What is a Probation Officer and how can you become one?

What does a probation worker do?

Probation workers are responsible for monitoring and supervising offenders who have been released from prison on probation (still serving a sentence just not in prison) Probation workers will work with the offenders to help them comply with the terms of their probation which has been set out by the court. Terms which could include drugs testing and counselling sessions. Probation workers will also provide probationers with resources and support to help them make positive changes in their lives and may also serve as advocates for probationers in court. The role could also involve working with victims, police and prison service colleagues on a regular basis. Some more specific responsibilities may include:

• Managing low and medium-risk offenders. Once you're fully qualified you'll also manage high risk dangerous and prolific offenders.
• Provide pre-sentence reports for courts on people charged with an offence, helping them decide what sentence should be passed.
• Manage and enforce community orders made by the court.
• Assess prisoners in prison to prepare them for release on licence in to the community.
• Help offenders serve community sentences to meet the courts requirements.

So, how do you become a probation officer?

You'll need to successfully complete probation officer training via the PQiP (Professional Qualification in Probation). Training lasts between 15-21 months depending on your current qualifications. In order to apply for 15 month training programme, you'll need

• Relevant experience of working with challenging behaviour.
• A recognised qualification at QCF (Qualifications and Credit Framework) Level 5 or above, for example, an honours degree, diploma of higher, foundation degree or higher apprenticeship.
• Prior knowledge and understanding in at least three of the four required knowledge modules which are: The Criminal Justice System, understanding crime and criminal behaviour, penalty policy & the punishment of offenders, and the rehabilitation of offenders.

If you've got relevant experience and a Level 5 qualification or higher but don't have any previous criminology education, you can apply for the 21-month training programme.

Training combines applied academic learning and practical skills in order to ensure you're prepared to produce reports. During training you'll be employed as a PSO (Probation Services Officer) and once you successfully complete the programme, you'll get a Level 5 vocational diploma in Probation Practice as well as an honours degree.

Scotland has a slightly different approach wherein you'll need an undergraduate or post graduate degree in Social Work as you'll be known as a Criminal Justice Social Worker. Your degree will need to be approved by the Scottish Social Services Council.

In Northern Ireland, it's a similar story where you'll need to be a qualified Social Worker employed by the Probation Board for Northern Ireland. You'll need to have some experience working with offenders and should apply through UCAS for a degree in Social Work.

What skills do you need to have to be a PO?

As well as an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the Criminal Justice system and how it works, you'll need to be adaptable and relatable. Some other desirable skills include:

• The ability to persuade and influence others.
• Team work and collaborative skills.
• A caring attitude.
• Case work and report writing skills.
• Problem solving ability
• Good judgement and quick thinking
• An understanding and appreciation of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.

Will you need work experience?

Ideally, when applying for PO positions you will have at least two years of recent experience. Voluntary work within probation or offender management experience with a related organisation will go a long way. The types of experience that will be considered include:

• Prison visiting services
• Victim support services
• Youth offending teams
• Community payback teams

It's worth bearing in mind that the quality of the experience is much more important than the quantity. You can find out more about the types of work experience that are available here.

Who will you be employed by?

In England and Wales, probation officers are employed by the Probation Service, which forms part of HMPPS, an executive agency sponsored by the Ministry of Justice. The Probation Service works with every part of the criminal justice sector to support the rehabilitation of offenders, while at the same time protecting the public.

In Scotland, local authority social work departments have responsibility for probation work (known as criminal justice social work). In Northern Ireland, probation work is carried out by PBNI.

Useful links:

• Train to be a Probation Officer
• The Scottish Government - Law, Order and Public Safety
• NI Direct - Crime, Justice and the Law
• Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC)
• Work experience and internships

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