When considering a career in Probation, most people will automatically think of Probation Officers and they, along with Probation Service Officers, make up a significant portion of our workforce, but there are many other roles which make a vital contribution to our work.

 

Many staff are involved in administration, others work in human resources, in the courts, in prisons, approved premises (hostels), information technology, research and training.

 

Our employees have come from very different careers and backgrounds and bring a  wide range of skills to the Hampshire Probation Trust.

 

In Hampshire we run a comprehensive set of training programmes for all staff and also employ Trainee Probation Officers who work towards their two-year diploma in probation studies, gaining a Community Justice degree and Community Justice National Vocational Qualification.

 

Hear what some of our staff have to say about working for Hampshire Probation:

 

 

Name: Monica Howson

 

Job Role: Payroll Manager / HR Systems Manager

 

Monica has worked for Hampshire Probation Trust for 6 years, it is her job to organise the payment of salaries and expenses for over 700 staff each month.

 

"I can honestly say that no one day is ever the same, there is always something going on". When asked what she thinks makes Hampshire Probation a good employer she responded "The Staff!!"

 

 

Name: Jeff Harris

 

Job Role: Unpaid Work Placement Manager

 

Jeff has worked for Hampshire Probation Trust for 8 years, the first two as a Supervisor and the last 6 as a Placement Manager. Part of his role is to find suitable and worthwhile projects for offenders to work at, this can be painting and decorating of schools, community centre, churches or groundwork tasks which could entail clearing large overgrown sites which have become areas where anti social behaviour is taking place.

"I find the job very rewarding and get great satisfaction when the agencies are pleased with the offenders efforts. Recently we have carried out work for the local Deaf society (painting and decorating their hall) and the Horizon resource centre for the severely disabled (clearing the large grounds and transforming it into a sensory garden). Both the outcomes were excellent with both agencies were delighted with the brilliant work the offenders contributed.”

 

Name: Julia Okami

 

Job Role: Human Resources Assistant

Julia studied a BA (Hons) in Social Anthropology at university and gained 2 years office experience before starting at Hampshire Probation. She works at Hampshire Probation HQ, in the HR Unit. Her main responsibilities include ensuring the accurate maintenance of personnel systems, creating contracts and contract variations, answering general queries, and assisting with recruitment.

“Coming from the private sector, what really struck me about the probation service was how they care for their employees in terms of sickness and maternity pay, holiday entitlement, flexi-time, and also the fairness of the pay banding system across the board. I am also about to start a post graduate course in Personnel & Development (CiPD) which will allow me to progress in HR once qualified. This is testimony to the fact HPA encourage development of their staff.”

 

Name: Becky Bone

Job Role: Probation Officer

Becky has worked for Hampshire Probation Trust for four years in the roles of Case Administrator and Trainee Probation Officer. Becky recently qualified as a Probation Officer after 2 years of intensive training in areas such as Psychology, Sociology and Criminology and the links between academic research and Professional Practice that works to address offending behaviour. Becky manages and supervises offenders who have committed offences such as Domestic Abuse, Hate Crime, Theft, Violence, Drug Offences and Driving Offences .

“The reasoning behind my decision to work for the Probation Service was to 'change' individuals behaviour and therefore reduce further victims of crime.  It soon became apparent that only they could change their behaviour, yet Hampshire Probation Trust have provided me with the best skills available to help illicit this change.  I feel a real sense of achievement when working with an offender who turns their back on their offending behaviour and reintegrates back into society.  I wouldn't change my job for the world.”

 

Name: Carianne Coomber

Job Role: Programmes Officer

Carianne has worked for Hampshire Probation Trust for 7 years in the role of General Offending Programmes Officer. Carianne delivers groupwork sessions to groups of offenders who have committed offences such as drink driving, affray, burglary, theft etc.  She is also responsible for managing these cases before they begin their programmes, ensuring they are prepared and motivated to complete this condition of their order.

"Working for the Probation Service is both challenging and rewarding.  No two days are ever the same as no two cases are ever the same.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the role I perform within the Service and still feel rewarded being part of a team who are working towards rehabilitation and making the area a safer place for us all."