Qualifications improve your chances; they do not gate the job. Level 6 is the most recognised.
Typical pay: £28,000 to £45,000Level 6 most recognisedOpen entry
Pay range: National Careers Service.
Your route in
You can start without qualifications - direct entry/volunteering; a qualification improves your chances
1
Starting from scratch
Entry-level courses that feed this route.
2
Qualifications employers recognise (Level 6)
Any of these strengthens your application.
3
Where this can take you
After further training, you could specialise in working with certain groups, like high-risk prisoners or those who have committed sexual offences. With experience, you could become a senior probation officer. Further promotion usually means moving into management and away from direct work with offenders. You could also become an area manager.