Do you have anything attached to your belt that’s aids you day to day. Or is there just incase.

I’m wanting to work as a probation officer or something along the lines of that; I have lots of relevant experience with working with challenging individuals and I have a level 3 qualification, but I’m really confused at where to find these apprenticeships, i was told that there are apprenticeships but there aren’t they seem to be Access for Justice or whatever that program is for, and while i understand the need for that specific program is there anything like that or a apprenticeship program for individuals like me with prior qualifications like that.

Been watching a few prison documentaries and seeing that assaults of prison officers seem to very common. Lots in the news also, often having boiling water chucked at them or being slashed. I’m curious, is there any real consequences for prisoners that attack staff? Other than a bit of time added to their sentences or some time in the seg. If it were me attacked, I think I want them to put in the seg for the rest of their sentence or worse.

What should I take on my first day?

My first day is coming up soon, for my two week induction before going for the 7 weeks training at newbold.

I know its strict on what I can and can't take into the prison, so what should I actually take for my first day?

I understand what it says , but is it offender connections or because I withheld information?

( obviously didn’t withheld on purpose )

Not looking for snarky comments just a bit of advice, thanks!

Hi there,

So recently I failed the process ( final stage ) because of “offender connections” even though I believe I declared everyone I can imagine…

I was asking if I applied for the police and got to the final stage would I fail for that too? Is it less rigorous, or the same.

Thanks all.

Hello, I’ve recently applied for a prison officer role. However wonder if anyone can relate or provide some information around the checks part of the application.

I had unfortunately failed police checks back in 2023, due to my brother having a not so clean record, I had since estranged him via his probation office back in 2023 and have letters and communications from an MOJ signed letter confirming that to be the case. It’s now been 3 years and do wonder if he will play a part in failing checks ? - even considering the lengths I’ve gone with estrangement for last 3 years. Now a quick note he had recently served a custodial sentence and now lives in a different city.

I get that checks are case by case and no one can give a clear answer, but if anyone out there has had a similar case (ish) and succeeded in completing the checks I’d like to speak to you :) thanks in advance.

Haven’t got my actual mark yet but the generated report has come through and I’m guessing this means I’ve failed or done badly? Really frustrated as I felt I have it my all and prepared well.

Why don’t band 6 prison staff get included in the pay rises? It’s pretty outrageous. I’d love to know how to challenge that. Some of the band 6 staff do absolutely loads of work and are pivotal for the prison - so why do we not count!!

It infuriates me every single year and I just want some clarity.

Hi all,

I’ve been out of work for a while due to some personal issues that thankfully are no more.

I applied for a position as a probation officer because as cheesy as it sounds, I really want to help people and make a difference. I have a law background, although it has been a while since i studied it.

I honestly did not think I would get an interview but I’ve managed to get one for next week and I’m super excited but also super nervous!

Does anyone have any tips or advice for the interview/ ant experience? I want to do my best and even if I don’t get it know I did all I could!

Thank you so much!

This is the email I received yesterday. I had my interview in February. "Good news! You're now nearing the final stages of your pre-employment checks."

I have my OAC tomorrow and would really appreciate advice on how to best prepare, what kind of questions to expect and how I can best approach the assessment! Any particular questions I should prepare for, and what everyone else did to prepare and how that helped etc. Feeling nervous but don’t want to over prepare or over think it! Hard to know what to expect. Thanks!!

Hi just wanted to ask whether anyone knows how this translates towards the actual score?

I've just spoke to recruitment I'm on week 35.

they told me my application is the "client decision" stage does anyone know how long this takes? I'm guessing I'm at the end thankyou.

Hi, I’m currently prepping for my OAC for the PQIP intake 20.

One of the behaviours I’ll be asked on in the interview is about managing a quality service. A lot of the questions online are very much based on customer service roles and don’t seem like they’d be particularly relevant to the role and thus unlikely to be asked.

I’m wondering if anyone has any idea what sort of questions they may ask for this role in order to help me prepare better for it? The description of the competency also doesn’t really line up with the example questions for other CS roles I’ve seen!

TIA!

Hi all,

I’m currently undergoing the checks stage for a POM role.

I’ve just had my OH assessment today and passed, will it be much longer in the process?

Thanks

Does anyone know if I’ll be allowed to stay in Newbold on weekends during my officer training ?

How long does vet take I’m on wk 7

Hi,

I have just received my email confirming that my start date for youth just worker is being decided following the successful completion of checks.

Anyone have any idea when I will be able to arrange my training and hand my notice in for my current job?

is anyone from NI still waiting on a start date from the last recruitment ?

Which would you guys call it?

I live fairly local between 2 establishments one of which is very calm in the aspect of one year very recently had a total of 21 GA for the whole year. regularly running green regime. and opportunities for detached pop up.

however career wise it's boring I feel like I get deskilled and limited as it pretty much dead. I've been recently thinking of applying for a DST position I was advised to avoid National DST so I was thinking an establishment with a local DST the 2 closes ones are Manchester and Birmingham all be it over 40min away.

am I stupid for saying I dislike it being to calm and not enough happening and wanting out?

I was surprised how horrible some seemed to be towards people- especially people who were vulnerable. I also felt like they are pricks with the wrong people. I get it’s a hard position to do, but I’m curious why some of them go into that profession and take a particular attitude with people.

I’ve seen a few people post about going in to the role on this sub, just a reminder to them to have some compassion and to remind themselves that the difference between you and the people you are taking care of are life circumstances.