Probation Officer

Probation officer - overview

As a probation officer, you’ll work with offenders to help with their rehabilitation and keep them away from crime. You’ll also work closely with the police, victims and other probation officers to keep communities safe. Keep reading to learn more about a career in this field.

Learn what the role involves below.

What does a probation officer do?

As a probation officer, you’ll regularly work with offenders in a variety of environments. You’re likely to be based in an office but will also spend time in courts and prisons, as well as taking a hands-on approach with clients in community settings. In England and Wales, probation officers are employed by Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service.

Your main responsibility will be to make communities safer by working closely with offenders, supervising and advising them before trial, during a prison sentence and after release. It can be a challenging role, as you’ll often work with people who have complex needs, but it can be very rewarding as you have the chance to help change lives.

What will your days involve?

Daily tasks will vary but could involve:

Advising offenders on issues like drug and alcohol abuse and finding work and places to live
Discussing and creating probation plans and helping offenders to follow them
Assessing offenders and giving progress reports to the courts
Making sure offenders abide by community orders and sentences
Motivating offenders
Testifying in court on behalf of offenders
Running rehabilitation programmes

FAQs

How much can you earn as a probation officer?

The average salary for a probation officer in the UK is £30,160.

Does a probation officer role involve travel in the UK or overseas?

Probation officers often need to travel locally during a working day. This could be to visit courts, prisons, community centres and offenders’ homes. Overseas travel isn’t normally part of the job.

Can you work from home as a probation officer?

The increase in usage of video conferencing software has made it possible to work as a probation officer from home. However, because of the nature of the job, probation officers usually deal with clients face-to-face wherever possible.