Probation Services Officer

Typical Salary

£22,039 To £27,373

Typical Hours

37 to 39 a week

evenings / weekends flexibly

How To Become a Probation Services Officer

You can get into this job through:

a college course
an apprenticeship
applying directly

College / University

You may find it helps your application if you take a college course like:

a diploma in public services
a qualification in youth and community work
A levels

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You may be able to do a probation services practitioner advanced apprenticeship.

5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

You could apply directly for job vacancies with probation services. You'll need:

experience of working with vulnerable people or people who have challenging behaviour
a minimum of 5 GCSEs or equivalent qualifications

You can get experience through volunteering or paid work, or by contacting your local community rehabilitation company for opportunities.

If you're successful with your application, you'll train on the job. You'll do the Level 3 Diploma in Probation Practice during your first 12 months to qualify as a probation services officer.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

knowledge of public safety and security
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
excellent verbal communication skills
the ability to use your initiative
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
leadership skills
to be flexible and open to change
thinking and reasoning skills
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Day To Day Tasks

In this role you could be:

gathering information and interviewing offenders
assessing the risk an offender may pose to the public
preparing court reports
delivering individual or group programmes to challenge offending behaviour
helping clients get work or training, housing or drug/alcohol treatment
arranging and supervising community work placements for offenders
supervising residents living in approved accommodation
supporting victims of crime
giving education or employment support to prisoners in the community or before their release
working with other agencies like the police, drug and alcohol services, social services, and health organisations

Working Environment

You could work in a prison, in a court, in the community or in an office.

Career Path & Progression

With experience, you could move into a supervisory role, or train as a probation officer.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Further information

You can find out more information about careers, training and job vacancies in probation from HM Prison and Probation Service.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

pass enhanced background checks