Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Baroness Stern (Crossbench). It was answered by Lord Bach (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 July 2009.

Probation Service Officers

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the entry qualifications and initial training requirements for a probation service officer; and how they differ from those required for a probation officer.

Answer: My Lords, no minimum entry qualifications are required for probation service officers or trainee probation officers. The 42 separate probation areas recruit probation service officers locally to nationally agreed role profiles and competencies. Probation service officer training is delivered locally, in line with a nationally agreed core framework. Trainee probation officer entry requirements are based on a nationally agreed competency-based application and assessment centre process. The training lasts two years, resulting in an honours degree in community justice and a diploma in probation studies.

Secondary information