programme handbook Police Degree Apprenticeship You are about to embark on a challenging and Congratulations on rewarding career which offers a multitude of your appointment and opportunities to develop and specialise over time – welcome to Thames there really is no other job like it. As , I want Police to deliver an excellent service and be regarded as Valley Police an outstanding police force by the communities we serve. Our success depends on us all working towards the same goals, fighting crime, preventing harm and bringing offenders to justice.

When things are at their worst for people, I want us to be at our best.

Ultimately, is only as good as the people that work for us and I am proud to say you are joining an amazing workforce; hardworking, selfless and courageous. I want to wish you every success as you begin your Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship.

John Campbell QPM Chief Constable . . 2 3 Your Degree Apprenticeship programme is designed to give you the knowledge, skills, experience and confidence that will prepare you for further study and employment in your chosen field of policing. All of us here at the University have one single aim: to help As the Vice Chancellor of New you to achieve your ambitions. Welcome to your University, I am pleased to welcome you to the As the Head of School for Aviation University and to your programme of study. We and Security, I am delighted to Our intention is that during your time on this Police Constable are delighted to be working in partnership with programme, you will be able to get assistance Thames Valley Police, building on our well- welcome you to School, and your from various people in academic, administrative, established relationship, to provide the Degree programme of study. operational and other support roles. Module Leaders Degree Apprenticeship Apprenticeship programme which will equip you are best placed to answer questions about taught to meet the challenges of 21st Century policing. subjects. For more general academic and personal Policing in and Wales is undergoing change advice, you can seek help from your Course Leader in terms of initial entry routes at constable rank or from any of the Administrative staff. If you need and your programme will be challenging but also, advice about something, please just ask for help. I hope, rewarding in terms of not only your self- development, but also in terms of preparing you to I hope that you participate fully in your programme serve your communities with pride and confidence. and take the opportunity not only to learn, but to find I wish you every success in your studies. new friends and explore new interests. We want you to make the most of your time with us and very much want you to succeed – your success is ours also!

I hope you have a useful, interesting and, most importantly, enjoyable experience as you undertake your Degree Apprenticeship with Thames Valley Professor Nick Braisby Police and Bucks New University! Vice Chancellor

Professor Phillip Wood MBE Head of School . . 4 5 Welcome to the course and the Institute of Professional Policing

On behalf of the Programme delivery At the start of your programme of study, you will This will see you undertake two further periods This handbook will help with many of the day-to-day team, welcome to your Degree be given an outline of the whole three years, with of learning and extended periods of operational queries that you may have regarding the aims of the Apprenticeship programme. This key times and dates indicated so that you will be deployment. You will work to gather more evidence course, the individual modules, learning outcomes, handbook contains information about able to see the programme in its entirety and be in your Operational Competence Portfolio, working assessment and submission of assessments. Should your three-year course, and will be able to plan your work. The programme will include towards achieving ‘full operational competence’. any areas be unclear, please ask your Programme updated each year, so please be aware a combination of face-to-face workshops, on- Having also successfully completed the academic Leader or a member of the teaching team for further that as your programme progresses, some line learning, self-directed learning, and flipped assessments, you will progress into year three of the clarification. sections may change. classrooms (where you will undertake some on-line programme. or group work, before coming into a classroom to We hope you find your course rewarding and The Programme Team includes academic staff discuss or present the results of your work). Whilst As this programme is an apprenticeship, in year exciting as well as challenging. This is your from Bucks New University and police officers and there is no requirement for you to undertake study three you will undertake further periods of learning programme and on behalf of the programme team, staff from Thames Valley Police. We are all looking beyond the scheduled teaching hours, you are of and also complete an evidence-based policing I wish you every success on the programme, and in forward to working with you and we hope you will course welcome to undertake additional work or project. This will require you to produce a detailed, your future career with Thames Valley Police. enjoy your time – not just during your initial learning research into topics which you find of particular critical analysis of a chosen policing-related subject programme, but throughout your three-years of interest. To assist you with your studies, you will have or problem. This project is assessed academically, study and development as you start your career as a access to a digital reading list, and electronic access and also presented as part of the final assessment John Nesbitt – Programme Lead with Thames Valley Police. This is your to the University Library as well as other College of element – the End Point Assessment. This is when Associate Professor, Education (Policing) programme, and you will have the opportunity to Policing and Thames Valley Police resources. You you will engage in a professional discussion, provide feedback to us on how things are going – be are also encouraged to form study groups with your presenting your project work, to an assessor they good or not so good. This will help us to ensure peers and to use University and other facilities, to and a small panel. Details of this process will be we can change things that we need to, and to make facilitate your group study. provided to you once you start your programme. things better for your colleagues who will join the Successful completion of the academic elements programme in the future. After your initial period of learning you will undergo of the third year, completion of your Operational ten weeks of operational patrol with a tutor Competence Portfolio, and your passing the End The programme has been designed to support you constable. This provides you with the opportunity to Point Assessment, means that you are eligible to be in the continued acquisition and development of put your learning into practice. (Further details will be confirmed in rank by Thames Valley Police, having the underpinning knowledge and skills required to provided to you at the start of the programme). ‘passed’ the apprenticeship. You will also be eligible perform a policing role. This will involve academic to attend a Graduation Ceremony and awarded your study as well as the application of your learning in During your periods of operational deployment, honours degree in Professional Policing Practice. the challenging environment of operational policing you will be working to complete sections of an as a Police Constable. Whilst the Programme Team Operational Competence Portfolio. In doing so, Whilst the University and Thames Valley Police will support and guide you through your studies, your you will gather evidence of your competence to are working in partnership to deliver the whole ultimate success on the course requires hard work (by the end of year 1) achieve ‘fit for independent programme, the information in this Handbook may and commitment. patrol status’. This means that you will be able to become out-of-date, and must always be considered patrol independently – but you will still receive as guidance only. You should always follow advice During the various stages of the programme you will support in the form of coaching and mentoring from given to you from Thames Valley Police in relation be allocated a Programme Leader to help you with a Development Assessment Officer (DAO). After to any aspect of your role as a police constable, in any general problems or concerns and also to help achieving independent patrol status, and successfully particular any guidance regarding police equipment, facilitate your progress through those stages. For completing the academic assessments in year one, shift patterns, behaviour and conduct. specific academic difficulties on a particular module, you will progress to year two. the module or seminar leader can also be contacted The academic staff from the University have a mix of for advice. The programme includes different operational policing, and professional work as well as methods of delivery – some of which may be new to academic backgrounds and will be further supported you, but they are all designed to blend the rigour of by teaching staff from TVP. If possible, we will also academic study at degree level, with the operational use subject matter experts and guest speakers from rigour of policing. other agencies where this would be relevant to the programme. We are all tasked with providing you with a coherent, challenging yet exciting programme of study, and your engagement will help make that happen. . . 6 2 7 contents

Section Page. Welcome to your Police Constable 3 Degree Apprenticeship Welcome to the course and the 6 Institute of Professional Policing Introduction 10 Your Programme of Study 14 Your Programme Team 22 Assessment 26 Additional Programme Information 32 Support for your studies 40 University Regulations and Processes 43 Introductory Reading List 45 Learning partnership agreement 46

www.bucks.ac.uk . . 8 9 introduction

This handbook has been tailored to your Degree Apprenticeship programme, and includes information about the programme, its structure and the staff that you will meet and is intended to provide you with answers to many of the questions you may have about studying on your course.

Throughout the handbook you will find references to the University’s procedures, regulations and course- related services, with links to the full document or service on the University website.

This is not an exclusive list and you will come into contact with other regulations during your time with us. All documentation is, however, published on the University website, should you have any queries. Alternatively, please contact any of the people referred to in this handbook or one of the central service directorates who will be able to help you.

You should also understand that the Apprenticeship programme is delivered in partnership with Thames Valley Police (TVP), and as you are a Police Officer, you will be subject to Police Regulations and also TVP policies and processes. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that University policy and TVP policy are complementary, in any areas where this is not the case, then TVP policy will take precedence.

At the back of this handbook, you will find the Learning Partnership Agreement. This details our commitment to you and, in return, our expectations of your commitment to your own programme of study, to your fellow officers, to TVP and to the University. . . 10 11 12.

13. your programme of study

programme aims As such, the main educational aims of the programme are: The programme aims to equip students with the knowledge and understanding, insight, perspectives and skills with which to perform the role of a Police Develop students’ operational Allow students to critically Constable within Thames Valley Police and to gain expertise alongside relevant evaluate the strategic an understanding of policing in its wider context. The course further develops vocational and professional 1 interpersonal, ethical and 2 choices available to police training adding a layer of intellectual skills relevant leadership skills through organisations, demonstrating to policing which will provide graduates with an the application of methods a critical appreciation of how understanding of the concepts, principles, protocols, procedures and legislation which are all pertinent to and techniques to review, operational and organisational the police officer role. consolidate, extend and apply decisions are taken in their knowledge in a professional economic, social and cultural Developed in consultation with Thames Valley Police and covering all aspects of the College of policing context. contexts Policing’s curriculum for Professional Policing, the programme provides the opportunity for you, after successful completion of the apprenticeship and graduation, to be confirmed in the rank of constable. The programme aims also include transferrable skills which are equally valued in other roles within the Equip students with a coherent Criminal Justice System and beyond. 3 and detailed knowledge 4 Equip students with the and understanding of the knowledge and skills to requirements of 21st century undertake a work-based policing, including how police research project in order to organisations function and identify improvements to are managed according to the professional policing practice. needs of communities. . . 14 15 Programme Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the programme a graduate will be able to demonstrate:

Knowledge Skills – A critical understanding of the ethics and values – How to accurately interpret and apply the – Accurate application of Authorised Professional enquiry to inform the possible initiation of of professional policing, including: duty of letter of all relevant law, as it relates to any Practice and any local policy applicable to the criminal proceedings. Applying an investigative care, service delivery, employment practice, encountered policing situation, incident or operational policing context. mind-set when decision-making. Presenting efficiency, effectiveness and value for money, context. permissible evidence to authorities when Code of Ethics, professional standards, and – Effective communication, in accordance required. equality, diversity and human rights. – Conceptual knowledge of social behaviour and with the varied needs of differing situations, society, including their origins, development, individuals, groups and communities. Use of – An ability to interview victims, witnesses – A systematic knowledge of key cross-cutting organisation, networks and institutions and own communication skills to manage planned and suspects (including those who may be and inter-dependent areas of policing, including: how this relates to policing across diverse and and uncertain situations, and to persuade/lead non-compliant, or have been intimidated or roles and responsibilities, criminal justice, increasingly complex communities. others as needed. coerced) effectively, in relation to a range of counter terrorism, vulnerability (including public investigations, some of which may be multi- protection and mental health) and risk. – A systematic knowledge and understanding of – An ability to gather, handle and accurately dimensional. the causes, mitigations and prevention of crime analyse information and intelligence from a – A detailed understanding of applicable aspects and how this knowledge and understanding variety of sources to support law enforcement – Systematic assessment of risk and threats across of Authorised Professional Practice, legal can influence and be applied to accountable and to maximise policing effectiveness. increasingly complex policing contexts, taking and organisational requirements relating to decision-making in all operational environments. decisions and critically evaluating initiatives and the operational policing context (response, – Effective management of dynamic conflict their outcomes, including the impact of differing community, intelligence, investigation and – Conceptual knowledge, understanding and situations in policing through leadership, and actions and methods, in accordance with the roads/transport), including how to: expertise relevant to organisational/local needs, by dealing with a wide range of behaviours and policing national decision-making model and including the following operational policing incidents, taking personal accountability for the evidence-based principles. Taking account of – effectively respond to incidents, preserving contexts: response, community, intelligence, use of proportionate and justifiable responses the best available evidence from a wide array of scenes and evidence when necessary; investigation and roads/transport. and actions. sources, including research and analysis, when – manage and resolve conflict safely and making decisions. Applying justified discretion – A coherent and detailed knowledge of different – Accurate management of effective and ethical lawfully;arrest, detain and report individuals when appropriate and it is in the public interest approaches to systematic evidence-based searches for evidence and information in safely and lawfully; to do so. preventative policing, including how to critically differing environments. Taking considered – arrest, detain and report individuals safely and analyse, interpret, implement, share and responsibility for courses of action required to – Accurate use of police legal powers to deal with lawfully; evaluate findings to problem solve and further follow-up on findings (within remit of own role) suspects, victims and witnesses across various – conduct diligent and efficient, priority and positive outcomes. These may relate to internal to maintain the peace and uphold the law. challenging situations, conducting all actions high volume investigations; organisational practice or external social or in a balanced, proportionate and justifiable – An ability to provide an initial, autonomous and – effectively interview victims, witnesses and criminal factors. manner. ongoing response to incidents, which can be suspects; complex, confrontational and life-threatening, – An ability to proactively introduce new ways of – systematically gather, submit and share to bring about the best possible outcomes. working and innovation to police work where information and intelligence to further Providing an initial autonomous response to appropriate and possible, and apply critical policing-related outcomes; crime scenes, where encountered, that require thinking across policing activities within own – meticulously and ethically search individuals, the management and preservation of evidence area of responsibility. vehicles, premises and outside and virtual and exhibits. spaces; – An ability to plan, accurately apply and – An ability to provide coherent leadership – optimise the use of available technology; critically evaluate different policing approaches to protect the public, and empathetic and alongside partner organisations as part of a – risk manage health and safety for self appropriate support to victims, witnesses and multi-disciplinary team to address identified, and others. vulnerable people. often complex, issues, concerns and situations to reduce and prevent crime in communities. – Effective and efficient management and conduct Providing supportive leadership to community of priority and high-volume investigations. Using groups, making informed decisions that initiative to diligently progress investigations, encourage the delivery of localised strategies. identifying, evaluating and following lines of . . 16 17 behaviours – Take accountability - Be accountable and take ownership for own role and responsibilities, whilst being effective and willing to take appropriate, justifiable risks.

– Professional integrity - Maintain the highest standards of professionalism and trustworthiness, making sure that values, moral codes and ethical standards are always upheld, including challenging others where appropriate.

– Emotionally astute - Understand and effectively manage own emotions in stressful situations, understanding motivations and underlying reasons for own behaviour and that of others, including colleagues. Value diversity and difference in approaches to work, thinking and background, and treat people with sensitivity, compassion and warmth.

– Curious and innovative - Have an inquisitive and outward-looking nature, searching for new information to understand alternative sources of best practice and implement creative working methods. Committed to reflecting on how own role is undertaken, learning from success and mistakes, to continuously review and adapt approach.

– Collaborative - Work effectively with colleagues and external partners, sharing skills, knowledge and insights as appropriate to lead to the best possible results.

– Supportive and inspirational leading - Role model the police service’s values in day-to-day activities, providing inspiration and clarity to colleagues and stakeholders. Consider how the wider organisation and others are impacted, and help others to deliver their objectives effectively. . . 18 19 20. Structure Programme LC626 LC625 LC624 WB502 WB501 LC521 LC520 WB401 LC422 LC421 LC420 Module Code End pointassessment Leadership andcommunication inpolicing Complex andstrategic policing Organisational skillsandbehaviours Action intheworkplacecontext Ethical investigative policing Community andpartnershippolicing Investigating work-based learningandself-review Ethical problem-solving inprofessional policing Legislative andpracticalpolicingprocesses Introduction toprofessional policing Module Title 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 Course Stage / Year C C C C C C C C C C C Status in Award C = Core / O=Optional 60 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 Credit value n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Semester Taught of yourprogramme. will beprovided directly toyouat thestart Thames Valley Police,asyouremployer-force, of Policing,astheProfessional Body, and The specific requirements of theCollege Professional Body Requirements university e-mails. no changes,andensure that youcheckyour beginning of eachweektoensure there are reason you shouldcheckyourTimetableat the to youthrough Blackboard ande-mail.Forthis any suchchangestoyourtimetablewillbenotified to 7daysbefore any lecture, seminarorworkshop – Blackboard. Your Timetableissubjecttochangeup You canaccessyourpersonaltimetableonlinevia Accessing your timetable and student. regarding yourrole asaPoliceConstable within thishandbookthat provides fulldetails Please refer totheadditional information section planning your studies access itsfullpotentialduringthecourseof yourstudies. University premises. You willreceive afullinductiontousingBlackboard earlyintheprogramme sothat youcan Blackboard isaccesseddirectly viamy.bucks.ac.uk regardless of whetherornotyouare onThamesValley or Any communication from theUniversitywillbesenttoyouruniversitye-mailaddress. forward thiseithertoyourpersonale-mailaddress oranothere-mailaddress that youregularly monitor. announcements willbemadeviaBlackboard –youwillhave auniversitye-mailaddress, andyoushould can alsocommunicate andcollaborate withyourfellow studentsandprogramme tutors.Anycourse-specific device. Here youwillgetaccesstoonlineprogramme information andaccesstootheronlineresources. You The University’s‘virtuallearningenvironment’ –Blackboard –isaccessibleviadesktop,laptopandmobile Virtual LearningEnvironment(Blackboard) and theassessmentstrategy. Detailof theassessmentstrategy isgivenbelow. your programme. Thesedocumentswillgiveanoverviewof howthemoduleistaught,indicative content, Please refer toindividualmodulehandbooks andassessmentbriefsfor fulldetailsonthetaughtelementsof is taught how your programme Core modulesand

21. programme your team Programme roles The following are a set of roles that are found Module Leader contact details on this programme – some relate only to roles Contact details for University staff with key offered by the University. Depending on the nature Modules are individual parts of programmes - responsibility for your programme are shown of any inquiry you have, you may wish to contact typically each year of a programme includes four below. Details of Thames Valley staff with the relevant individual. If you feel that issues modules. The Module Leader will be the person responsibility for your programme will be provided have not been resolved at the levels mentioned directly responsible for co-ordinating the module to you when you start on the programme. below, you can also contact the Programme Lead and setting the module assessments. This person (for matters relating to the academic elements may also teach elements of your programme and The telephone number of the programme) or the Head of Learning and will normally be your first point of call for issues Professional Development’ for Thames Valley Police. specifically relating to that module. for the University is Tutor Constable School Registry Officer 01494 522141 You will be allocated a Tutor Constable when you The Registry Officer is a member of University are undertaking your initial 10 weeks of operational staff and has responsibility for ensuring that the deployment. The Tutor’s role is to support and guide administrative side of your programme runs Name Role Ext Email smoothly. They will normally be your first port you to start to develop your operational competence John Nesbitt Programme Leader 3436 [email protected] and confidence. of call for questions about and interpretation of any University Regulations which relate to your programme, and are supported by Dr. Chris Sambrook Senior Lecturer 4010 [email protected] Development Assessment Registry Administrators. Officer (DAO) Teyaba Jabbar School Administrator 4053 [email protected] The DAO is your personal coach and mentor Apprenticeship Partnership Rachael Atkinson School Administrator 5209 [email protected] throughout the entire programme. They will monitor Manager your progress and will assist you in becoming an Di Cameron Registry Officer 3244 [email protected] autonomous and creative learner. They will also The Apprenticeship Partnership Manager will be support you in gaining the knowledge and skills your first point of contact when it comes to tripartite Sarah Wilden Registry Officer 2328 [email protected] necessary for modern day policing. reviews and for helping you to evidence your progress against your apprenticeship, using Aptem, Programme Leader the University’s learner management system. Programme Your Programme Leader is the person with overall Administrative Support responsibility for the degree-elements of your course of study. They work closely with the Head of The Programme Leader and Academic Staff are often Learning and Professional Development for Thames on-site at , and the best way to contact Valley Police and between them, these individuals them is by e-mail. The Registry team (that includes are responsible for the delivery of all aspects of the your Registry Officer and Registry Administrators) are programme. You can raise any issues you may have at the University Campus in . Any of with the running of your programme with your these Registry staff can be contacted by telephone Programme Leader. (see above) between 10:00 – 16:00 hrs Monday to Friday, or by e-mail. Our aim is to respond to e-mail within two working days. . . 22 23 Be the difference in your commmunity

We use volunteers to act as members of the public, offenders, witnesses etc. to ensure the scenarios our student officers are trained on are as realistic as possible. . . 24 25 assessmentassessment

For detailed information on this section you may Turnitin wish to consult the Assessment of Students formal How to reference Arrangements for Examinations document, available online or via your Registry sources appropriately The University uses Turnitin which is a web-based and Time-Constrained Officer. Specific regulatory documents are also service that provides a comprehensive checking referred to as required. We expect and require you to present work for of submitted student work for matching text on Assessments (TCAs) assessment that is your own. In the course of web pages, electronic journals and previously your academic writing, you will be expected to submitted student work. Although Turnitin does not Your programme has been designed so that your How you will be assessed develop your own views and ground these in the ‘detect’ plagiarism, it does assist the identification summative assessment will be course-work based, ideas, research and published work of others. In of potential plagiarism and incorrect or poor source however there will also be two time-constrained Please see specific assignment briefs provided doing so, however, you must always acknowledge referencing. For further information please refer examinations (TCAs) in year 1. Time Constrained on Blackboard together with the relevant module these authors in your own work by referencing to the Turnitin Policy on Blackboard. The Turnitin Assessments (TCAs) are assessments with an handbook that will both provide specific details on appropriately. website can be accessed from the below web link. examination-type format, which occur within normal how you are assessed for the degree-elements of Login will be your university e-mail e.g. 123456@ class time. Module tutors will provide information your programme. The assessment method will be There are many systems for the citation of bucks.ac.uk and your Blackboard password. about these, but it is your responsibility to ensure you the most relevant and valid method in relation to references, but this programme uses the Harvard attend when required – you must attend at the time the module, and the academic outcomes to be Referencing System. A guide to using Harvard at www.turnitinuk.com/login / date published by your tutor. You will also be given assessed. Details of the methods are included Bucks is produced by the University’s Learning plenty of notice as to the date and time of the TCA. in the module descriptors. Development Unit and is available to download (or to purchase) on Blackboard. There is also a short How to submit your work As you will be registered on the module(s) with Operational assessment will be recorded in your learning package available to you on Blackboard, as formal examinations (TCAs) you will be automatically Operational Competence Portfolio and this will well as on-line guidance through the following link – For all pieces of assessment you should receive a registered for the examination. The University include you working towards achieving independent www.citethemrightonline.com written Assignment Brief, which will be provided to Examination Handbook contains all the information patrol status and full Operational competence. you electronically via Blackboard. The Assignment you need on exams as well as important details of Details of your end point assessment (as an Without clear referencing, a reader may have Brief will provide you with full details of the nature what you are allowed to bring in to the exam room. integrated element of your apprenticeship) are difficulty distinguishing between your ideas and of the task, the expected format for presentation, Whilst University exams are normally held in January explained in the College of Policing Guidance on those of others, and this may lead to suspicions of details of how the work will be assessed and the and May/June and re-sit examinations in mid-late End Point Assessment documentation. plagiarism. Similarly, if you offer no comment or criteria which will be used and any constraints (such August, the nature of your programme means that narrative to connect citations with your argument, as word count) or requirements (such as referencing these will be held at pre-set weeks in your timetable especially later in your course, this may also appear of sources). The Brief will also provide details of how and will always be when you are at Sulhamstead for to be plagiarism. Plagiarism is the use of someone you should submit your work, the submission date training. Information about re-sitting examinations else’s work without due acknowledgement whether and deadline time as well as when and how you can and resubmitting assessment work is included in or not this was intentional. Plagiarism applies not expect to receive feedback. Feedback on summative ‘What happens if you fail an assessment or module?’ only to text, but to other media such as graphics, work (such as essays or workshop reports) will be on the next page. tables, formulae, computer code, illustrations or provided to you three weeks after the submission any representation of ideas in print, electronic or date. (See ‘Marking and feedback on your work’ below.) any other media. It applies to published text such as books and journals as well as Thames Valley There may be instances where you are asked to Police policies and College of Policing material. It undertake shared learning with a group of students also includes unpublished text such as lecture slides but the final submitted work must be your own. You and hand-outs, other students’ work as well as your must not collude with another student to present own previously assessed work. If you do not clearly the same work either as separate submissions or as reference your work, you may find yourself under submissions for another piece of work. If you do so, investigation for academic misconduct. There are this may lead to you being investigated for academic guides to avoiding plagiarism available for you on misconduct. In serious cases, this may also constitute Blackboard. a discipline offence under Police Regulations. . . 26 27 ratified by an Assessment Board following both You will be made aware of the External Examiner What to do if you are going to be internal and external moderation processes. moderating your award via the Programme Regulation 13 (Police Regulations) Committee organization on Blackboard, where you unable to submit your work on Police Regulations 2003, (Regulation 13) provides You can expect to receive feedback on your assessed will also be able to access the most recent external that, during the period of probation in the force, the work within three working weeks of the submission examiner annual report. Under no circumstances, time or attend an examination service of the probationer constable (referred to date. Where work has been submitted electronically, however, should you attempt to make direct contact henceforth in this policy as officer) may be dispensed or TCA feedback will also normally be available electronically with any external examiner regarding your individual with at any time, if the chief officer of police considers via the e-submission portal. Feedback should enable performance; doing so may lead to disciplinary that they are not fit, physically or mentally, to perform If you are going to be unable to submit your work you to identify deficiencies in your work and specific action under the University Rules. the duties of their office, or they are not likely to by the deadline, attend an examination or are areas where improvement is necessary. Where it is become an efficient or well conducted constable. experiencing other difficulties you should inform not possible to receive feedback within the three- your module leader or Registry Officer immediately. week period, you will receive an alternate date from How your final award the Module Leader. They will be able to advise you on the most is calculated appropriate course of action, which may be an application for an extension, a claim for mitigating What happens if you fail a module This programme conforms to the approved circumstances or in some cases, an application University procedures as detailed on the to interrupt your studies. Doing nothing may or piece of assessment? University website. make things more difficult for you in the long run. Information about the University policies on If you have not received a pass mark for a module mitigating circumstances (Mitigating Circumstances) or piece of assessment you may be required to be Progression gateways reassessed (referred) in the component(s) which you or Interruption, Withdrawal or Transfer of Studies The degree apprenticeship is structured with three have failed. Procedure, is available from the Bucks website ‘progression gateways’ with certain achievements www.bucks.ac.uk . However, if you are experiencing being made in order that you can progress to the difficulties with assessments, speak with your module Referral is not automatic and a decision will be made next stage of the course. The first is at the end of leader at an early opportunity, as interruption, by an Assessment Board who will consider your your first year, and you must pass all the academic transfer, or withdrawal will have implications for your overall profile of marks for the assessment stage in modules – which means achieving a minimum of status on the apprenticeship programme. accordance with the University Academic Framework 40% for each individual assignment. You must also and Assessment Regulations. If you are set referral have achieved ‘independent patrol status’ meaning Any work submitted beyond the stated deadline work this may differ from the original piece of work that you are able to patrol without the support of without an approved extension will be considered submitted so you should not simply resubmit the a tutor constable. Evidence of this will be in your to be a ‘late submission’. Depending on the nature original piece of work. Operational Competence Portfolio. of the assignment you may still be able to submit your work up to 10 working days beyond the original Either way you should wait for the Board to confirm The second progression gateway is at the end of submission date but this will generally have an what (if any) referral has been set and when and your second year, when you must have passed all the impact on the mark awarded (typically the mark is how this should be submitted. This decision will be academic modules for that year. Again, this means capped at 40%). Assignments will not be accepted notified to you, formally and in writing, within ten that you must have achieved a minimum of 40% for more than 10 working days beyond the original working days of the Board date. each individual assignment. submission date and a non-submission will be The third progression gateway is at week 40 in recorded (resulting in no mark being entered). If you In order to progress to the next level of your course, your third year, when you must have achieved ‘full submit by the stated deadline, you cannot also submit you need to pass all academic modules and also operational competence’ (with the evidence in your your assignment during the late submission window. meet the operational gateway requirements (see also Operational Competence Portfolio) as well as having the ‘Progression Gateways’ section below). If you fail passed all of the academic modules. As in earlier an assessment, and also fail any reassessment work, years, this means achieving a minimum of 40% you will not pass the relevant academic module. This Marking of, and feedback on, for each individual assignment. You will also have will mean that you will not have met the minimum completed your evidence-based project. your work standard expected of you, as a police constable, and Thames Valley Police would then implement Your Assignment Brief will indicate how your Once you have passed the third progression Regulation 13 process (see also the ‘’Regulation 13’ submitted work will be marked and what assessment gateway, you will undertake the End Point section below) which could result in Thames Valley criteria and weighting will be used. Assessment will Assessment, details of which are contained in the Police dispensing with your services. TVP do however End Point Assessment documents, which will be be linked to Module Learning Outcomes. The pass reserve the right to consider each individual case. provided to you once you are on the programme. mark for coursework assessment is 40% but pass marks for TCAs will usually be 60%. Your Module It should be noted that any progression gateway has Leader will confirm the pass mark to you in the External Moderation to be passed, by the time indicated, in order for you Assignment Brief. to progress to the next stage of your course. This External examiners act as independent and impartial does not mean, however, that you cannot pass a Your Module Leader will give you a provisional advisors and provide informed comment on the progression point at an earlier time – for example, percentage mark or grade for your submitted work, standards set and student achievement in relation to it is anticipated that most students will achieve ‘full normally through Gradebook in Blackboard. All those standards. They are a crucial part of the quality operational competence’ by the end of their second marks are provisional until they have been formally assurance of higher education. year on the programme. . . 28 29 respond. Support. investigate. . . 30 31 Additional Programme Information

Feedback on your End of course survey Being a Constable programme In the final year of your course Whilst we have tried to include you will be invited to take part information relevant to Thames We welcome feedback from you in the University’s programme Valley Police (TVP) in this on your programme, any areas feedback which is your handbook that is current, please of good practice and ideas for opportunity to give your opinions note that it is for guidance only. improvement; you will be given on what you liked about your You should always follow advice the opportunity to comment on time studying with Bucks as well given by Thames Valley Police your programme at various stages. as things that you felt could regarding all equipment, training, have been improved. Please shift patterns, behaviour, conduct Programme Committees / note that this feedback will and ethics. Student Representation only relate to the aspects of the programme that are delivered by This Degree Apprenticeship Bucks New University, and will Each subject area has a is intricately linked with not include elements provided Programme Committee where employability. Whilst it is a by Thames Valley Police. Your you can review and discuss requirement that you are a police feedback will be anonymous and operation of your programme constable, in order to complete individual comments will not be and receive updates on actions this programme, there may be attributed to individual students. that have been undertaken. reasons as to why you are unable The feedback will be used to continue as a constable. year-on-year as comparative Programme committees meet at This could range from you data to identify changes to the least twice during the academic self-selecting not to continue programme, but also to inform year and membership includes as a police officer through to prospective students and their your Programme Leader, disciplinary reasons. Read this families about the programme. Module Tutors, and student information carefully – it is representatives drawn from important. all levels of the programme, as well as a representative of Important Course Whilst it is not possible to list the Students’ Union. Records Specific Information: specific information, to address of programme committees all possible circumstances, there are available to all students via The Two Sites – High may be options available to you the Programme Committee Wycombe campus and if you either cannot, or choose Organisation on Blackboard. Sulhamstead: not to, continue as a police Here you can also find the most officer. You should discuss your recent copy of any relevant You will normally undertake your particular circumstances as they reports on your programme, for academic studies, alongside the relate to your academic studies practical training with Thames example the external examiner’s with the Course Leader at an Valley Police, at their training early stage. report and other recent reports centre at Sulhamstead. The about your course. practical aspects will include a number of Officer Safety You should also seek advice The Student Representation Training (OST) practical exercises; and guidance from your tutor System is managed by the practicing interviewing victims, constable, Development Students’ Union with annual witnesses and suspects; and Assessment Officer (DAO) or elections for representatives. other practical aspects. University tutor constable or supervisors Training for representatives is departments are based at High within TVP in relation to provided by the Students’ Union. Wycombe campus, but are also operational or policing-specific available to you. Please contact the Students’ issues or difficulties. Union for more information on how you can get involved. . . 32 33 monitored both by University published duty plan, indicating Behaviour, Conduct and TVP staff when you are the days and hours when you will and Attendance undergoing the protected be required to work, and when learning stages of your you have time off. Please always Your behaviour and conduct programme and this information check with your cohort year at all times needs to be will be shared between the calendar and / or duty plan. commensurate with your role University and TVP. It is essential of a Constable. Please refer to that you ensure that you sign the University guidelines and the register for each seminar or Independent learning TVP guidelines on misconduct teaching session you attend; that respectively. Please note that you keep your apprenticeship It is essential for you to continue a data sharing agreement is in training records up-to-date and to develop the skill of self- place with TVP and will relate you attend all your tripartite directed learning, to support directly to behaviour, conduct review meetings as required the concept of continuing and attendance as well as course under the apprenticeship professional development. Help progression and any academic programme. and guidance will be given in offences. order for you to develop this The tripartite meetings will approach to learning because Attendance on the programme happen at set times over all three as the year progresses it is is mandatory – if you are unable years of your programme. The expected that you will become to attend class you must contact dates and times of the meetings an independent learner. This will your lecturer in advance, via will be provided to you once you also help you to strike a balance email, to make them aware of are on the programme. They are between your working time as a your absence. meetings between yourself, your police officer, and your protected working time as an apprentice. Please note that this handbook DAO, and the Apprenticeship does not ‘stand-alone’. Whilst Partnership Manager. The containing detailed information purpose of these meetings is specific to your course it should to monitor your development be read in conjunction with: throughout the programme in relation to your learning. – Information on Bucks New University assessment processes Student support

– General Faculty/School and guidance information (and contacts). Whilst undertaking your degree – University regulations apprenticeship, you have access relating to Academic appeals, to a wide range of support assignment extensions, mechanisms. It is up to you to mitigating circumstances, initiate the appropriate support, academic offences and however, if you are in doubt complaints procedures. please ask your Programme Leader, Tutor Constable, DAO or – University facilities including police supervisor. IT, Libraries and Learning Development Unit.

– Module handbooks. Timetables

– Blackboard sites. As you are enrolled on a professional programme you will have different dates from the Attendance on standard University calendar. This means that published University the course holiday periods will not apply to your programme. During periods As you are attending a of protected learning, your programme that is directly timetable will be as published linked with your position as a for that part of your programme. police officer, full attendance For periods of operational is essential. Attendance will be deployment, you will have a . . 34 35 Academic staff Confidentiality Police Officer Health & Safety Occupational Health Unit responsible for the force wide (OHU) fitness testing of initial recruits, student officers and specialist absence Under no circumstances will the Unsatisfactory Injuries. Any injuries or ‘near departments. This includes the details of any victims, offenders misses’ must be reported to The OHU provides a service annual job related fitness test. Please note that if a member of or witnesses be disclosed to Performance and your supervisor or member of which aims to protect and the academic / teaching staff anyone outside of Thames Valley teaching staff prior to the end improve the health of staff. Attendance PDS also offer any staff member is absent and unable to deliver Police or their partner agencies, of your tour of duty or teaching The Occupational Health your taught session then every visiting Sulhamstead the use unless this has been authorised As a Police Constable you are session so they can be recorded. Practitioners are professionally effort will be made to provide of the Gym which is located by your Tutor Constable or subject to Police Regulations. It is the responsibility of each independent and provide an an alternative session. You will within the Personal Safety a police supervisor. As the This includes the ‘Police Officer and every individual ‘employed’ impartial, professional and be notified either via email or a Training Centre. All new users University are partners with Unsatisfactory Performance and by TVP to notify the organisation confidential service to all notice. If there are unforeseen are required to complete a gym TVP, it is expected that your Attendance’ policy which is based of any risk identified as soon as members of Thames Valley Police. circumstances that preclude induction before using this operational experiences will on The Police (Performance) it becomes apparent, this will us informing you, please adopt facility. Gym inductions take be shared with the University Regulations 2012 and takes include students undergoing Occupational Health specialises a mature approach to your place every Monday (except Bank lecturers, as part of your formal account of the Home Office teaching whilst at Sulhamstead in a two-way relationship studies and read around the Holidays) at 1600 and Tuesday at learning and in order to reinforce Guidance on Police Officer or other TVP premises. TVP between staff and the topic session as detailed in 0830, they will take in the region learning. However, anonymity for Misconduct, Unsatisfactory operates a no smoking policy organisation. A high standard of your module plan. You will be of 20 minutes to complete. victims, witnesses and suspected Performance and Attendance on all their premises and this care is provided and advice is informed as to how the learning offenders should be protected Management Procedures. This includes police vehicles. given by qualified Occupational will be caught up with at the There is also a sports hall – particularly in terms of any policy will be used to deal with Health Advisors, Registered earliest opportunity. available within the training written assessment work. Failure these issues outside of your Dynamic Risk Assessment. You Mental Health Nurses, Health centre which can be used for a to comply with this requirement probationary period. will be working in real time/ Surveillance Nurses and multitude of activities including in any formal assessment may real life and will be required Occupational Health Physicians. football, badminton and table Operational result in a grade of zero awarded to conduct an on-going and They offer a variety of services The intention of this policy is to:- tennis. Competence in line with University regulations. evolving dynamic risk assessment including: – provide a framework in respect of each and every – Counselling (via Employee to address any lapses incident you are involved in. Portfolio Assistance Programme) Welfare Services Use of Social Media in performance and/or If in any doubt this should A major part of learning & attendance and encourage be discussed with your Tutor – Eyesight tests for Visual The ever growing demands assessment will be through Social Media individual police officers to Constable or a supervisor and Display Unit users on the police service, coupled the Operational Competence achieve and maintain an should feature in each incident with the increased stresses and Portfolio (OCP) This will chart – Hepatitis B Vaccinations Thames Valley Police use acceptable standard de-brief. pressures of modern life, mean professional learning and official social media accounts – Night worker free health it is more important than ever identified development needs. – provide details of appropriate to keep the public up-to-date assessment that we all appreciate the need It will be assessed by a qualified sanctions when action plans with the latest news, advice and Sickness to look after our own welfare and assessor / Development to improve are not met – Physiotherapy information. As a staff member the welfare of our colleagues. Assessment Officer. You are you will be kept informed of If you are unable to attend any – Assigning Adjusted/ – promote fair treatment of required to complete learning information via our internal teaching session or undertake Recuperative Duties police officers The welfare department provides and reflective logs alongside this, communications, however it’s specific duties due to sickness, – Statements of fitness to work a service for all Thames Valley which will be available at the really useful to follow our official it is your responsibility to notify More information regarding the Police employees, members of University. social media accounts to see your Tutor Constable or shift Policy can be found on the TVP Where required TVP can also the , and what is being communicated to Sergeant, or if you are on a intranet site. make reasonable adjustments Force pensioners / widow/ers. the public. course, the course leader, prior to support you within your role to the start of your tour of duty They assess and offer advice on a Assessment e.g. by providing an ergonomic range of topics, i.e. relationships, Please remember that our giving as much notice as possible. mouse or a specialist chair. This You will be assessed across a bereavement, finance / debt, Electronic Communications will be subject to consultation workplace issues and stress. range of methodologies. These policy still applies to personal use with your line manager and the include observations of your Your Health and Welfare officers can also provide of social media. TVP social media Occupational Health Unit. small, immediate cash grants or performance, examination of the accounts include: product evidence created by you, Wellbeing loans where appropriate. If you witness testimony by a trusted Physical Development are finding it difficult to cope the Facebook - @thamesVP As an employee of the colleague and questioning of Services welfare staff are available to help organisation your health and yourself to gauge underpinning and advise by way of personal Twitter - @ThamesVP wellbeing is paramount! Thames knowledge. Physical Development Services interview, correspondence or Valley Police has an excellent (PDS) is responsible for delivering telephone. The office is based Instagram - @Thamesvalleypolice support structure in place which all aspects of the Personal Safety at Headquarters, Road, aims to support you whenever Training (PST) package, including , OX5 2NX. (tel: and wherever you need. Police Officer, PCSOs, Special internal 300 6912 / external and specialist policing 01865 541986). All contact is in roles. The department is also confidence. . . 36 37 Employee Assistance research shows that the http://knowzone/kz-wellbeing.htm Disclosure of DAO or supervisor by means of Programme estimated quarter of a million demonstration and being led by people who work and volunteer Workplace Needs Support Information yourself while supported and Corporate Health and Support in the emergency services are supervised by your tutor, DAO Services has introduced a new even more at risk of experiencing Specific Learning Difficulties Please be aware that as you or supervisor. In all cases there Employee Assistance Programme a mental health problem than the (SpLD’s) is an umbrella term have entered into a contract/ will be a de-brief of the incident (EAP) for all police officers, police general population, but are less for a set of neurological agreement with your employer, where you will be encouraged staff and special constables, likely to get support. conditions that affect the way either paid or voluntary, this to identify both the reasons for which is fully supported by the that information is processed allows the University to disclose success and any developmental staff associations. The Blue Light Information line and learned such as Dyslexia, information to your employer/the areas of your performance, offers confidential, independent Dyspraxia, Autism and Aspergers. funding body/sponsor under the together with a plan for the best This is a FREE, confidential and and practical support, advice and terms of the Data Protection Act possible application in the future. Up to 25% of the population are independent resource to help signposting around mental health (2002) Schedule 2 (para. 2). They thought to be affected by SpLD’s you balance your work, family and wellbeing. The Information During the second year of to some extent, however recent will be notified by the University and personal life. The service is line is just for emergency service your programme, you will research states that this figure about your attendance on study available 24/7, 365 days per year, staff, volunteers and their families, undertake attachments to is significantly higher within the days, your progress and the by phone or email. to help keep you or those you some more specialist areas of Military and Emergency Services. outcome of your assessments care about well for work. throughout/on completion of the policing operation – including Services that are available module/programme, however, neighbourhood policing; CID; the include: Despite the difficulties with Open Monday to Friday between traditional learning, people with personal information and grades Child Abuse Investigation Unit – counselling - if deemed 9am to 6pm, the phone number SpLD’s often have great ‘big are not disclosed to third parties or Domestic Abuse Investigation appropriate following triage by below is charged at local rates. picture thinking’, problem solving without your permission. It is Unit; the Video Identification the counselling team. You can also contact MIND at and lateral thinking abilities. Making anticipated that this process of Procedure Electronic Recording any time using the email or text the most of these characteristics communication will assist you (VIPER) unit; Crime Scene – work / life services - health details, for a response from a will benefit everyone. in your studies, allowing the Investigation; Public Protection and wellbeing advice, money dedicated advisor during the academic and practitioner based Unit; the Force Intelligence management, elder care Infoline working hours. Thames Valley Police are staff to work together to provide Hub; and the Multi-Agency / disability and child care committed to supporting officers you with maximum support Safeguarding Hub (MASH). Details support. The MIND team provides and staff with specific learning during your studies. of each of these attachments will information on a range of topics needs. be provided to you once you are – financial information – debt including: on the programme, but will range management, benefit advice, The Workplace Needs Support from between one day and one team can assist you by providing Learning and wills and probate, and tax – staying mentally healthy for week in duration. you with information on coping advice. work teaching strategies which may help you in In your third year, you will your career with Thames Valley Benefits – types of mental health You will experience a variety undertake an evidence-based Police. problem of blended learning and policing project which is part TVP police officers, police staff teaching methods throughout You can contact us at of the end-point assessment. and special constables qualify – how and where to get help the programme and these WorkplaceNeedsSupport@ You will be allocated a project for various concessions and include lectures, workshops, thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk supervisor from the University’s services, such as reduced gym – medication and alternative classroom simulations and treatments academic staff, to support you membership, travel concessions Flint House Rehabilitation practical sessions. You will be through your project. Details and technology savings. The able to access learning materials – advocacy Centre of the project, the role of the childcare voucher and cycle to from a variety of sources and project supervisor, and the end work schemes are only available – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder locations, including the University point assessment process will be to salaried staff. Benefits are not (PTSD) Flint House provides the highest Blackboard™ learning platform. standards of rehabilitation provided to you once you are on always applicable to everyone, the programme. so please check whether you are – existing emergency service services for both mental and You are expected to engage in eligible to receive a concession support physical health to warranted group discussions, debates and or service before requesting it. Police Officers, Retired Police independent study groups as – mental health and the law Staff not directly employed by Officers, Special Constables, well as the more lecturer-led TVP are not eligible for these Police Community Support style of delivery in order to learn Tel No. 0300 303 5999 (local Officers and more. benefits. The benefits portal is rates) [email protected] and develop collaboratively located at www.tvpbenefits.co.uk throughout the course. Text: 84999 Please click on the link below to find out more information. Mental Health Please click on the link below On your shift placements you will be learning vocationally in to find out more about the https://flinthouse.co.uk/ One in four people in the UK wellbeing support services a variety of real life, real time will experience a mental health available. Please note that this scenarios, these will be a mix problem in any given year. The link will only work when using a of being led by your tutor, charity MIND’s independent TVP computer: . . 38 39 The network is run by an elected We maintain a network of TVP Staff Support executive committee and is officer and staff representatives Networks governed by its own constitution. across the Force who can Support for your Studies Membership is free and open to offer confidential support on a Staff Support Networks are all personnel who are employed wide range of disabilities and available to support individuals by, contracted to or volunteer for other conditions, based on Academic support teams are personal development. Please LDU support is available in one- from minority groups. They can Thames Valley Police. their personal experience and available to help you to get the click on the link below to find to-one tutorials so input can be provide vital face-to-face support knowledge. To access one of our best out of your studies and out more. tailored to your specific needs. and work to share common Women’s Network representatives, email us. achieve your full potential. Small group and workshop concerns, issues, experiences and sessions are also available. National Police library solutions. The aim of the Women’s Network The DSN is represented at The LDU has an Organisation is to connect, support and the Force Diversity Board, Disability Service on Blackboard where you can TVP staff networks include - inspire police officers, special and champions the interests access a range of “Little Guides” Students’ Union The University Disability Service constables, PCSOs, police staff of disabled, injured and ill to academic and report writing, aims to help ensure that you get and volunteers both male and employees and volunteers at essential writing skills and Advice Centre / Police Thames Valley Muslim the most from your experience female. It is for anyone who Force level. referencing. Recommended Police Association on the programme, in an Federation has a problem or needs to talk study support texts and online (TVMPA) inclusive learning environment. with someone away from their You can get in touch with the resources are also listed at the The Students’ Union Advice normal working environment, the DSN by e-mailing the Disability back of this Handbook. Centre is a confidential and The TVMPA provide support It offers a wide range of Women’s Network has members Support Network mailbox. independent advice service for Muslim staff, promote continuing advice and support at all levels of the organisation To get in touch, email the LDU staffed by professionals and run understanding of Islam to Thames for those with dyslexia, medical to give help and support to their Support Association for via [email protected] or phone for students. It is part of the Bucks Valley Police and promote a conditions, mental health colleagues. them on 01494 603070. Students’ Union and advice is culture of understanding between Minority Ethnic Staff difficulties and other disabilities. available to you if you have any the police and the Muslim (SAME) It can also help you with issues with the University. As a community. Membership is free Gypsy Roma Traveller applications for the Disability student you will be automatically and open to all personnel who Police Association (GRTPA) SAME is the support network Students’ Allowances (DSAs) and Library enrolled as a member of the are employed by, contracted working towards helping the can provide dyslexia screening. The University library service is Student Union. Please note, to or volunteer for the Thames The GRTPA was founded organisation become more here to offer you a wide range of however, the Students’ Union is Valley Police. as a support network for representative of its diverse Offices are available at both learning resources including: not the same as a Trades Union. police personnel from a GRT communities. SAME seeks to University campuses (the High This is important, as Police background. The GRTPA aims promote fairness and equality Wycombe helpdesk is in North Thames Valley Christian – Journals – online and print Regulations do not allow serving to unite and support all police for all. One of its key functions Wing; the Uxbridge helpdesk is Police Association (CPA) police officers to be members of officers and staff from GRT is to support colleagues from on floor two) or you can phone – Books – e-books and print a Trades Union. backgrounds and to foster good ethnic minorities and help The CPA is the longest on 01494 605049 or email relationships between the police them maximise their individual them on disability.service@ – The Bucks Knowledge Archive established police association in The Police Federation is the and GRT communities. Many staff potential. Membership is free and bucks.ac.uk. You can also – a digital repository of the world. It believes that faith representative body for you as members from GRT communities open to everyone who supports find more information via the research output from Bucks is an integral part of life and police officers. They offer advice are anxious and concerned about the aims and objectives of our Disability Service organisation on that it’s important to share our – Box of Broadcasts – a media and support to police officers revealing their identities, the group. Blackboard. faith in the workplace. We offer archive where you can and are available to you if you GRTPA is here for you. GRTPA great encouragement to people view or listen to over one have any issues relating to your membership is open to anyone, To access and join any of the Thames Valley Police have their wanting to explore the Christian million television and radio role as a police officer. The Police regardless of background, to Thames Valley Police Staff own Workplace Needs Support faith and to people just beginning programmes Federation can be contacted on help our organisation work with Support Networks please click on Service, however we encourage their journey of faith. We offer 01844 261811 or via e-mail at all our colleagues and partners. the link below. Please note that students requiring disability opportunities for members to – To access the full range [email protected] and their Our dedicated email address is this link can only be accessed support whilst on programme to meet together, and provide of library information and office is open Monday to Friday [email protected]. when using a TVP computer. contact the University Disability prayer support for all members of resources login to the Library during normal working hours. police.uk Service in the first instance. Organisation on Blackboard Thames Valley. via https://my.bucks.ac.uk. You can contact the Students’ Disability Support Thames Valley LGBT+ Union Advice Centre at the High Network (DSN) Learning – For detailed support you can Police Network contact your Subject Librarian. Wycombe Campus via the offices Development Unit A list of Subject Librarians on the Ground Floor in North The Thames Valley Police DSN Established with the support of and the subject areas they Wing (Tel: 01494 603016). At supports officers, staff, volunteers Thames Valley Police and the The Learning Development Unit cover is available in the Library Uxbridge, the Centre is in Room and families affected by all National LGBT Police Network, (LDU) is available to support Organisation on Blackboard. 1.02 on the First Floor (Tel: 01494 aspects of disability, illness and Thames Valley LGBT+ Police you to develop your academic 605180). You can also contact injury. We will also support the Network aims to provide a local writing, presentation and – The National Police Library them directly via email (suadvice@ Force to provide the best possible staff support network for both research skills as well as a host of has a wide range of resources bucks.ac.uk) or visit their website service to members of public who gay and non-gay members of the other skills critical for success. to support your work and (bucksstudentsunion.org/advice). identify as disabled organisation. . . 40 41 University Regulations and Processes

Every university has its own academic regulations. These set out the rules, processes and practices relating to all parts of your life at university and tell you exactly what you need to do to progress and ultimately pass your programme and what to do if you don’t.

Some of the more common processes you may encounter are listed below with a brief explanatory note. A full listing of all formal documents is available on the University’s website. For more information or guidance please contact your School Registrar.

– Academic Appeals Process – Fitness to Study Procedure This document describes the institution-wide A student is fit to study when they have the process for the management of academic capacity to engage satisfactorily in relation appeals for students on taught and research to their academic commitments and in life programmes. generally at the University. The University may determine, in accordance with this procedure – Academic Misconduct that a student is unfit to study and this may The University has a duty to maintain the result in suspension or termination of their standards of its awards by ensuring the integrity registration with the University. of all aspects of the assessment process. Academic misconduct occurs when a student – Interruption, Withdrawal or Transfer of fails to comply with University regulations Studies Procedure relating to assessment. Cheating, plagiarism, This policy articulates the expectations of the collusion and impersonation are all categories of University with regards to interruption of studies misconduct recognised by the University. (voluntary academic suspension), withdrawal or transfer of studies (either internally or – Assessment of Students externally).. The University requires that all student assessment conforms to its policies, procedures – Mitigating Circumstances and regulations on the setting of assessments The University recognises that sometimes events and the marking and moderation of these happen to students over which they have no assessments as detailed in this and related control and which can have a serious effect documents. on their capacity to sit examinations, attend prescribed placements, and complete the – Boards of Examiners assessment to their usual level of achievement These guidelines refer specifically to the or to published deadlines. These regulations roles and responsibilities of Boards and their set out the processes through which students members; they will be applied in conjunction can ask the University to take such events into with the University Framework and Assessment account. Regulations and with any specific professional/ programme requirements, which include details of the academic framework for Boards.

– e-Submission, Marking, Feedback and Moderation Policy This document outlines the University Policy for the electronic submission of assignments and their marking and moderation.

– Examination Handbook This document details the University’s examination process and the regulations that are applied. . . 42 43 Introductory Reading List

A digital reading list will be available for your programme, and will include details of core books, recommended reading and details of study and support texts as well as other on-line support material.

Harvard Referencing – Placement Learning Policy This policy articulates the University’s approach The LDU have developed the University’s definitive to, and core principles of placement learning as guide to Harvard Referencing. It is free to download offered within its courses. via the Learning Development Unit Organisation on Blackboard (under the Referencing tab). – Reasonable Adjustments for disabled students The University is committed to ensuring that You can also find add-ons for Microsoft Word 2007 disabled students have an excellent student and 2010 which will make a bespoke Bucks version experience in an inclusive learning environment. of Harvard Referencing available as part of Word’s Where possible, equity of access is achieved Citation and Bibliography tool, again via the LDU through inclusive design. Additional access for Organisation on Blackboard. individuals may be arranged and funded by the university. Refer to the policy for example areas where adjustments may be applied and contact the Disability Service for further support and guidance.

– Student Complaints Procedure All Bucks New University enrolled students have the right to complain to the University and to have their complaint taken seriously. These guidelines are primarily aimed at helping students to understand the complaints process and outlining how and what a complaint can be submitted about.

– Student Participation Support Policy The University believes that you are more likely to complete your studies successfully when you fully participate in their studies and actively encourages you to do so. The University is also required to monitor participation in order to fulfil its legal obligation to inform relevant external agencies of the status of its students on a regular basis.

– University Academic Framework and Assessment Regulations These regulations apply to all the University’s taught academic programmes delivered in the UK or overseas by whatever mode or regime. Variations to these regulations for specific modules or programmes are detailed in Programme Specifications and approved at validation. . . 44 45 learning Partnership Agreement

Our commitment yOur commitment to you to us – Everyone working at or for the University will – To treat all staff and fellow students with treat students and colleagues with courtesy and courtesy and respect respect – To take personal responsibility for your learning – Our staff will be punctual and well-prepared and development

– We will offer a stimulating physical and virtual – To fully contribute to an effective and enjoyable learning environment community of learning

– We will provide high-quality teaching and – To be punctual and well-prepared for all supervision scheduled learning activities including examinations – We will engage students in all aspects of curriculum design, development and evaluation – To submit assessed work on time

– We will provide access to appropriate – Never to submit work for assessment which is information, advice and guidance services not your own

– We will provide opportunities for one-to-one – To understand your responsibility to comply contact to help you review and plan your with guidance and regulations set out in your progress student handbooks and the University’s rules and regulations, and seek help when required – We will provide regular opportunities for student feedback across all areas of University life – To give your module tutor advance notice, whenever possible, of any absences – We will let students know how feedback has led to change and improvement – To interact with your student representatives and participate in feedback processes – We will offer opportunities to develop your employability and personal development – To take responsibility for your personal and skills development by using the information, advice, – We will provide guidance and feedback on good guidance and support available to you academic practice for University study – To respect the physical environment of the – We will provide effective and timely feedback on University and surrounding area and behave your assessed work respectfully towards the local community – We will provide advance notice of cancelled and re-scheduled classes

– We will make available information about all course costs including additional expenses . 46 Buckinghamshire New University Thames Valley Police Force Training Centre High Wycombe Campus Queen Alexandra Road Sulhamstead High Wycombe Reading Buckinghamshire HP11 2JZ RG7 4DX

Telephone: 0330 123 2023 Telephone: 01865 841 148 Fax: 01494 524 392 International: +44 1494 605 259 Email: [email protected]

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@BucksNewUni @ThamesVP

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This publication was produced by Buckinghamshire New University in October 2020

© Buckinghamshire New University 2020

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