Probation officer : Training

Qualified probation officers are encouraged to engage in continuous professional development (CPD) and to develop themselves professionally through in-service training courses that are relevant to their jobs. Each trust provides their own staff development strategy and plan with a range of professional development opportunities to meet organisational and trust requirements. Probation officers can expect about seven days' training a year, as well as other forms of learning and development. Courses cover areas such as:

• sex offending;
• offenders and learning difficulties;
• suicide and self-harm;
• offenders who have committed hate crimes.

Courses may also be available in areas such as training and presentation skills.

With experience and relevant training, it may be possible to specialise in a particular area of probation work, such as working with sex offenders, high-risk offenders or on community payback.

Some probation officers take advantage of secondments that may be offered to spend time working for other agencies, such as in youth offending teams or prisons. Training for those who are thinking of becoming managers may also be available in some trusts.

Further study at Masters level may be possible, depending on the needs of individual trusts.