“No day is ever the same”: Hampshire probation leader reflects on 14-year career helping keep communities safe
When Sophie Lennon joined the Probation Service at 22, she was looking for a career with purpose. Nearly 14 years later, she says “no day is ever the same”.
Now 35, Sophie is based at the Regional Operations Centre in Fareham, supporting probation teams with complex custody cases and public protection work. During her career she has progressed from an administrative role to leadership positions and specialist work supporting women in the justice system.
People across Hampshire can now apply to become trainee probation officers, earning a salary from day one while completing fully funded training equivalent to a degree-level qualification.
The Government is recruiting an additional 1,300 trainee probation officers across 2026/27, on top of the 2,300 already pledged to be brought in since 2024.
Trainees complete the Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP) over 15, 21 or 27 months, depending on existing qualifications.
Probation Officers supervise people on probation, manage risk and support rehabilitation. They work across the justice system to tackle the root causes of reoffending, including substance misuse, housing instability and unemployment.
The recruitment drive is aimed particularly at people with transferable skills from education, health, social care, the military and other public-facing roles.
New research for the Ministry of Justice found that only one in five adults (21%) correctly identified the Probation Service as mainly responsible for supervising offenders serving sentences in the community.
After reading about what the role involves, more than half of adults (55%) said they would be interested in finding out more about a career as a Probation Officer, including almost a quarter (24%) who were very interested.
People join the Probation Service from a wide range of professional backgrounds. Sophie Lennon joined the service after graduating with a criminology degree and initially working temporary administrative jobs while considering her career options.
One of Sophie's proudest achievements was helping create a women's centre in Portsmouth, giving vulnerable women access to support services outside of a traditional probation office environment.
Sophie said: “I started in probation at 22 and nearly 14 years later, no day is ever the same. I've never got bored.
“Our primary goal is public protection, but we also really care about helping the offender to better themselves and improve their lives. I love the idea that we can make a difference in someone's life, whether that's the offender or preventing more victims.
“Good communication and emotional intelligence are essential. You need to understand people, and know how to respond in difficult moments. You have to adapt the way you communicate because everybody's needs are different.
“I created a women's centre in Portsmouth so women didn't have to report to an office and could access support in one place. A lot of people don't realise the impact probation has, but every day we do make a difference.
“I'm nearly 36 now and probation has given me opportunities to progress, lead teams and make a real impact. Work has been really flexible around family life and maternity leave. I've got a really good work-life balance.
“I've got ADHD and dyslexia, but it's never stopped me progressing. People can still do everything they want to do when they're neurodiverse.”
Michelle McDermott, Associate Professor of Probation Education and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Portsmouth, said: "Probation Officers are a vital component of the criminal justice system, acting as the interface between the police, courts and prisons. They play a central role in assessing and managing risk, while supporting people to make lasting changes and move away from offending.
A fundamental asset of the Probation Service is its people, who bring sound judgement, strong communication skills and the ability to navigate complex situations. The varied pathways to becoming a probation officer enable the profession to be accessible to people from all backgrounds and levels of experience. We are proud to support the training of these professionals, helping to build a skilled and diverse workforce equipped to meet the needs of the communities it serves."
How to apply
Candidates must hold a minimum Level 3 qualification in any subject, including A levels, a diploma or a degree. Applications opened on 13 July 2026. Apply at: