Certificate in DWP/DH Prosecutions
This is a bespoke course for caseworkers in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Department of Health's (DH) prosecution divisions. It has been especially developed in consultation with senior DWP Prosecution staff.
The syllabus provides an introduction to Law and Practice, including the English Legal System, along with a good working knowledge of both criminal law and criminal procedure. The course also includes procedures dealing specially with DWP/DH offences, such as under the Social Security Administration Act.
The main achievements of this course expressed frequently by students are that they gain in confidence from the course and that they now understand why they need to do specific tasks, not just what they need to do.
Sally Ann Downey, Head of Prosecutions at the DWP said at the Award Ceremony for the first cohort of successful students: "What I had in my mind for this course has happened. The students are chuffed and there's a real business benefit for the DWP."
Course Structure
Each intake starts with a face-to-face Induction Day, where students learn all about the course and develop key study skills. The course materials include a course manual, including a specially-written section on DWP and DH procedures, as well as a number of study assignments. The assignments are designed to help students work through and understand each topic. Four of the assignments test knowledge by multiple choice by means of an on-line test. The remaining three assignments request students to submit written answers.
Students are also given a password to a course-specific Student Area, where they can pose academic queries to our designated on-line tutors, as well as gain access to the Legal Nexis legal database. Telephone support is also available during office hours from ITC's Academic Team.
Course Duration
Tutor marking is available for a period of one year from the date of enrolment. The course is intended to be very flexible, to ensure that students make steady progress throughout the year. The client has agreed to give each student two hours' study leave a week, at a time to be agreed with their manager.
Course Assessment
ITC will award a Certificate in DWP/DH Prosecutions to those students who pass all seven assignments, with at least 50% for the on-line assignments, and 40% for the written assignments. Students complete on-line assignments at work under the supervision of their line manager.
Application
This course is open to employees of the Department for Work and Pensions or the Department of Health only. If you work for a prosecutorial agency and would like to speak to us about a course for your file managers, please call Noel Inge, Managing Director, on 01234 844325 or Kathryn Kirby, Courses Manager, on 01234 844368.