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Call for pilot implementation of The European Mental Health Training Curriculum for Probation Officers

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Call for pilot implementation of The European Mental Health Training Curriculum for Probation Officers

The Confederation of European Probation (CEP) has developed the European Mental Health Training Curriculum for Probation Officers, designed to strengthen probation staff’s knowledge, confidence, and skills when working with people with mental health needs.

The curriculum was developed by the CEP Expert Group on Mental Health in Probation, under the Chair mandate of Ana Cristina Neves, Head of Service at the General Directorate of Probation and Prison Services in Portugal (more info on the Expert Group on Mental Health). The Mental Health curriculum reflects current European research, policy recommendations, and practice standards. It is modular and adaptable to different national and organisational contexts.

CEP hereby invites European probation jurisdictions to express their interest in pilotin

Aim of the call

The purpose of this call is to:

  • support the practical implementation of the European Mental Health Training Curriculum;
  • test the curriculum in a real operational setting, Probation Service within one European jurisdiction;
  • generate evidence and learning on implementation processes, challenges, and outcomes, in order to inform future roll-out and refinement of the curriculum.

One CEP member jurisdiction/country will be selected to implement the pilot.

The National Probation Service of the selected jurisdiction will be responsible for providing experts/trainers for each curriculum module. The national implementation is to be delivered in the country’s official language.

Scope of the pilot

The selected jurisdiction will be expected to:

  • Implement the curriculum as a pilot training programme for probation officers (within six months following the announcement of the selected jurisdiction)
  • Deliver the training within an agreed group of probation professionals (15 probation officers) and an implementation period.
  • Collect relevant qualitative and/or quantitative data on the pilot.
  • Produce an implementation report with recommendations.

CEP support

CEP will provide:

  • Financial support of up to €6,000 to contribute to the costs of implementing the pilot. This includes support for 8 expert trainers (one per module) and 15 participating professionals. The funding is intended to cover expenses related to training fees, as well as accommodation, subsistence, and other implementation-related costs for both trainers and participants.

  • Ongoing strategic and technical support, including guidance on curriculum implementation and clarification of evaluation requirements.

  • After the training, participants will be provided with a certificate from CEP together with the National Probation Service.

  • Opportunities for dissemination, including the possibility to present and share pilot results within CEP networks.

Evaluation and Reporting

The selected jurisdiction will be required to:

  • Produce a follow-up report within 2 months of the implementation, documenting:
    • how the curriculum was implemented,
    • lessons learned,
    • perceived strengths and challenges,
    • recommendations for future implementation
  • Participate in the structured evaluation of the pilot implementation carried out by an external evaluator indicated by CEP (e.g. process, participant feedback, perceived impact and other) which will include a six-month follow-up.

        As part of the external evaluation of the pilot implementation, participants in the training pilot will be invited to submit a case study illustrating how they have applied their newly acquired skills in practice, alongside other forms of evidence as specified by the evaluator.

How to apply

Interested CEP Member jurisdictions are invited to submit an Expression of Interest, including the following information.

  • Context and Needs
  • Implementation Plan
  • Trainers and Capacity
  • Budget
  • Implementation Feedback
  • Sustainability

Go to the Member page and please fill in the form and complete the Expression of Interest template and submit by 7th September. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.

Selection Criteria

Expressions of interest will be assessed against the following criteria:

  1. Relevance and feasibility of the proposed pilot;
  2. Organisational commitment and capacity to deliver the training;
  3. Clarity and coherence of the proposed implementation plan;
  4. Learning and reporting
  5. Budget estimation;
  6. Sustainability, including the potential to replicate and further develop the pilot using local resources;

Eligibility​

This call is open to:

  • CEP member jurisdictions/countries responsible for probation services;

Only one jurisdiction/country will be selected under this call.

Deadlines

  • Deadline for applications: 7 September
  • Selection results: Mid October

Implementation period: The selected jurisdiction will have a maximum of 6 months from the official notification date to organize and deliver the full 3.5-day training programme.

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