Serious and Complex Crime Investigator (Integrated Degree) Apprenticeship - Level 6

The broad purpose of the role is to conduct serious and complex investigations.  Apprentices will dynamically conduct investigations through research, analysis and planning to carry out operational activity. 

The Serious and Complex Investigators Degree Apprenticeship is for any investigator from the Police, national investigatory bodies or local investigation and prosecution agencies. The apprenticeship is for new to role and existing investigators working in the serious and complex arena who are looking to professionalise their practice with a transferable and recognised degree qualification. The apprenticeship degree combines academic study and practical learning to enable investigators to demonstrate operational competence in their field of serious and complex investigation. University learning sessions are geared to equip investigators to develop their critical thinking to demonstrate operational skills and achieve a BSc (Hons) Serious Crime Investigator degree.

Who is it for?

The qualification is aimed at investigators in law enforcement and regulated organisations who operate in the serious and complex arena. It applies to newly appointed investigators as a start their career or established investigators who are looking to professionalise their practice. Police officers who are newly appointed as trainee detectives would be likely to attract RPEL for the first year, a process which could be applied across law enforcement, although it is likely that wider law enforcement would undertake the three-year programme.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Serious and Complex Crime Investigator

Location
Stoke-on-Trent campus
Duration
Typical duration for this apprenticeship is 3 years.
Start date(s)

Typical start dates are in January and September

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Course content

The programme is modular and follows the duties and assessment criteria set out in the apprenticeship standard mapped to the College of Policing National Policing Curriculum for PIP 2 accreditation, which is delivered as 360 Credits over three years and is assessed at Levels 4 - 6 of the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

Level 4: Introduces professional investigation practice, legislation and policy that underpins the roles and responsibilities of investigators meeting the standard. Knowledge and skills relating to investigation are delivered. A study of criminological aspects of crime and crime prevention is undertaken, together with a strong focus on introducing academic and professional skills.

Level 5: Builds upon the learning achieved at level 4, with focus being on delivering professional investigations at serious and complex level, including deeper exploration of investigation strategies and the management of victims, witnesses, and suspects.

Level 6: Provides opportunity to learn about more advanced aspects of investigation and to conduct evidenced based research. Focus of learning in the first 26 weeks of the level is on career development beyond completion of the apprenticeship through study of a chosen optional specialist areas of investigation. Post week 26, focus is upon completion of the Evidence Based Research Project for investigators, which incorporates the Apprenticeship End Point Assessment (EPA).

Modules

Level 4 (Year 1)

  • Introduction to Serious and Complex Crime Investigation 
  • Introduction to Victim and Witness Strategy 
  • Introduction to Suspect Strategy 

Level 5 (Year 2)

  • Strategy Development for Serious and Complex Crime Investigations 
  • Strategy Development for Victims, Witnesses, and Suspects 
  • Advanced Concepts in Serious and Complex Investigation Duties 
  • Research Methods for Investigators 

Optional Modules (One must be undertaken)

  • Specialist Suspect Interviewing 
  • Specialist Digital Investigation 
  • Specialist Fraud and Financial Investigation 
  • Specialist Rape and Serious Sexual Abuse Investigation 

End Point Assessment

  • Professional Discussion 
  • Evidence Based Research Project for Investigators  
Serious and Complex Crime

Serious and Complex Crime

Video

Lecturer Nicholas Mills discusses the Serious and Complex Crime Investigator Apprenticeship at University of Staffordshire.

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Entry requirements

  • Level 2 maths and English (GCSE, functional skills or equivalent)
  • Ideally a level 3 or qualification in a relevant subject

Fees

For levy-paying organisations the cost is paid from their digital account at a rate of £21,000 per apprentice. For non-levy paying organisations there will be a financial contribution on 5% which equates to £1,050 per apprentice.

Delivery and assessment

Delivery

Online (face to face is an option for discussion with employers)

Assessment

Apprentices will undertake a series of operational assessments during the programme, which will be a combination of naturally occurring workplace activities and specific tasks set to reinforce aspects of the Degree Apprenticeship Standard and to demonstrate competence relating to core skills and behaviours required by the apprenticeship standard and the employer. These assessments will be conducted over the first two and a half years of the programme to establish that the apprentice has achieved the required level of operational competence.

The On-Programme assessment will take the form of completion of a Portfolio of Operational Competence, which will provide a written record to confirm the apprentice’s achievements. Assessment will be in the workplace and will be conducted by an operationally competent member of the employer’s organisation.

In addition to completion of the portfolios, apprentices will be able to use the summative assignments from the modules on the programme. (Only the assignments that are NOT based on reflective practice will be used).

End Point Assessment

The End Point Assessment (EPA) is taken in the latter half of the third year of the apprenticeship. To be eligible to take the EPA, apprentices will have to pass through the ‘Gateway’ at week 26 of year three. To do so they will need to have successfully completed all modules taken up until that point and demonstrated operational competence specific to their employer, through evidence contained in their Portfolio of Operational Competence.

The EPA is conducted by a qualified Independent Assessor who is not involved in the delivery of the programme.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills); written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy); academic writing (including how to reference); research skills; critical thinking and understanding arguments; and revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).

Additional support

Our AccessAbility Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment or learning difficulties. You will also have full access to our support services such as Student Guidance.

Feedback

Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Responsibilities

  • Employer must not ask the apprentice to contribute financially to the direct cost of learning
  • Ensure apprentice spends at least 20% of their time in off-the-job training
  • Enter into a contract with University of Staffordshire
  • Participate in reviews with the Apprentice and university, providing evidence and feedback on progress at work and success in meeting apprenticeship milestones
  • Provide a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets the needs of the apprentice
  • Provide apprentices with a contract of employment for the duration of the apprenticeship on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid at least a wage consistent with the law for both the time they are in work and in off-the-job learning
  • Provide the apprentice with paid time to attend off-the-job training, including additional support for English and Maths, or support accessed for learning difficulties and/or disabilities
  • Recognise that the apprentice must complete the apprenticeship within their working hours
  • Support the apprentice to gain new skills
  • A citizen of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA**) or have the right of abode in the UK, and have been ordinarily resident in the EEA for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning
  • Able to complete the apprenticeship in contracted working hours
  • Be an employee (have a contract of employment for the duration of the apprenticeship) on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid at least a wage consistent with the law for both the time they are in work and in off-the-job learning
  • Be in a new job role (nine months or less), or in an existing job role, where significant new knowledge and skills are needed – employer statement of justification needed (relevant to the apprenticeship)
  • Be in full-time employment for at least 30 hours a week
  • Has the right to work in England
  • Maintain a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets your needs
  • Not be enrolled on another apprenticeship at the same time
  • Participate in reviews with the employer and university, providing evidence and feedback on progress at work and success in meeting apprenticeship milestones
  • Administer the funding and running of the Apprenticeship Standard to an acceptable standard of quality and in compliance with the ESFA’s requirements
  • Agree jointly between the University, the Employer and Apprentice, an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) ensuring that satisfactory progress is achieved and to ensure that the contents of the ILP fulfil the requirements of the Apprenticeship Standard
  • Provide a safe, healthy and supportive learning environment, which meets the needs of the Apprentice
  • Provide off-the-job learning and assessment and oversee the on-the-job skills development as detailed in the ILP
  • Provide support on selection of the endpoint assessor, if applicable. The endpoint assessment will be completed by the learning provider for all integrated degrees

Careers

Successful completion of the apprenticeship provides a formal qualification to the recognised standard of operating at the serious and complex level of investigation. This award is transferable across organisations and creates a mobility across the sector to meet the aspirations of professional investigators.

Enquire

To join a higher degree apprenticeship programme or recruit an apprentice for your business, enquire with us today.

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