Probation service?

bestpud

Does anyone here know how one would become a probation officer?

I know they do training on the job, but is there any other way, and what would count as relevant work experience?

Tia

Oldernotwiser

The only way into the Probation Service is as a trainee through the annual recruitment scheme; that's why I always suggest to my clients that they have a back up plan.

The sort of degree and voluntary work you've been doing will be relevant but if you were looking to do something else then volunteering with young offenders or with NACRO would be particularly useful.

squirrelchops

Absolutley...ONW (as usual) 100% correct on this one. I had considered the probation service but due to the long time the recruitment process took (and rightly so) I ended up working in a childrens home and have now persued the social work route.

The probation service seem to really train you well...I mean getting paid to study in this day and age is a bonus in itself!!! I do sometimes wish I had carried on with my application but hey ho!

bestpud

Thanks. I was asking for my sister; I should have been made that clearer but dashed it off quick while she was here earlier.

She doesn't have a degree and would need to do something like an Access course, I think, as she has an NVQ3, but in Beauty Therapy, and she's not too confident with the academic side of HE. She started a PGCE (to teach Beauty Therapy) a few years ago but struggled with things like essay writing, essentially because she hasn't done anything like that since leaving school.

Obviously she'd have to pay for any FE course though, as she and her DH work, and she already has a level 3 qualification.

Is there any other level three qualification that would be better, do you think? I said an Access course but that's because I think mine was fab!

I'm guessing she would need GCSE English and Maths too?

She has some experience of working with offenders but not much, and in a teaching role. I will suggest she get some more experience.

This could be a very long road for her!

There in house training does look good in the adverts, SC, I have to say! Not really my cup of tea though!