Your new role as a Probation Officer in the Department of Corrections is a complex and multi-skilled one. The Department of Corrections recognises the need to provide appropriate learning and development for its new Probation Officers.

Probation Officer Curriculum

All newly appointed probation officers complete a 26 week learning and development programme - The Probation Officer Curriculum.

The curriculum is a blended learning programme which comprises of a series of workplace based learning and development interspersed with five classroom based courses (These are week long residential courses, although one of the courses is two weeks in duration, and may require Probation Officers to travel from their home location).

The content of the curriculum provides the foundation learning Probation Officers need, to perform effectively in the role.

Key areas of skills development include Offender management, Report Writing, Enforcement, Offender Planning, and Offender Induction. Professionalism is an increasing emphasis and includes development of strong decision making, risk management and team collaboration skills.

These skills are integral parts of working effectively with offenders to:

• ensure offenders comply with requirements of their sentences
• reduce the likelihood of offenders reoffending
• minimise the risk of harm offenders present to others.

Ongoing Support

Following completion of the curriculum probation officers will continue to develop skills through continued workplace based/course learning and development programmes dependant on need. You’ll have support throughout the curriculum from your Service Manager and Senior Probation Officer.

Previous Next Show Contents