![WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A...PROBATION OFFICER](https://cdn.magzter.com/1389340925/1713968788/articles/_pNmCPv0x1714031636241/WHAT-ITS-LIKE-TO-BE-APROBATION-OFFICER.jpg)
If you assumed that probation officers tend to be big, burly men, think again. In fact, around 75% of the probation service workforce in the UK are women. One of these is Sarah Port, who has spent nearly 20 years helping offenders with their rehabilitation, both during prison and in the community. Here, Sarah shares what the role involves.
How did you get into your career?
I found out about the probation service when studying Sociology for A-Level. Fascinated, I did a degree in Criminal Justice Studies at the University of Leeds, and applied to the Ministry of Justice's probation officer training course.
What did the training involve?
The two-year course involved academic study and vocational training. You work in the office and on placement, before you're allocated cases. The offences of individuals you work with increase in seriousness as you gain experience. In the beginning, it's likely to be crimes like driving offences or public order offences. You progress to complex cases, such as those who've been convicted of violent or sexual offences.
How has your career developed since you first qualified?
My first role in 2007 was in a sentence management team, with people sentenced to community orders or completing their sentences in the community. I went on to work in the training department, before becoming a senior probation officer and managing a team for 10 years. I've been in my current role for two years.
How do probation officers support offenders?
Denne historien er fra June 2024-utgaven av Woman & Home UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June 2024-utgaven av Woman & Home UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![Sporting SENSATIONS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1715411/PcJ_UoEO41717160769478/SPORTING-SENSATIONS.jpg)
Sporting SENSATIONS
Olympian Tessa Sanderson CBE reflects on winning gold and shines a spotlight on some of Team GB's outstanding women
![The ROYAL REPORT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1715411/LcaqHpwea1717160544018/THE-ROYAL-REPORT.jpg)
The ROYAL REPORT
One of the many privileges of working alongside the royal family is to see them up close and unvarnished.
![A DAY IN THE LIFE OF Dame Denise Lewis](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1715411/9JSRh2o0K1717160395398/A-DAY-IN-THE-LIFE-OF-DAME-DENISE-LEWIS.jpg)
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF Dame Denise Lewis
The Olympian and BBC pundit, 51, lives in Buckinghamshire with her husband Steve. She has four children.
![BRIGHT & breezy](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1715411/uhhlK0Kjc1717159937167/BRIGHT-BREEZY.jpg)
BRIGHT & breezy
Diana and Andy Irving set out to recreate American East Coast living at their Merseyside home, with spectacular results
![Why a slim body MIGHT NOT BE A HEALTHY ONE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1715411/vEB3iZiM01717159687300/WHY-A-SLIM-BODY-MIGHT-NOT-BE-A-HEALTHY-ONE.jpg)
Why a slim body MIGHT NOT BE A HEALTHY ONE
This month, our expert Annie Deadman reveals why eating well is essential, no matter what size your clothing labels say
![My mother's GIFTS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1715411/-X2qvso0D1717159292938/MY-MOTHERS-GIFTS.jpg)
My mother's GIFTS
When Genevieve Kingston's mother learnt she was dying, she found a poignant way to mark her children's milestones
![IT'S GOOD to talk](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1715411/FilOLaikW1717158931730/ITS-GOOD-TO-TALK.jpg)
IT'S GOOD to talk
The last six months have seen unprecedented candour from the Royal Family. Emily Andrews asks, is this the end for 'never complain, never explain'?
![Sultry southern CHARM](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1715411/Z20xRF-VU1717158443330/SULTRY-SOUTHERN-CHARM.jpg)
Sultry southern CHARM
Stretched along Italy's heel, Puglia offers a slice of the Italian good life, with peaceful hotels, indulgent meals and low-key glamour, says Lucy Thackray
![FRUITY PUDDINGS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1715411/_KycVRV4L1717157706387/FRUITY-PUDDINGS.jpg)
FRUITY PUDDINGS
Easy crowd-pleasing desserts that can be made ahead of time
![Are weddings OUT OF CONTROL?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1715411/ADl0nj4QO1717154606137/ARE-WEDDINGS-OUT-OF-CONTROL.jpg)
Are weddings OUT OF CONTROL?
You can’t put a price on love, but marriages these days can be eye-wateringly costly, as Christabel Smith discovers