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).
The Authority is issuing this notice to invite the market to an engagement event, intended to enhance understanding and insight into the Professional Qualification in Probation (PQIP).
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
6 October 2025
Engagement process description
The Authority will be hosting a market engagement session to support suppliers' understanding of the Professional Qualification in Probation (PQIP). This session will take place virtually via Microsoft Teams on 25th September 2025 from 10.30 -12.00.
The Authority will be joined by a number of speakers who have taken part in the PQIP programme, each of whom will share their personal journeys and reflections. The focus of this event will therefore be on the lived experiences of these speakers to provide suppliers with an insight of PQiP and the National Probation Service.
Suppliers are invited to submit any questions they would like the speakers to consider in advance of the session. Where appropriate and feasible, we will invite speakers to address these as part of their presentations.
During the session, suppliers will also have the opportunity to submit questions via the Microsoft Teams chat function. These questions will be reviewed and, where appropriate, responses will be provided during the Q&A section at the end of the session.
Following the event, suppliers may submit any additional questions via the Jaggaer portal by 1st October 2025. These will be addressed offline and responses will be published through the Jaggaer Messaging function in due course.
Please note that the event will be strictly limited to discussion of the speakers' personal experiences and the content of their presentations. The Authority will not revisit previously shared procurement information or enter discussions on details of the procurement itself. All relevant information of the procurement will be provided in the Invitation to Tender once published.
If you plan to attend, please confirm the following details via the messaging function to PQQ 491 Community Justice Learning (Professional Qualification in Probation):
Name(s) of attendee(s) (Maximum of 2 people per company)
Company/organisation name
Contact details (E-mail and phone number)
Any questions you would like the speakers to consider and address within their presentations.
Please confirm your attendance with the above details and questions, before 14:00, 1 September 2025 within the PQQ491.
To ensure maximum value from this event, attendees are expected to have reviewed all prior market engagement documentation, including the previous Preliminary Market engagement Notice "ocds-h6vhtk-0504cd" and the supporting materials shared at PQQ 491 - Community Justice Learning (Professional Qualification in Probation). This content will not be presented again during the 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)
20 October 2025
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Ministry of Justice
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDNN-2773-HVYN
5 Wellington Place
London
LS1 4AP
United Kingdom
Email: MojProcurementLearningAndDevelopment@justice.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/procurement
Region: UKE42 - Leeds
Organisation type: Public authority - central government