Probation service practitioner

This occupation is found in the Probation Service. The Probation Service is responsible for working to protect the public and reduce reoffending by working with individuals eligible for probation support at pre-sentence, or on probation, or in custody or with victims. Practitioners can be based in a variety of locations, including prisons, courts, approved premises, unpaid work, interventions teams or community-based offices and depending on their location, they will work with individuals due to be sentenced, people on probation or victims.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to protect the public by contributing to risk assessments that reduce re-offending, safeguard victims and rehabilitate individuals eligible for probation support, through effective engagement and interventions. Risk assessments can be conducted in relation to those who come before courts accused of offending behaviour, individuals convicted of offending behaviour and assessment of risk towards victims. These assessments may take the form of formal documents or may be as part of day-to-day engagement with individuals eligible for probation support.

Probation service practitioners will work with individuals eligible for probation support and other agencies to develop, deliver and review realistic plans to address needs and develop for individuals a route out of offending. This may include providing information and advice to courts such as sentencing recommendations, supervising people on probation subject to community sentences and custody, working in approved premises where individuals are required to reside if they are subject to specific sentencing requirements, working to supervise individuals sentenced to complete unpaid work in the community or delivering group interventions to deliver the sentences of the courts. The role may also include working directly with victims of crime to support them to access services and provide them with information about the progress of sentences imposed by the courts to protect them from further harm and offending behaviour.

Interventions delivered vary depending on the role and can cover a range of activities. This can include the completion of reports for a range of audiences, one to one intervention with individuals eligible for probation support, group interventions to reduce the risk of reoffending, provision of support and guidance and referrals to other agencies.

As a practitioner you need to be able to analyse complex information and make decisions, while being ready to listen and question things about people that others won’t. You’ll also need to understand and connect with people from all backgrounds and different situations.

Consistent risk assessment, professional curiosity and liaison with other agencies are key factors in effective management and support of individuals eligible for probation support. The role will include regular engagement with other agencies and colleagues to prevent crime and meet the needs of individuals eligible for probation support.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with individuals eligible for probation support. People they work with may demonstrate a range of challenging behaviours and diverse needs, as such, the employee will need to demonstrate a range of engagement skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences. They will need to demonstrate empathy, help individuals to change behaviour and access support. Employees will need to have good people skills and the ability to deal with challenges. They will also interact with colleagues and other agencies involved in the Criminal Justice system. The interaction will aid making assessments and delivering rehabilitative interventions. This ensures that the organisation is working to protect the public, as such, individuals will need to be able to alter communication appropriately for the audience. In this role the practitioner will typically report to a senior probation officer or equivalent other line manager.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for providing sustained support, advice and supervision for individuals eligible for services from the probation service. They will work as part of a team to meet operational targets and will make ongoing assessments and responsive decisions based on an individual’s assessed risk of serious harm, reoffending and needs.

In line with probation service policies and procedures, the practitioner must at all times demonstrate a commitment to equality and inclusion and an understanding of the relevance of that to the work they do.

The practitioner must follow all policies relating to the sensitive or confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this role and use computer base systems to produce, update and maintain records and other documentation within agreed timescales.

The practitioner will be required to maintain continuous professional development through out their employment and will be required to adhere to organisational ethics, vales and professional standards.