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Probation officer

Alternative titles for this job include

Probation officers supervise people serving community and prison sentences and help them to stay away from crime.

Average salary (a year)

£22,250 Starter

to

£40,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

36 to 38 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends occasionally

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a probation officer

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

University

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • criminology
  • sociology
  • psychology
  • youth and community work

Other subjects may be acceptable.

Once you complete your course you can apply for the Professional Qualification in Probation training programme.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

Work

You could start as a probation services officer, then:

  • take the Level 3 Diploma in Probation Practice and further on-the-job training
  • get relevant experience
  • apply to join the Professional Qualification in Probation training programme

Volunteering

You'll be expected to have paid or voluntary experience of working with vulnerable people or people with challenging behaviour before you apply for training.

See Do IT and NCVO for information on voluntary opportunities in your area.

Direct Application

You may be able to apply for probation jobs if you already hold a level 5 or equivalent qualification approved by HM Prison & Probation Service. For example, a social work degree that includes a probation option.

More Information

Career tips

It will help if you have some knowledge of how the criminal justice and rehabilitation systems work.

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the Probation Institute for professional development opportunities.

Further information

You'll find more on how to become a probation officer from HM Prison & Probation Service.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • knowledge of psychology
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to work on your own
  • counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • the ability to understand people’s reactions
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In this role you could:

  • interview offenders before sentencing or parole
  • make sure offenders attend supervision appointments and take part in group programmes
  • run programmes to change offenders' behaviour
  • assess risks and write reports to help prisons and parole review boards make decisions
  • work with victims of violent or sexual crime when prisoners are considered for parole
  • work with prisoners about to be released

Working environment

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

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience you could become a senior probation officer.

With further training you could specialise in working with particular groups, like high-risk prisoners or those who have committed sexual offences.

Further promotion usually means moving into management and away from working with offenders. You could become an area manager.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a probation officer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Public Services First Diploma

  • Provider: BEXHILL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 11 September 2023
  • Location: Bexhill on Sea

Public Services BTEC Level 2

  • Provider: ST GEORGE'S ACADEMY
  • Start date: 01 September 2023
  • Location: Sleaford
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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