Any probation officers out there...?

[Luckything50]

... who wouldn't mind giving me some advice. No aibu, sorry, just want to know if you enjoy your job, is it really stressful, is it flexible, and is the training interesting?

I'm a Probation officer. Have name changed so as not to link any previous threads.

Sometimes it's enjoyable; usually it's not, but is definately varied, interesting and challenging. I can honestly say that I might not enjoy the actual task I'm doing but I am never bored and the time flies.

It is extremely time pressured and frustrating and getting worse in this way regularly as more and more is asked of us while our caseload increases so it results in less and less time actually spent with offenders and lots of time typing about them instead.

When Chris Grayling was in charge he brought about significant changes which have caused untold headaches, massive staff losses (leaving in despair and disillusion) and has severely undermined staff morale. The changes have had a noticeable impact on what made probation work. I truly believe public protection is far less effective because of the changes.

The positives of the job still outweigh the negatives but things are not easy by any stretch. Equally other officers would disagree and many have left or are actively looking to leave.

Hope this helps.

Oh and the training was interesting when I did it (working full time whilst completing a full time 4 yr degree via distance study and a level 4 NVQ all compacted over 2 yrs). Now i understand it to be on the job training where you complete NVQs starting as a PSO who does a level 3 NVQ and then progressing to level 5 which permits you PO qualification.

The training is still a degree but you can use credits from a previous degree if you have the relevant modules, the degree is completed while you work as a lower rank officer. There are also many other roles within the service including unpaid work delivery, accredited programmes (CBT and psychotherapy based programmes around specific offending types) working with victims of DV, working with victims of high level sexual and violent offences, MARAC and MAPPA roles, roles around education, training, enjoyment and housing support, admin roles, court officer roles, working as an offender manager inside a prison (this is not a prison officer) and routes to management progression, inspectorate roles and so on. Then there's youth offending which is a whole other multi agency ball game. It is hard work, it is stressful, you see the worst things society has to offer. It is a high level of responsibility and risk management. It can also be incredibly rewarding, stimulating, challenging, interesting and certainly isn't dull and there are plenty of sideways and upward options if you're someone who gets itchy feet. Oh and the public won't really have a clue what you actually do..

Thanks for your responses - pretty much what I expected - not sure I want the stress though. Also the recruitment process is supposed to be a bitch.