Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
How to become a probation officer
Help offenders get back on track and turn their lives around.
What is a probation officer?
Probation officers work with offenders to help them integrate successfully back into the community and steer them away from future crimes.
How do I become a probation officer?
To become a probation officer, you'll need to gain a Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP).
Working for a PQiP means you'll need to train for 15 or 21 months depending on your qualifications. You'll also need a recognised qualification at Level 5 or above – an honours degree, HND, foundation degree, diploma of higher education or higher apprenticeship. A relevant degree could be in:
- Criminology
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Youth & Community Work
To apply for the 15-month PQiP programme, you'll need to show experience of working with challenging behaviour. Volunteering is a good way to gain this experience and to find out if the role's right for you.
What would I do as a probation officer?
As a probation officer you'll have a unique opportunity to make a positive impact, helping offenders to make better life choices.
You'll work with people in the criminal justice system to help them avoid re-offending. At the same time, you'll be protecting the interests of the community. Your work will involve:
- Working with offenders in the courts, in custody and out in the community
- Enforcing community orders (which are sometimes handed down in place of a prison sentence)
- Maintaining regular contact with the police, the prison services and the victims of crime
- Managing approved premises, where offenders and ex-prisoners are housed
Becoming a probation officer could be for you if...
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You're a people person
You’re fascinated by people, keen to understand what makes them tick and able to build a rapport.
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You have good ears
Every offender has their own story to tell, so you'll need to be a good listener.
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You want to make a difference
Working as a probation officer, you'll be making a positive difference to individual offenders and the wider community.
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You're a stayer
Probation work can be challenging – you'll need reserves of stamina and self-belief.
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You're a plate-spinner
You'll be juggling priorities across different agencies, so you'll need to be an efficient self-manager.
What are the typical working hours for a probation officer?
You'll work a standard 37-hour week, although the demands of the job may occasionally require you to work outside regular hours.
During training you'll earn £22,261, rising to £29,038.
Salaries for qualified probation officers range from £29,038 to £37,174.
Senior probation officers can earn between £36,084 and £41,020 depending on their skills, experience and qualifications.
Salaries for experienced managers can rise to more than £50,000.
