-based support.

This requirement is for the delivery of the Community Justice graduate diploma as part of the PQiP programme. The PQiP is the mandatory training route for all Probation Officers that are employed by the Probation Service. The Offender Management Act 2007 s10 sets out the Secretary of State for Justice's right to publish guidelines about qualifications, experience or training required to be a Probation Officer, with effect from 1 April 2016 and as set out in statutory guidelines, all Trainee Probation Officers (Learners) must undertake the Professional Qualification in Probation to qualify and perform the work of a Probation Officer. HMPPS are the only employer of Probation Officers, and the PQiP programme is the only route for training Probation Officers in England and Wales. The PQiP programme consists of a BA Hons degree or graduate diploma in Community Justice and a Level 5 vocational qualification in Probation Practice.

The academic components of the PQIP that will be delivered by the Contractor will comprise of a Level 6 academic qualification, with Level 4 and Level 5 academic components used to give advance standing onto the core programme (Level 6). The PQiP learning will be delivered through cohorts of learners on a 6 monthly intake cycle, through 4 entry routes; Probation Services Officer Progression (PSOP), Standard PQiP full-time (post-graduate), Standard PQiP (post-graduate) part-time; and a full-time PQiP non-graduate route. The part-time routes can take between 21-30 months and full-time routes can take between 15-27 months depending on learners' prior learning levels.

The service commencement is estimated to start in March 2027, following the mobilisation phase which will include developing and finalising the curriculum and ensuring the course is appropriately accredited.

Total value (estimated)

  • £81,000,000 excluding VAT
  • £97,200,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 31 August 2026 to 28 February 2037
  • 10 years, 6 months, 1 day

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

  • 80000000 - Education and training services

Contract locations

  • UK - United Kingdom

Engagement

Engagement deadline

8 May 2025

Engagement process description

Market Engagement will be taking place on the dates below and will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams;

12/05/2025 - Market Engagement Presentation from HMPPS and MoJ Commercial at 10am-12pm

15/05/2025 - Supplier one-to-one 30 minute meetings. There will be eight slots for one-to-ones available between 10am-4:45pm. The authority will allocate the time slots on a first come, first served basis.

Please register your interest via 'PQQ_491 - Community Justice Learning (Professional Qualification in Probation)' in the MoJ Jaggaer Portal by no later than 12pm Thursday 8th May. Please send a message through PQQ_491 requesting attendance at the market engagement event . Providers are limited to an attendance of two members of staff.

Please include the following detail in your message;

- Full name (s)

- Company/organisation name

- Contact details (E-mail and phone number)

- Please indicate if you would like a separate one to one session

If you do not already have a Jaggaer account please register to create an account via the following link - https://ministryofjusticecommercial.bravosolution.co.uk/

If you have any issues registering, please contact 0845 0100 132 or e-mail esourcing@justice.gov.uk.

This notice is for Information only and the Authority reserves the right to not proceed to tender. Additionally the Authority (MoJ) reserves the right to discontinue the tendering process and not to award the contract.

The information contained in this notice, including information relating to the nature and scope of the requirements, the estimated value, the service classification of this requirement or the list of CPV codes, is only indicative of current thinking and is neither exhaustive nor binding and the Authority reserves the right at it's absolute discretion to amend it at the time of issue of any further notices or at any other time. The publication of this notice in no way obliges the Authority to commence any competitive tender process. The Authority is not / shall not be liable for any costs incurred by those expressing an interest in participating in this market engagement exercise. Any contracts are subject to the relevant legal and Cabinet Office controls and policies. The Authority reserves the right to source items included through other means (e.g. an existing contract or framework).


Participation

Particular suitability

  • Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
  • Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Submission

Publication date of tender notice (estimated)

18 November 2025


Procedure

Special regime

Light touch


Contracting authority

Ministry of Justice

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDNN-2773-HVYN

5 Wellington Place

Leeds

LS1 4AP

United Kingdom

Region: UKE42 - Leeds

Organisation type: Public authority - central government