Probation officer | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Probation officers supervise people serving community and prison sentences and help them to stay away from crime.

Typical task
Working hours
Attractive values

Prepare and maintain case folder for each assigned inmate or offender.
Gather information about offenders' backgrounds by talking to offenders, their families and friends, and other people who have relevant information.
Interview probationers and parolees regularly to evaluate their progress in accomplishing goals and maintaining the terms specified in

Prepare and maintain case folder for each assigned inmate or offender.
Gather information about offenders' backgrounds by talking to offenders, their families and friends, and other people who have relevant information.
Interview probationers and parolees regularly to evaluate their progress in accomplishing goals and maintaining the terms specified in their probation contracts and rehabilitation plans.
Discuss with offenders how such issues as drug and alcohol abuse and anger management problems might have played roles in their criminal behavior.
Supervise people on community-based sentences, such as electronically monitored home detention, and provide field supervision of probationers by conducting curfew checks or visits to home, work, or school.
Investigate alleged parole violations, using interviews, surveillance, and search and seizure.
Recommend remedial action or initiate court action in response to noncompliance with terms of probation or parole.
Arrange for medical, mental health, or substance abuse treatment services according to individual needs or court orders.
Develop liaisons and networks with other parole officers, community agencies, correctional institutions, psychiatric facilities, and aftercare agencies to plan for helping offenders with life adjustments.
Administer drug and alcohol tests, including random drug screens of offenders, to verify compliance with substance abuse treatment programs.
Inform offenders or inmates of requirements of conditional release, such as office visits, restitution payments, or educational and employment stipulations.
Participate in decisions about whether cases should go before courts and which court should hear them.
Write reports describing offenders' progress.
Conduct prehearing and presentencing investigations and testify in court regarding offenders' backgrounds and recommended sentences and sentencing conditions.
Arrange for postrelease services, such as employment, housing, counseling, education, and social activities.
Provide offenders or inmates with assistance in matters concerning detainers, sentences in other jurisdictions, writs, and applications for social assistance.
Develop and prepare packets containing information about social service agencies, assistance organizations, and programs that might be useful for inmates or offenders.
Develop rehabilitation programs for assigned offenders or inmates, establishing rules of conduct, goals, and objectives.
Recommend appropriate penitentiary for initial placement of an offender.
Assess the suitability of penitentiary inmates for release under parole and statutory release programs and submit recommendations to parole boards.
Identify and approve work placements for offenders with community service sentences.

Average salary
31,578 GBP *
per year

Average salary for Probation officer

31,925 GBP
31,277 GBP

Average salary for full-time Probation officer

Showing:

31,578 GBP
31,277 GBP
31,925 GBP

Salary over time for Probation officer

Salary for this role has increased over time

32,182 GBP
32,012 GBP
26,478 GBP
27,100 GBP
32,819 GBP
33,771 GBP
31,578 GBP
35,332 GBP

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Future outlook for Probation officers

Balanced outlook

8 000+ jobs available

Balanced outlook

1% yearly wage growth (on average)

Very good outlook

26% chance of automation in the future

Which qualifications do I need?

Find out what you need to know in order to become a Probation officer and the highest average level of education for people in this role.

In terms of people already doing this job:

64% of people in this role have GCSEs or equivalent
10% of people in this role have a certificate of higher education or equivalent but no degree
9% of people in this role have do not have GCSEs or equivalent qualifications

You may be able to apply for probation jobs if you already hold certain qualifications approved by HM Prison & Probation Service. For example, a social work degree that includes a probation option.

You'll need:

patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
knowledge of psychology
to be flexible and open to change
the ability to work on your own
customer service skills
counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Get the right qualification to begin your journey to becoming a Probation officer

Policing

Attention to Detail Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. Dependability Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. Integrity Job requires being honest and ethical. Cooperation Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. Self Control Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

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Probation officer | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Salary statistics

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Future outlook for Probation officers

Probation officer - Your future job?

Which qualifications do I need?

Things to highlight for your Probation officer interview

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