Aspiring Probation Officer

Location: Wandsworth

Start Date: ASAP or September 2025

Contract: Full-time, Term-time only (39 weeks)

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8.30am-4pm

Pay: £89-£105 per day (PAYE)

Are you passionate about supporting vulnerable young people affected by trauma and exclusion? Do you believe in the power of education and restorative approaches to change lives?

A well-respected specialist school in Wandsworth is seeking a dedicated Aspiring Probation Officer to support children aged 11-16 with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, and associated challenging behaviours. This is a small, nurturing specialist setting that supports children and young people who have been excluded from mainstream education or are at risk of exclusion.

The students often face significant SEMH needs, behavioural challenges, and many have experienced trauma or adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). This school has a deep focus on addressing the educational, social, and therapeutic needs of students, aiming to foster individual happiness and well-being where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. They provide a highly supportive, structured environment focused on emotional regulation, re-engagement with learning, and helping pupils develop the skills they need to succeed both in and out of school.

A common feature for many children and young people with SEN / SEMH needs is marginalisation and disadvantage, trauma, dysfunctional family relationships, low educational attainment, and stigmatisation. Some will also have faced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) that impact their learning, behaviour, and overall well-being. Subsequently, they face many barriers in life and are more 'at risk' of negative outcomes.

You will be instrumental in providing consistency, and equipping children and young people with tools to ensure they feel safe, secure, empowered, and believe that they can succeed in life. This role offers invaluable restorative experience within an antisocial and challenging setting, the perfect opportunity if you are thinking of a career in prison, rehabilitation, probation, or youth justice services.

Based on holistic and therapeutic practice, this Aspiring Probation Officer role is an amazing opportunity for Criminology and Psychology Graduates. The role will give you hands-on experience working with vulnerable children, and through building strong, robust relationships, you will increase the engagement, attainment, and life chances of children, aiming to ensure they do not enter the criminal justice system.

You will be working alongside teachers and specialist staff to support students with SEMH challenges and traumas. Some children / young people will have suffered ACEs, and you will identify their risks and needs, escalating where necessary. Many of the children face various barriers in life and are more 'at risk' of negative outcomes. Your consistency and support will empower these young people to feel safe, secure, and capable of success.

Person Specification:

• You must be dedicated to being a consistent role model, and committed to building strong relationships
• Passionate about supporting vulnerable children and young people to overcome barriers and reach their potential
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust quickly
• Able to establish firm, respectful, and supportive boundaries
• Calm, patient, and resilient-especially in high-pressure or emotionally charged situations
• Confident using de-escalation strategies and responding to challenging behaviour
• Trauma-informed, with high levels of empathy, compassion, and emotional intelligence
• Consistent, reliable, and committed to being a positive, stabilising presence
• Motivated, enthusiastic, and professional, with a genuine commitment to inclusion and safeguarding

If you're ready to kick-start a rewarding career in social care, mental health, or education and make a positive impact on young lives, apply now or contact Eleanor Chessun-Lawrence at TimePlan.