What does the role of Trainee Probation Officer (TPO) involve?

Definition and Job Purpose

A Trainee Probation Officer is an employee of a Probation Area, appointed on a time-limited (normally two-year) contract, who is working to obtain the Diploma in Probation Studies (DipPS). The DipPS is an integrated award, made up of a degree in Community Justice, which is delivered by Sheffield Hallam University in partnership with Bradford and Hull University, and a National Vocational Qualification in Community Justice (NVQ) at Level 4. Upon successful completion of training and award of the DipPS, a Trainee Probation Officer will be eligible for appointment as a Probation Officer. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

 As a person in training, the Trainee Probation Officer's principal objective is to undertake the academic work and experience in probation practice necessary to acquire, practice and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, values and competences required by the degree and the NVQ which constitute the DipPS. The Trainee Probation Officer's learning needs will determine the amount and nature of the work undertaken.
 

 In the course of their training, Trainee Probation Officers will undertake work on behalf of the employing Probation Area and will therefore provide a service to Courts, penal institutions, individual Probation Area users (or persons for whom the Probation Area has a responsibility) and local communities. A Trainee Probation Officer will therefore be required at all times to work in accordance with the Probation Rules, National Standards, the Probation Board's policies and all other relevant enactments and policies.
 

In particular, in all their work, Trainee Probation Officers will ensure that service delivery reflects the Probation Area's Equality of Opportunities and Anti-Discriminatory policies and will promote, especially by contributing to risk assessment and management, the Area’s over-riding responsibility to ensure the safety of Service users, staff and the public. 
 

Trainee Probation Officer Job Description

What it's like being a Trainee Probation Officer
 

Salary & Hours of Work
 

The contract of employment for trainee probation officers will be for a period of 2 years, during which time the trainee will be expected to obtain the Diploma in Probation Studies(DipPS).

The salary for trainee probation officers range from £17,191 to £18,406

Normal working week for trainees is 37 hours.

Trainees are entitled to 20 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays. There may also be additional statutory says given depending on the employing Probation Area.
 

Some really useful websites for background information on the Probation Service and Community Justice Sector are:

Home Office
Probation 2000
Community Justice Portal

For other useful sites please click here

What do Probation Officers do?

Make assessments to advise Courts and others, especially about the risk posed by individual offenders

Manage and enforce Community Orders made by the Courts

Work with prisoners during and after sentence to assist in their resettlement and to implement the requirements of their license

Work, directly and with others, to change offenders'  behaviour and to reduce the risk of harm

Work, directly and with others, to reduce the impact of offences on their victims

 - Ability to relate to others
 - Working as part of a team
 - Knowledge & understanding of
   group & individual work
 - Communication skills
 - Planning & Organising
 - Self Management
 - Motivation & Commitment
 - Values
 - Openess to new ideas
 - Problem solving

The closing date for applications for this year's recruitment of Trainee Probation Officers has now passed (25th April 2008). 2008 was the last intake of Trainee Probation Officers undertaking the Diploma in Probation Studies (DipPS) as a new qualification is currently under development. We are unsure when recruitment for the new qualification is likely to take place. We will update our website when we have further information about the new qualification structure and recruitment process, alternatively check the Home Office website for further information. 

Further details about being a Probation Officer can be found in the National Probation Directorate(NPD) Careers Booklet

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Able to demonstrate evidence of potential to work with people who have experienced personal or social difficulties

Have the potential to study at undergraduate level

There are no age restrictions to become a Trainee Probation Officer, however candidates must fulfil University matriculation requirements.