How to Become a Probation Officer in the United Kingdom
Probation officers help people find jobs and accommodation when they come out of prison or a young offenders' institution. When a judge gives an offender probation instead of a custodial sentence he meets with the probation officer regularly and must inform the officer of any changes in his living and working arrangements.
According to the National Probation Service, to become a probation officer in the U.K. you take and achieve, the DipPS (Diploma in Probation Studies). The DipPS is a two-year diploma for the probation service.The article pertain only to England and Wales, law enforcement in Scotland and Northern Ireland is somewhat different. Appointment as a trainee probation officer with the Probation Service is necessary to take the diploma.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Instructions
-
1
Apply for a trainee appointment if you are age 20 and over. Entry requirements for trainees vary depending on whether you are under 21 and over 21 but under 25.
-
2
Take and pass two A level examinations and three general certificate of secondary education exams (GCSEs ) if you are under 21 or, take and pass three A levels and one GCSE to apply as a trainee..Take and pass five GCSEs if you are over 21 and under 25 to apply as a trainee.
-
-
3
Apply for appointment as a trainee and demonstrate academic ability under test conditions if you are 25 or over and have no prior, formal, educational qualifications.
-
4
All potential trainee probation officers take psychometric tests, must take part in group discussions, give presentations to other trainees, and pass written tests for appointment as a trainee
-
5
Trainees earn between UK£14,500 and UK£15,000 a year and up to UK£27,000 when they qualify.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
The U.K. has a consortia of probation services and you can apply for appointment as a trainee more than once.
References
- Photo Credit office image by Raimundas from Fotolia.com
