PW_2_2022

Professional Development

Counselling: A Lincoln Award Alex Noble , British Transport Police Branch

Through my membership of the IPA I have been fortunate enough to benefit from several educational opportunities. Most recently, I was awarded the Lincoln Award Bursary, which gave me the opportunity to study Counselling, a subject that not only interests me, but that will also benefit my development in and out of work. B efore joining the Police , I completed a Psychology Degree, so I chose to further my knowledge in this area. I decided to study for a Level 4 Advanced The Counselling course itself contained 20 modules, all “Bitesize” areas that focused on a specific area of Counselling, ranging from the Psychology of Counselling, to general communications skills, including active listening, impact of the pandemic, and the challenges of my shift pattern, I opted for the 100% distance

learning option so that I was able to work wherever and whenever suited me best, but there was also a blended study option, which required occasional classroom attendance. After completing this course, I was inspired to take a more proactive role in supporting my fellow officers in whatever way I can. This qualification has been a key component in securing me an apprenticeship as a Coaching Professional which I hope will allow me to support and guide my colleagues to achieve their own ambitions going forward. Thank you very much IPA for this fantastic opportunity.

Counselling Diploma, a course provided by NCC home learning. I felt that this course would help improve my communication and counselling skills, both of which are used daily in my front- line role within the Police. I also hoped that the study would help me support others within the organisation, who might not find talking to a mental health professional easy, but may be willing to talk to a colleague. It is a sad fact that men (in particular) do not seek support, or ask for the help they need when struggling with ill mental health.

and the administration behind Counselling. A lot of the key themes overlapped with my psychology degree, and in some areas took it further, so my interest was held from start to finish. The fact that the course was 90% coursework, and 10% multiple choice questions also gave it a stress free feel up to completion. I was assigned a tutor for the duration of the course whose role was to provide feedback on my coursework, and provide support and guidance to facilitate my learning. Due to the

Intern Assistance Martin Turner , Vice President (Professional) Since Autumn 2021, Section UK has benefitted from the assistance

of an intern, courtesy of Nottingham University. I n a first for the Section, an intern was recruited , interviewed and placed with the IPA to “aid their development in the workplace” and of course, to help Section UK. Our intern was Hannah Howling, a third-year student doing a thesis linked to the Counter Terrorism Prevent Programme. Hannah was supervised over the duration of her internship by Vice President Martin Turner. Happily she was able to attend Fox Road, Nottingham, to meet most of the NEC after their annual budget meeting back in October. Hannah was tasked with a variety of projects whilst working for Section UK, giving around eight hours a week to us, over 10 weeks. A large piece of work for her was to look at our online presence; on social media and our website. She also reviewed our printed literature, and even toured several police stations/offices in London, to understand how the policing family works.

She has provided valuable feedback to the NEC, which will be used to improve our digital presence. She has also identified new ways for us to attract and recruit new members from current generations of new officers, staff and volunteers. Hannah also helped develop a new member survey, which you will be asked to complete later this year. With her help, we have also sent updated information packs to all Chief Officers. The NEC thank Hannah for the great work she has done for Section UK and look forward to the next intern, which should now become a regular feature in helping run and develop IPA initiatives.

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POLICE WORLD Vol 67 No.2, 2022