PROBATION OFFICER CAREER GUIDE

Recent reports have revealed a shortfall of 10,000 probation staff to manage offenders serving sentences in Britain’s communities.

With the government releasing tens of thousands of offenders early to create space in overcrowded prisons across the country, demand for probation officers has increased significantly. Are you motivated and resilient? Would you enjoy a career that helps individuals improve their own lives and futures whilst supporting local communities? If so, you could consider training to become a probation officer and help fill this employment gap. Our article reveals everything you need to know about a pathway into this career. 

What does a probation officer do?

Probation officers play a central role in the criminal justice system. Their day-to-day responsibilities involve working directly with offenders in the community after they are released from prison, supporting rehabilitation, and ensuring individuals are following the conditions of their release. In addition to supporting offenders, probation officers are protecting the public and communities. They do this by assessing an offender’s risk of reoffending and liaising with social services and the police. 

The role of probation officer is ideally suited to anyone who wants to contribute towards the community, work in a role where no two days are the same, and who also has the ability to deal with complex cases and make tough decisions. Skills such as empathy, resilience, and critical thinking are essential for success. Balancing offender rehabilitation with public safety requires someone who can think sensibly, calmly and objectively.

Training and education

To be a probation officer you must be at least 18 years old, have the right to work in the UK, have a minimum of a level 3 qualification in any subject (eg, A levels, a level 3 award, a level 3 national diploma or level 3 NVQ), and ideally have experience of working with challenging individuals. There are two main pathways you can take into probation work.

The first is through an academic pathway. You can complete a foundation degree, Higher National Diploma, or degree in criminology, sociology, psychology, youth and community work, or other related subjects. After finishing your course, you will then need to apply for the Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP) training programme, which is required to become a probation officer. 

Alternatively, you could follow a pathway to becoming a probation officer through employment experience. You can aim to work as a probation services officer, supporting a qualified probation officer. In this role, you can gain relevant experience, which will enable you to apply for the PQiP training programme. 

In both the academic and the vocational pathways, you would be expected to have experience in supporting offenders or vulnerable people, either through employment or volunteering. Both routes lead to the same final destination: a full qualification as a probation officer.

Day-to-day tasks of a probation officer

At the start of their career, probation officers begin by working with low and medium-risk offenders, both before and after their release from prison. For those not yet released, work can involve writing risk assessments and reports for parole hearings, as well as working with the individual to prepare them for re-entering the community (eg helping them access housing and support services). After release, the probation officer works to ensure the individual is fulfilling the terms of their parole, ensuring they attend appointments, court hearings and job interviews, as well as motivating them to make positive changes in their life after release. 

As mentioned, probation officers also have a responsibility towards the community into which offenders are released. This involves carrying out risk assessments, protecting the public by collaboration with other agencies in the criminal justice system and enforcing community orders made by the courts.

Career path and progression

After qualifying, you’ll begin or progress your career as an entry-level probation officer, working directly with offenders. After some time, you may decide to specialise in a specific area, such as working with high-risk prisoners. With experience, it is possible to progress to become a senior probation officer, taking on more complex cases or providing support to junior probation officers. Ultimately, you can reach managerial positions, which can involve overseeing a team and developing policies for probation services. Key factors to help your career progression include accumulating experience and developing skills such as leadership, management, communication, and teamwork. You can grow these skills on the job or, even better, through additional recognised education and training, such as a master’s degree or management training. 

A career in probation can be a rewarding and impactful role, in which each day presents an opportunity to make a difference in the community – especially at a time when officers are greatly needed. The role can offer a stable path and numerous job opportunities with clear progression, open to people from diverse educational and professional backgrounds. If you feel that a role in probation could be for you, and you match the requirement criteria, you can search for vacancies for the PQiP training programme via the Ministry of Justice website.