Lyn Falconer - Second Year Trainee Probation Officer
Before I became a TPO I had done all sorts of jobs. I had completed a degree in psychology but not really used it. I had worked in McDonalds, been a nanny and my last job was selling mobile phones over the telephone. I am a people person; I heard about the Probation Service through a careers advisor. I told the advisor that I wanted a job that would give me a sense of purpose.
On selection
The selection process was the hardest thing I have ever done. The core tasks were the written exam, group interaction, formal interview, and the presentation that involved explaining the steps I would take to solve a certain problem. The exam was not so much about what you know but how you analyse information. Each candidate is given fact sheets and you have to read them and pick up the important points. The exam is looking at how you select key facts to back up your points of view.
The best advice I could offer any applicant is to keep calm and be yourself. That's so important in the interview. The group session is about making a contribution, and showing that you can listen to the views of others - an important element in Probation work. My week is divided into two segments - three days are designated for practice and the remaining two for academic work. I'm about to start working with offenders with substance misuse. I think this will be really interesting.
On working with offenders
Every person I work with has been different. I had such high expectations of my first case, and I was 'gutted' when things went wrong. I have learned that offenders have to take responsibility for their own actions. As Probation Officers we can assist them and facilitate that change, but they have to want to change in the first place.
It's important to strike a balance in your life or otherwise you cannot do your job properly. I've had a few sleepless nights but, with experience, I have learnt to come home and concentrate on my life.
