The Datum Report

Occupation 2462 · Professional occupations

Probation officers

Probation officers work to rehabilitate offenders. They supervise, counsel and help them before trial, during any prison or community sentence and on release from prison

How people enter it

Candidates are recruited with a variety of academic qualifications or with relevant experience. In England and Wales all candidates must complete a two year Diploma in Probation studies. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, entry requirements are the same as for social workers. Background checks including a DBS check are required.

What the work involves

• produces pre-sentence reports to the court about an individual’s crime, their personal circumstances, the suitability of sentencing, the likelihood of re-offending and the future risk to the public
• enforces court orders and serves the public by providing a wide range of supervision programmes for those in receipt of a community sentence
• draws up probation plans with offenders and helps them follow it, advises them on any work and helps them with any family or social problems
• works with prisoners in giving advice on problems such as drug and alcohol abuse, addressing training needs, finding work and getting accommodation
• keeps accurate and comprehensive records

Also called

Inspector (National Probation Service) · Probation officer · Youth justice officer

What it pays

Every regional figure

ONS does not publish occupational pay below region. Cells the survey could not support are shown as withheld, with its reason — adding a region split to a specific occupation leaves roughly a tenth of cells publishable.

Common questions

Classified alongside this

Clergy · Social workers · Welfare professionals n.e.c. · Youth work professionals