Training for civil work in the probation service

ABSTRACT

Social work education is under constant pressure to give increased attention to various issues relating to practice. This is in large part a reflection of the nature of the social work task which is continuously evolving as it responds to shifts in social policy and changes in social work perspectives and practice. One such issue which is currently the focus of substantial change is the civil work role of the probation service. The author draws on the findings of a recent survey of probation officers which highlights a number of important questions about the adequacy of current training provision, both pre-entry and in-service, and which also raises fundamental issues about the relationship between theory and practice.