KENT PROBATION © 2010

KENT PROBATION

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ROLES IN KENT PROBATION

Senior Probation OfficerEach offender management unit will be managed by a Senior Probation Officer. SPO's manage their team of Probation Officers and Probation Service Officers to ensure that offenders are dealt with accordingly and that community orders are enforced. They may also take on a more direct role offering their experience and support with more challenging cases.

Probation OfficerProbation officers work to rehabilitate offenders by enforcing the conditions of court orders and release licences, conducting offender risk assessments in order to protect the public, and ensuring offenders' awareness of the impact of their crime on their victims and the public.All Probation Officers are trained to work with offenders with all levels of risk, including those of the highest risk who are co-managed through Multi Agency working. They make assessments to advise courts, manage and enforce community orders, and work with prisoners during and after sentencing.Probation officers interact with offenders, victims, police and prison colleagues on a regular basis. They also work closely with local authorities, social services, housing departments and a range of independent and voluntary sector partners.

Case AdministratorCase Administrator is a varied role supporting Probation Officers and Probation Service Officers by providing a range of administrative services to help with the supervision of offenders. This may include monitoring and ensuring all enforcement procedures are maintained and carried out to meet National Standards. Case Administrators also take responsibility for our archiving service and for researching, preparing and presenting information from a variety of sources.

Community Payback SupervisorThe aim of compulsory unpaid work is that offenders have the opportunity to ‘pay back’ their communities by working on projects that will benefit local people. Supervisors manage this work and encourage offenders to learn new practical skills that they can use to find a job or in their everyday lives.Supervisors can either work sessionally (part-time) or full-time. The normal working week for a full-timesupervisor is 37 hours. Evening and/or weekend work may be required.

Probation Service OfficerProbation service officers (PSOs) play a vital role in supporting offenders who are serving custodial and community sentences. They also oversee and co-ordinate rehabilitation programmes for offenders. Unlike probation officers, PSOs generally only supervise low to medium risk offenders. Their duties are to protect the public, promote community safety and prevent crime. PSOs work a flexible week, usually Monday to Friday. Weekend and evening cover may be required in some teams. PSOs may also work in a variety of specialist custodial and community units, including prisons and hostels. Some regional travel may be required.