Laura studied criminology and forensics at university before finding a job in housing at her local council. Looking for more of a challenge she then joined the Lewisham and Bromley Probation Service as a probation officer
What inspired you to pursue a career in the probation service?
My degree included a module specifically on probation, taught by a lecturer who had just finished working as a probation officer. This gave me a strong foundation in the assessment processes and theoretical underpinnings of the role.
After graduating, I initially worked in housing at a local council. While the job was fine, I realised that I missed the more complex and specialised areas I had studied at university - topics most people only ever hear about through TV dramas. I wanted to be involved in the real‑world side of that work rather than just the theoretical aspects. Probation felt like a natural fit.
How did you get your job as a probation officer?
Unlike most people who join as probation service officers first, I went straight into the PQiP trainee route. The training programme includes academic learning and supervised practice. It fully qualifies you as a probation officer.
I qualified a little over two years ago, and have been in the role ever since.
What did the application process involve?
It was a competitive process involving assessments and interviews through the PQiP programme. These focused on understanding risk, demonstrating empathy, and showing you could manage difficult information and sensitive situations.
What kind of tasks do you complete on a typical day?
Most of my work is face‑to‑face. I work directly with offenders in the community, supporting them to make positive changes, while ensuring victims of crime and the public are protected. I meet with individuals in the office and carry out assessments. I set my own diary and book appointments weeks in advance, which gives me a lot of autonomy.
A big part of the job is also working with partner agencies, such as housing, drug and alcohol services, and wellbeing teams, to help people access the support they need.
What part of your job brings you the most satisfaction?
It's the people. You meet the widest range of personalities you could ever imagine, and many have been through incredibly difficult things. Nothing in this job is ever black and white, and I enjoy that it constantly challenges the stereotypes people have about offenders.
What are the challenges?
Like any frontline role, probation work can be demanding. Caseloads can be busy, and the nature of the decisions we make means the work carries real responsibility.
Policies and processes also evolve regularly, so staying up to date is part of the job. But even with these challenges, the team's support makes a huge difference. We share knowledge, talk things through, and rely on each other's experience. Having that strong, collaborative environment ensures that even on the tougher days, you never feel like you're doing it alone.
How do you strike a healthy work/life balance?
One of the things I really value about the role is the flexibility. Because I manage my own diary, it's much easier to plan around life's practicalities whether that's a medical appointment or something personal. That autonomy definitely helps keep things balanced.
Support from colleagues is another huge part of it. Probation teams tend to be very close‑knit, and having people around you who understand the job makes a big difference. We share ideas, talk things through, and help each other manage the more demanding days. That sense of teamwork means you don't carry everything on your own, and it really contributes to maintaining a healthy mindset outside of work.
What three skills should all good probation officers possess?
Emotional resilience - you hear tough things regularly, so you must stay grounded in the here and now rather than dwelling on past events.
Patience - you deal with people who've been through incredibly difficult experiences.
The ability to talk to anyone - being personable makes all the difference.
What are your career ambitions?
I'm focused on continuing to grow in confidence and capability. This job has transformed me from someone who was once scared to make a phone call into someone who can handle complex, sensitive situations daily. I'm open‑minded about the future and where the role might take me.
Can you debunk a myth about working as a probation officer?
People assume you need to be a certain type of person to work in probation, but anyone can do this job if they care about people and are willing to listen.
What advice can you give to other aspiring probation officers?
Just go for it. You don't need to be a specific personality type. You'll learn as you go, gain confidence, and grow massively as a person. The worst that can happen is you try it and it's not for you. But the best that can happen is you make a real difference, even helping one person turn their life around is worth it.
