Interview Tips for Probation Services Offier
Hello!
I have just been informed that I have got an interview for Probation Services Officer.
I wonder has anyone done an interview for a similar role recently? What type of questions are asked etc?
Any other information that could be relevant is welcome.
Many thanks.
I have just been informed that I have got an interview for Probation Services Officer.
I wonder has anyone done an interview for a similar role recently? What type of questions are asked etc?
Any other information that could be relevant is welcome.
Many thanks.
Scroll to see replies
Hey
I know it has been some time since you posted this message - but I have an upcoming Probation Service Officer interview and was wondering how your interview went at the time and whether you have any tips?
I know it has been some time since you posted this message - but I have an upcoming Probation Service Officer interview and was wondering how your interview went at the time and whether you have any tips?
Original post by brian1985
Hello!
I have just been informed that I have got an interview for Probation Services Officer.
I wonder has anyone done an interview for a similar role recently? What type of questions are asked etc?
Any other information that could be relevant is welcome.
Many thanks.
I have just been informed that I have got an interview for Probation Services Officer.
I wonder has anyone done an interview for a similar role recently? What type of questions are asked etc?
Any other information that could be relevant is welcome.
Many thanks.
Hiya,
I have recently found out I also have an interview for a PSO Graduate Diploma with the Probation Service so would be very grateful for any sort of tips on questions or competencies that they are looking for.
Thanks
I have recently found out I also have an interview for a PSO Graduate Diploma with the Probation Service so would be very grateful for any sort of tips on questions or competencies that they are looking for.
Thanks
At interview you would do well to talk about risk assessment and management. The job is about protecting the public, safeguarding children and victims. Helping people to change is part of it but the purpose of this is to put offenders in the position to lead law abiding lives and reduce the risk of them causing serious harm to others.
Questions at interview typically focus on why you want the job, how you would manage aggressive or challenging individuals, how you would organise and prioritise your workload, how you would work with offenders and develop their sentence plan, how you would motivate offenders and how you would take into account diversity when working with offenders.
Questions at interview typically focus on why you want the job, how you would manage aggressive or challenging individuals, how you would organise and prioritise your workload, how you would work with offenders and develop their sentence plan, how you would motivate offenders and how you would take into account diversity when working with offenders.
Original post by LJP_blondie
Hiya,
I have recently found out I also have an interview for a PSO Graduate Diploma with the Probation Service so would be very grateful for any sort of tips on questions or competencies that they are looking for.
Thanks
I have recently found out I also have an interview for a PSO Graduate Diploma with the Probation Service so would be very grateful for any sort of tips on questions or competencies that they are looking for.
Thanks
PSO Graduate Diploma?? Oooo....looking into this as trying to get into Probation.
Good luck by the way :-)
Posted from TSR Mobile
Hi Everyone,
I am a Criminology Graduate and achieved a 2.1 honours degree. I am thoroughly interested in becoming a probation officer and would like to know if anyone knows when the London Probation Trust will be publishing vacancies for the next Graduate Diploma Scheme?
In addition I have recently enquired in obtaining various voluntary placements within three of my local boroughs and hope by obtaining a placement would enhance my prospects.
Kind Regards
I am a Criminology Graduate and achieved a 2.1 honours degree. I am thoroughly interested in becoming a probation officer and would like to know if anyone knows when the London Probation Trust will be publishing vacancies for the next Graduate Diploma Scheme?
In addition I have recently enquired in obtaining various voluntary placements within three of my local boroughs and hope by obtaining a placement would enhance my prospects.
Kind Regards
Original post by mitesh24
Hi Everyone,
I am a Criminology Graduate and achieved a 2.1 honours degree. I am thoroughly interested in becoming a probation officer and would like to know if anyone knows when the London Probation Trust will be publishing vacancies for the next Graduate Diploma Scheme?
In addition I have recently enquired in obtaining various voluntary placements within three of my local boroughs and hope by obtaining a placement would enhance my prospects.
Kind Regards
I am a Criminology Graduate and achieved a 2.1 honours degree. I am thoroughly interested in becoming a probation officer and would like to know if anyone knows when the London Probation Trust will be publishing vacancies for the next Graduate Diploma Scheme?
In addition I have recently enquired in obtaining various voluntary placements within three of my local boroughs and hope by obtaining a placement would enhance my prospects.
Kind Regards
Graduated in Criminology & Sociology, with a 2:1 2 & a 1/2 years ago! Tried to get into Probation but no luck whatsoever! Also tried to get voluntary work experience but priority was given to Social Work students!!!!! With the government cut backs, getting into the public sector is very difficult; tried for ages but given up, now doing something different!!
Keep trying but I wouldn't hold your breath with the Probation!!!
Good luck!
Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by mitesh24
Hi Everyone,
I am a Criminology Graduate and achieved a 2.1 honours degree. I am thoroughly interested in becoming a probation officer and would like to know if anyone knows when the London Probation Trust will be publishing vacancies for the next Graduate Diploma Scheme?
In addition I have recently enquired in obtaining various voluntary placements within three of my local boroughs and hope by obtaining a placement would enhance my prospects.
Kind Regards
I am a Criminology Graduate and achieved a 2.1 honours degree. I am thoroughly interested in becoming a probation officer and would like to know if anyone knows when the London Probation Trust will be publishing vacancies for the next Graduate Diploma Scheme?
In addition I have recently enquired in obtaining various voluntary placements within three of my local boroughs and hope by obtaining a placement would enhance my prospects.
Kind Regards
They've had a massive recruitment drive recently in May. In any normal cicrumstances I would say they'll be hiring in September again, but if you've done your research you'll know why Probation isn't in normal circumstances at the moment. London is the hardest trust to get into so if you apply be aware that the standard is incredibly high, and don't be disheartened if you don't get through first time around!
Original post by DancinBallerina
Graduated in Criminology & Sociology, with a 2:1 2 & a 1/2 years ago! Tried to get into Probation but no luck whatsoever! Also tried to get voluntary work experience but priority was given to Social Work students!!!!! With the government cut backs, getting into the public sector is very difficult; tried for ages but given up, now doing something different!!
Keep trying but I wouldn't hold your breath with the Probation!!!
Good luck!
Posted from TSR Mobile
Keep trying but I wouldn't hold your breath with the Probation!!!
Good luck!
Posted from TSR Mobile
Hi again DancinBallerina!
I have to say that at the moment i'd avoid Probation. They're undergoing some huge changes at the moment and job security is at an all-time low. For this reason, PSO posts are gold dust at the moment.
However getting into Probation is definitely do-able, if only by going in at a lower level and working your way up. I became a PSO after a matter of months of working at Probation! But unfortunately the future with Probation at present is so uncertain that I would advise people to wait until everything blows over!
Hi everyone,
Don't give up - persistence pays off!!
I have recently been accepted into London on the PSO Graduate Diploma route and start in September. It was hard work, applied to numerous trusts with the same application form and only ever heard back from London - didn't pass the assessment day first time round but second time I did and it all paid off.
I agree, there are a lot of changes in the pipeline with the Probation Service and it is all a bit uncertain at the minute. None of this has been approved yet as there are a lot of negatives and criticisms of Grayling's plans. I asked about positions such as PSO's in my i/v and their response was that it shouldn't change much as we will always need probation officers whether it is in the trusts or within private companies doing the job - so just keep following it all.
Get experience under your belt, I have been working as an appropriate adult at police stations as a second job and that helped me a lot! Working with challenging people, or people you assess and need to support is what they look for.
Any q's just ask but if you dont' try you will never get in, got to be in it to win it as they like to say!
Leanne :-)
Don't give up - persistence pays off!!
I have recently been accepted into London on the PSO Graduate Diploma route and start in September. It was hard work, applied to numerous trusts with the same application form and only ever heard back from London - didn't pass the assessment day first time round but second time I did and it all paid off.
I agree, there are a lot of changes in the pipeline with the Probation Service and it is all a bit uncertain at the minute. None of this has been approved yet as there are a lot of negatives and criticisms of Grayling's plans. I asked about positions such as PSO's in my i/v and their response was that it shouldn't change much as we will always need probation officers whether it is in the trusts or within private companies doing the job - so just keep following it all.
Get experience under your belt, I have been working as an appropriate adult at police stations as a second job and that helped me a lot! Working with challenging people, or people you assess and need to support is what they look for.
Any q's just ask but if you dont' try you will never get in, got to be in it to win it as they like to say!
Leanne :-)
Original post by LJP_blondie
Hi everyone,
Don't give up - persistence pays off!!
I have recently been accepted into London on the PSO Graduate Diploma route and start in September. It was hard work, applied to numerous trusts with the same application form and only ever heard back from London - didn't pass the assessment day first time round but second time I did and it all paid off.
I agree, there are a lot of changes in the pipeline with the Probation Service and it is all a bit uncertain at the minute. None of this has been approved yet as there are a lot of negatives and criticisms of Grayling's plans. I asked about positions such as PSO's in my i/v and their response was that it shouldn't change much as we will always need probation officers whether it is in the trusts or within private companies doing the job - so just keep following it all.
Get experience under your belt, I have been working as an appropriate adult at police stations as a second job and that helped me a lot! Working with challenging people, or people you assess and need to support is what they look for.
Any q's just ask but if you dont' try you will never get in, got to be in it to win it as they like to say!
Leanne :-)
Don't give up - persistence pays off!!
I have recently been accepted into London on the PSO Graduate Diploma route and start in September. It was hard work, applied to numerous trusts with the same application form and only ever heard back from London - didn't pass the assessment day first time round but second time I did and it all paid off.
I agree, there are a lot of changes in the pipeline with the Probation Service and it is all a bit uncertain at the minute. None of this has been approved yet as there are a lot of negatives and criticisms of Grayling's plans. I asked about positions such as PSO's in my i/v and their response was that it shouldn't change much as we will always need probation officers whether it is in the trusts or within private companies doing the job - so just keep following it all.
Get experience under your belt, I have been working as an appropriate adult at police stations as a second job and that helped me a lot! Working with challenging people, or people you assess and need to support is what they look for.
Any q's just ask but if you dont' try you will never get in, got to be in it to win it as they like to say!
Leanne :-)
I suppose what i'm trying to say is that posts simply aren't being advertised at the moment and so it's going to be very difficult to get one between now and privatisation. I'm a current PSO and we are already all being moved about to cover vacancies at different offices because trusts want to avoid taking on a load of new recruits in these times. So competition is at an all time high at the moment but keep persisting and make sure you know your stuff at interview; most candidates that get through to interview will have the relevant skills, what sets the great people from the good people is that they have done their research into probation and the CJS and tailor their interview to that. Experience of the CJS is of course a huge bonus.
Original post by music788
Hi again DancinBallerina!
I have to say that at the moment i'd avoid Probation. They're undergoing some huge changes at the moment and job security is at an all-time low. For this reason, PSO posts are gold dust at the moment.
However getting into Probation is definitely do-able, if only by going in at a lower level and working your way up. I became a PSO after a matter of months of working at Probation! But unfortunately the future with Probation at present is so uncertain that I would advise people to wait until everything blows over!
I have to say that at the moment i'd avoid Probation. They're undergoing some huge changes at the moment and job security is at an all-time low. For this reason, PSO posts are gold dust at the moment.
However getting into Probation is definitely do-able, if only by going in at a lower level and working your way up. I became a PSO after a matter of months of working at Probation! But unfortunately the future with Probation at present is so uncertain that I would advise people to wait until everything blows over!
I've waited long enough (2 and 1/2years - graduated Nov 2010) to try and get into any CJS agency! I'm nearing 30, and I'm now embarking on a career elsewhere (Business - HR). It's a shame as I enjoyed doing my degree, I have CJS work experience coming out my ears (Crown Court, Youth Court, Magistrates Court, Court Volunteer, and a day in Prison) - all experience I have gained in preparation for employment in the CJS but can't use!
How did you manage to get into Probation? Do you have a Criminology degree? . . Glad to hear you managed to get into the Probation service though, and all is going well for you.
Original post by DancinBallerina
I've waited long enough (2 and 1/2years - graduated Nov 2010) to try and get into any CJS agency! I'm nearing 30, and I'm now embarking on a career elsewhere (Business - HR). It's a shame as I enjoyed doing my degree, I have CJS work experience coming out my ears (Crown Court, Youth Court, Magistrates Court, Court Volunteer, and a day in Prison) - all experience I have gained in preparation for employment in the CJS but can't use!
Fair enough, I would have done the same and moved on in those circumstances too!
Original post by DancinBallerina
How did you manage to get into Probation? Do you have a Criminology degree? . . Glad to hear you managed to get into the Probation service though, and all is going well for you.
Nope my degree isn't related to Criminology. I took up a fairly low paid administrative role, and after just months they advertised for PSO's and I managed to get one! Being surrounded by PSO's/PO's in my admin role definitely helped me get inside knowledge etc for the interview. Thank you!
Original post by music788
Fair enough, I would have done the same and moved on in those circumstances too!
Nope my degree isn't related to Criminology. I took up a fairly low paid administrative role, and after just months they advertised for PSO's and I managed to get one! Being surrounded by PSO's/PO's in my admin role definitely helped me get inside knowledge etc for the interview. Thank you!
Nope my degree isn't related to Criminology. I took up a fairly low paid administrative role, and after just months they advertised for PSO's and I managed to get one! Being surrounded by PSO's/PO's in my admin role definitely helped me get inside knowledge etc for the interview. Thank you!
What's more annoying it's 10+years worth of experience! :/ Just feel like I could have gone elsewhere . . I chased my dream, but I can't chase anymore - time is ticking and I have other personal matters in my life that need priority, so no more faffing about!!!
Ahhh that's fair enough; inside knowledge/info is always a good start, and definitely sets you above and far ahead of the rest. Can you see yourself being in the Probation Service for a long period of time? . .
Original post by DancinBallerina
I've waited long enough (2 and 1/2years - graduated Nov 2010) to try and get into any CJS agency! I'm nearing 30, and I'm now embarking on a career elsewhere (Business - HR). It's a shame as I enjoyed doing my degree, I have CJS work experience coming out my ears (Crown Court, Youth Court, Magistrates Court, Court Volunteer, and a day in Prison) - all experience I have gained in preparation for employment in the CJS but can't use!
How did you manage to get into Probation? Do you have a Criminology degree? . . Glad to hear you managed to get into the Probation service though, and all is going well for you.
How did you manage to get into Probation? Do you have a Criminology degree? . . Glad to hear you managed to get into the Probation service though, and all is going well for you.
It is tough, I graduated 4 years ago with my criminology degree and had begun thinking about other job options as the competition for any CJS route was big. I think you have 5 years after you graduate to apply to probation so I just kept applying despite moving in a different direction as a 'just incase I got in' risk. I think it all depends on who reads the applications as I used the same one, which worked sometimes and other times didn't. Keep trying in the background of working as you never know
Your experience sounds interesting though!
and bet it was enjoyable. Was it directly related with any offenders as once I had working with more offenders or challening people (I currently work for a specialist fostering agency so challenging children) on my CV I got taken more seriously despite my academic knowledge etc..Who knows though, any job market is tough at the minute hopefully one day it won't be so bad! lol.
Original post by LJP_blondie
It is tough, I graduated 4 years ago with my criminology degree and had begun thinking about other job options as the competition for any CJS route was big. I think you have 5 years after you graduate to apply to probation so I just kept applying despite moving in a different direction as a 'just incase I got in' risk. I think it all depends on who reads the applications as I used the same one, which worked sometimes and other times didn't. Keep trying in the background of working as you never know
Your experience sounds interesting though! and bet it was enjoyable. Was it directly related with any offenders as once I had working with more offenders or challening people (I currently work for a specialist fostering agency so challenging children) on my CV I got taken more seriously despite my academic knowledge etc..
Who knows though, any job market is tough at the minute hopefully one day it won't be so bad! lol.
Your experience sounds interesting though!
and bet it was enjoyable. Was it directly related with any offenders as once I had working with more offenders or challening people (I currently work for a specialist fostering agency so challenging children) on my CV I got taken more seriously despite my academic knowledge etc..Who knows though, any job market is tough at the minute hopefully one day it won't be so bad! lol.
It is very tough, although I think it's starting to get a 'little' better; hearing more and more young people getting jobs now.
Ahh thank you
The roles varied; the Court Volunteer I worked with prisoner and their families, the Mag., Youth, and Crown I worked with the judges, obv. I couldn't do too much due to confidentiality, but got to see a bit of the daily workings. And then the prison was just a day spent looking around, seeing what they do and etc. So I like to think I have a bit of variety in what I did, just would be nice to put into practice what I did .Hi I have also found out that i have an interview for the graduate probation officer job. I was wondering if anyone knows what kind of questions they will ask in the interview. Also if anyone could give any pointers about the group or written assessment. I would be grateful with any help.
Thank you
Thank you
Original post by Job finder
Hi I have also found out that i have an interview for the graduate probation officer job. I was wondering if anyone knows what kind of questions they will ask in the interview. Also if anyone could give any pointers about the group or written assessment. I would be grateful with any help.
Thank you
Thank you
Me too, I think the interview will be the most important part.. well its the part im least looking forward to anyway lol
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