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Offender Learning

OCNSWR and NOCN have a long association with offender learning and its accreditation. Our flexible programmes and qualifications have been both welcomed and widely used within the offender learning environment.

The unit-based structure of NOCN qualifications provides 'bite-sized' learning that can be delivered and achieved within limited time frames. The extensive use of NOCN qualifications and units allows learners to continue and build upon learning between custodial settings and during supervision periods within the community. 

The use of a national system that encompasses regional responsiveness is invaluable. We have a local Development Manager available to offer support for practitioners. This extends beyond curriculum advice to the provision of staff development in areas of assessment, quality assurance and standardisation.

Click on the links below for further information of each qualification.

				Back to Qualifications list

In Brief Guides for Providers

- Cleaning and Support Services Level 1 - Cleaning and Support Services Level 2 - Creative Hair Studies - Developing Skills for the Creative and Cultural Industries - Employability Level 1 - Employability Level 2 - Functional Skills - Progression - Step-UP

The NOCN Qualifications in Progression are ideal for the offender learning environment. They are available in Award, Certificate and Diploma size and at four levels (Entry 3, Levels 1, 2 and 3). They provide a unit and credit based offer that can be used to support the development of employability skills and progression into further training. Currently funding is also available for individual units of learning from these qualifications.

With generic work skills and specific vocationally based preparatory units, these qualifications are proving useful in giving learners the confidence to move forward in their chosen areas. The certificates also provide evidence to employers of the skills they have developed, their commitment to learn and their work-readiness. They also accredit the areas of personal and social development that many of those in custody need, such as communication skills and managing personal finances.

These qualifications are already widely used to recognise the learning that is delivered through Offender Learning and Skills Service (OLASS) contracts, as well as the skills offenders develop in the industries, workshops and other “out of scope” areas in prisons. The Probation Service use the Qualifications with offenders completing community sentences (unpaid work) where they acquire important and useful vocationally-related skills through community-focused activities that can then help boost their employability.

Please click links below to find out more information on:

National Offender Management Service (NOMS)

Offender Learning and Skills Service (OLASS)

If you would like further information on Offender Learning please contact your Development Manager or call the Plymouth Office on 01752 831500.