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How to get a job as a probation officer

So you want to be a Parole officer or, more accurately, a probation service officer (PSO) – which is the first rung of the ladder. Well, what do you do next?

You will be looking to join the UK National Probation Service, an organization that currently employs over 20,000 people and is now the main route to becoming a PSO (through employment and subsequent internal training and learning).

However, it is worth noting that before applying for any probation service position, and specifically if you are inexperienced, it is worth trying to get an idea of ​​what to expect before you apply. If you don’t, you could be in for a big surprise when you start! To get an idea of ​​what the Parole Service has to offer, and hopefully some first-hand experience, you can try contacting the Senior Parole Officers (SPOs) at your local parole office. If this is unsuccessful, try contacting your local alcohol and drug agencies to talk to and even follow professionals. Having these types of experiences on your CV will also help your application.

If you are successful in your application to be a PSO, you will join the Probation Service and you (all new staff anyway) will be expected to complete what is known as a Diploma of Professional Qualification in Probation Practice– Level 3 within 12 months. This leads to being a fully qualified PSO. AS the name suggests, VQD is all about ‘real world’ probation work or practice. To get the rating, you will work with real criminals.

By taking on this role and qualification, you will have an advisor to guide you through qualification, so don’t worry, you are not alone. It can also be a great learning experience for professional and personal development. Fortunately, there are no attempts to write.

Once qualified as a PSO, you can remain at this grade or continue your development to become a full-fledged probation officer. To do this, you will need to pass an interview and, if successful, you will be enrolled in additional training that will lead to a Bachelor of Community Justice, in addition to the Level 5 Vocational Qualification Diploma in Probation Practice. You are still employed and paid as a PSO but is also a full time student. This qualification usually takes around two to three years, but once completed he will be a fully qualified probation officer.

You may be wondering: what if I already have a degree? Well, there is an alternate route for those who have individual honors degrees in: Criminology, Community Justice, Criminal Justice, or Police Studies. In turn, the alternative route is also open to those with combined honors degrees where the ‘combination’ is Criminology, Community Justice, Criminal Justice or Police Studies with another social science or law discipline. Candidates with one of the above titles may apply to their Parole Trust for a compressed training program.

A few words before you apply to join the Probation Service. It’s worth reflecting on the idea that this kind of work is never about money. These roles are a calling. Although stressful at times, they can be very rewarding when you see the kind of positive difference you can make in people’s lives; not only the lives of criminals, but also their families, crime victims, and even entire communities.