How to train to become a Probation Officer

The new Probation Qualifications Framework (PQF)

As of 1 April 2010 a training programme for Probation Officers was introduced by the National Offender Management Service (NOMS). The new Probation Qualifications Framework (PQF) replaces the Diploma in Probation Studies (DipPS). It will now be a requirement at applicants Probation Officer training will have spent time working as a Probation Service Officer (PSO) in the Probation Service.

The main driver for changing the way in which Probation Officers are trained is to ensure that future offender managers can meet the demands required of end-to-end offender management. The government believes that offender managers of the future need to be able to adopt a holistic approach to the management of offenders and increase partnership working to more effectively manage high risk cases.

The PQF is designed to introduce flexibility to the way existing Probation Service Officers (PSOs), with work related experience, are able to qualify as Probation Officers. There will no longer be the need to resign from current roles and become Trainee Probation Officers, suffering a reduction in pay and a sense that a backward step is being taken. The PQF introduces a new minimum qualification for PSOs that is in line with the requirements of the new Offender Management Act 2007. All PSOs recruited after the 1 April 2010 must successfully complete this qualification within 12 months of their appointment. Acquisition of this qualification means that you are eligible to apply to train as a Probation Officer

How do I to get on to the Probation Officer training?

The only way someone who is not currently an employee of London Probation Trust can train to be a Probation Officer is to become a PSO first. From time to time London Probation Trust will advertise vacancies for PSOs in the local and national press. Check this website for updates on this.

What qualifications do I need to acquire to become a Probation Officer?

Once a PSO employee there are two possible qualifications that you can acquire which will qualify you to apply for a job as a Probation Officer:

Three year BA Honours Degree in Community Justice – achievement of this qualification means that you are a qualified Probation Officer and eligible to apply for a job as a Probation Officer as vacancies arise. Qualification does not guarantee a job.

Graduate Diploma in Probation Practice – this qualification takes 15 months to complete and is for those with a relevant degree plus experience of working with offenders. Again achievement of this qualification means that you are a qualified Probation Officer and eligible to apply for a job as a Probation Officer as vacancies arise. Qualification does not guarantee a job.

A relevant degree is one of the following acquired in the past five years:

Community Justice Studies
Criminal Justice Studies
Criminology
Policing Studies.

How is the training delivered?

The academic input of the course is provided by the University of Portsmouth. It is delivered via distance learning, much of which is eLearning. The latter involves participation in online seminars/tutorials as well directions to publications and materials relevant to the course. Candidates are advised to have a Broadband connection at home so that they can access the necessary material to complete their assignments. However access to the University of Portsmouth website is possible from work based computers at London Probation Trust.

The practical part of the course is delivered by work based learning, which is accredited through Vocational Qualifications (VQ) at level 3 and 5. For a significant part of the course you will manage a caseload of offenders and be allocated work which will enable you to demonstrate your competency in relation to the VQ units you are required to complete. PSO learners will be managed, in the most part, by Senior Probation Officers and their work in relation to VQ units over seen by Practice Tutor Assessors.

There will also be regular workshops; academic based workshops led by the University or practice based workshops led by London Probation Trust Practice Tutor Assessors.

What is the content of the training?

3 year BA Honours Degree in Community Justice

Part 1 Foundation Degree: three applied academic modules:
- Understanding Crime and Criminal Behaviour
- Criminal Justice System and Legal Framework for Probation Practice
- Introduction to Effective Practice and Risk Management

Plus a Reflective report on Diversity in Practice and relevant VQ units

Part 2 Foundation Degree: four applied academic modules:
- Penology and Penal Policy
- Assessing and Managing Risk of Serious Harm
- Victims and Victimology
- Substance Misuse and Mental Health

Plus six VQ units at Level 5.

Part 3 Honours Degree: two applied academic modules:
- Dangerousness and Dangerous Offenders
- Strategies and Interventions to reduce the Risk of Offending and Serious Harm

Plus a work based project and three VQ units at Level 5 and three VQ units at Level 6.

Graduate Diploma in Probation Practice

The academic content is the same as Part 3 of the BA Hons Degree. The first six months of the training is spent acquiring the relevant VQ units and the next nine months completing the Part 3 academic modules, plus further VQ units.

For more information about becoming a Probation Officer please email:

London.probationrecruitment@london.probation.gsi.gov.uk