Probation officers, known in Scotland as criminal justice social workers, work with people who have committed an offence. They protect the public by helping offenders not to re-offend, and making offenders aware of the effect of their crimes on their victims and the public.

Probation officers work with offenders before, during and after sentencing.

Their duties include:

• interviewing offenders and other relevant people before sentencing
• preparing pre-sentence reports (PSR), to advise magistrates and judges on the most suitable sentence
• enforcing community orders – making sure offenders go to regular supervision appointments and take part in group programmes and/or unpaid community work
• enforcing court orders such as Community Rehabilitation Orders, Community Punishment Orders and Drug Treatment and Testing Orders
• running specialist group programmes to help to change offenders’ attitudes and behaviour
• providing reports and risk assessments to help prisons and parole review boards decide on early release
• working with prisoners during and after their sentence to help them back into the community
• working with victims of crime
• working closely with other agencies such as the police, social services, drugs misuse services and Youth Offending Teams
• managing bail hostels.

In England and Wales, the National Probation Service employs probation officers. In Scotland there is no separate probation service, instead local authority social work departments are responsible for probation work with young and adult offenders.

Hours and Environment

Probation officers usually work 37 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. They may sometimes need to cover night and weekend work, usually with extra time off to make up for working unsociable hours. Probation officers may have some freedom to organise their own working patterns. 

Officers usually have an office base, but they also regularly visit prisons and court. They spend some time travelling around their local area, so a driving licence will be useful.

Skills and Interests

To be a probation officer, you should:

• be able to relate to a wide range of people
• have confident spoken communication skills
• be objective and responsible
• be able to gain people’s trust and confidence
• be able to deal with stressful situations
• have good written communication skills, for writing reports
• be well-organised and able to plan your own workload
• work well as part of team
• be good at problem solving
• be motivated and committed.

Entry

When applying for work as a probation officer you must declare any previous convictions or cautions. This will not automatically prevent you from entering the career.

Employers also value any previous experience working with people, whether voluntary or paid. This could include experience with offenders or another vulnerable group. Life experience is also highly valued by employers and many people enter the profession as a second career.

England and Wales
To qualify as a probation officer, you must gain the Diploma in Probation Studies (DipPS) awarded by Skills for Justice. To enter the diploma you must be:

• at least 20 years old
• employed by a probation service as a trainee probation officer.

As a general guideline, you will also need the following academic qualifications:

• if you are under 21 - three GCSEs (A-C) and two A levels, or one GCSE (A-C) and three A levels
• over 21 but under 25 - five GCSEs (A-C)
• over 25 - you may be accepted without formal qualifications.

Check the exact entry requirements with your local probation consortium (see the National Probation Service website for details). Whatever your age and qualifications, you must pass a tough selection process which includes a written exercise to test your ability to study at degree level.

Scotland
For criminal justice work in Scotland, you must gain the four-year Honours Degree in Social Work and register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

To enter the degree course, you must have at least three GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) and two A levels/three H grades, or equivalent qualifications accepted by the course provider. Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

If you already have a degree (in any subject), you can qualify through a two-year postgraduate course in social work. You will usually also be expected to have some experience in social care.

If you are already working in social care, you may be able to qualify as a social worker through a part-time in-service training programme. See the SSSC website in Further Information below.

Northern Ireland
Probation officers are also qualified social workers. For entry requirements contact the Probation Board for Northern Ireland (see Further Information section).

Training

England and Wales
As a trainee probation officer, you will study for the Diploma in Probation Studies (DipPS) through your regional training consortium.

The DipPS is a two-year training programme, which includes both:

• the NVQ Level 4 in Community Justice, and
• a degree in Community Justice (Probation Studies).

The diploma programme is a mixture of academic work and assessed work-based practice. During training you will be paid a trainee salary and have your own supervised caseload.

Once qualified, you will be encouraged to continue your professional and personal development throughout your career.

Scotland
You must already hold the honours degree or the postgraduate qualification before starting work as a criminal justice social worker.

Once employed, you must produce evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and re-register with the SSSC every three years.

Opportunities

In England and Wales, the National Probation Service (NPS) is split into 42 local service areas funded by the Home Office. The NPS employs around 19,000 staff in probation officer and non-probation officer grades. They are mainly based in urban areas.

Competition for trainee probation officer jobs is fierce and only a small percentage of applicants are accepted. However, the number of trainee jobs is growing and qualified probation officers are very much in demand. Trainee jobs are usually advertised in the local and national press in March each year.

Non-probation officer jobs include Probation Service Officers (PSOs), community service officers and hostel staff. Experience in this type of work can be an advantage if applying for a trainee probation officer job. Contact local probation offices for information.

Experienced probation officers could specialise in areas such as hostel or prison work. Promotion to management jobs often means moving away from ‘hands-on’ work dealing with people.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Trainee probation officers earn £14,837 to £15,734 a year.
Qualified probation officers earn £21,324 to £28,672 a year.
Criminal justice social workers can earn £17,000 to £28,000 a year.

Some probation services offer a car user allowance. Salaries may be higher in London.

Further information

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