Jacky Burrows and Simon FeaseySheffield Hallam University

November 2014

ContextYorkshire and Humberside COSA commissioned Sheffield Hallam to develop an accredited training moduleA purchaser‐provider relationship but also a collaborative processContent, assessment and evaluation discussed togetherVolunteers selected by COSA 

The Challenges

• Mostly full‐time workers / students• Largely distance‐learning• Mixed academic backgrounds• Making the content specific to COSA volunteers (e.g. not 

too 'probation' in language and skills)• Making the content both academic and of practical use• Module not part of a wider course• Some people not in a Circle at the time

Teaching, learning, & assessmentAt level of UK first year undergraduates. Focus:

• Theory linked to community‐based support for sex offenders

• Core skills that support the  community reintegration of sexoffenders

• The multi‐agency context of volunteering with COSA (including roles, responsibilities,and accountabilities)

• Diversity

Assessment

• Focus on reflection and linking theory and 'practice'

• Interim assignment (20%) –feedback to also help with next assignment

• Final assignment (80%)

Course StructureSheffield Hallam delivered 

contentYH COSA delivered content

• 1 face to face session• 3 blocks of online lectures

– Effective engagement– Risk– Rehabilitation and 

reintegration• 12 online lectures in total 

(written)– reading packs– other online learning 

materials

4 X

1 day sessions• Reflective writing• Effective engagement (including

action learning sets)• Emotional resilience and self 

care• Coaching styles and 'bringing it

all together' (approximately half a day) and a social event

EvaluationFormat:

Initial questionnaire comprised of open and closed questionsFinal questionnaire comprised of open and closedquestionsFocus group to add context

Sample:All participating students (initially 11, now 9)

QUESTIONNAIRES ‐Profiles

AgeGenderEducational backgroundWork/volunteering experienceMotivation to joinExperience of trainingRewards and challenges

QUESTIONNAIRES ‐ ConfidenceUnderstanding sex offender rehabilitationIdentifying potential risk issuesChallenging inappropriate comments or behaviourWorking with a diverse range of people

Working with other volunteersEngaging the core memberliaising with criminal justice professionalsUnderstanding risk management

Initial findingsVolunteers:

FemaleAll educated to at least degree levelHalf had previous criminal justice experience (e.g.mentoring, appropriate adult)Mixture of 'inward' and 'outward' motivation

Initial findingsConfidence rating

Generally very high, particularly around working with othersAreas of lower confidence mainly around identifying

risk and understanding sex offender rehabilitation

EvaluationKey questions:

Is the content relevant to Circles volunteers?Is the module set at the appropriate academic level?Are students being assessed appropriately? Does the module increase knowledge and confidence?

Have you got any questions? S.feasey@shu.ac.uk J.burrows@shu.ac.uk