Training as a Probation Officer

To become a Probation Officer you must gain the Diploma in Probation Studies (DiPS). This is a two year undergraduate degree combined with a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Community Justice at level 4. You must be employed by a probation area to undertake DiPS.

Candidates aged must have at least 2 A level and 3 GCSE passes.

Trainee Probation Officers can expect to earn £14,476-£15,352. Qualified Probation Officers can earn between £20,804-£27,973.

Most of your study will be by distance learning and you will be assigned to gain practical experience by working in a probation area. You will be supported by a Practice Development Assessor who will act as your mentor and advise you on your work and study.

What you will study

You will learn how to:

• Compile pre sentence reports
• Address offending behaviour
• Assess and manage risk
• Deliver offending behaviour programmes

Once you complete, you are free to apply for any Probation Officer vacancies in England and Wales. Although there is no automatic guarantee of a job following qualification, newly qualified Probation Officers will be informed of forthcoming vacancies and encouraged to apply for posts in the Area or region in which they were trained.

How to apply

We advertise locally and nationally each spring for candidates to study for the DiPS. In the meantime if you require information please contact:

The East of England Probation Training and Development Consortium
Crowland House
Withersfield Road
Haverhill
Suffolk CB9 9LA
Tel: 01440 705875
Website: www.eeptdc.co.uk

Related websites:

- National Probation Service: Join us

- The East of England Probation Training and Development Consortium