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https://prisonjobs.blog.gov.uk/2022/03/21/i-love-working-as-a-community-payback-supervisor/

“I love working as a Community Payback supervisor.”

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Personal stories, Probation, Ways of working

Community Payback (CP), previously known as Community Service, is an alternative to a prison sentence for people who have committed a crime. CP supervisors play a key part in supporting people on probation to do unpaid work to improve local communities and get their lives back on track. It’s varied, meaningful work with job security, a great pension and employee benefits. If you're a people person and looking for a rewarding career, find out more and take a look at our latest vacancies.

Lisa, who’s been a Community Payback supervisor for 3 years, tells us what the job’s like and why she loves it.

 “I like a challenge and my job as a taxi driver wasn’t challenging enough. When I read the CP supervisor ad, I thought the work sounded interesting. I was used to dealing with people from all walks of life – including some exhibiting difficult behaviours – so I thought my experiences would give me a bit of a head start.”

“The thought of driving groups of people on probation to and from CP project sites and spending up to 7 hours a day supervising their unpaid work, didn’t faze me. But, at interview, I did ask what was in place to ensure my safety if anything should go wrong. And I was reassured that I’d get a GPS enabled device to call for help if needed.”

People skills are key

“In this job, you need to be able to read people – to assess situations and make quick decisions before they potentially escalate. We work with people who’ve committed offences, so know they’ve done bad things. But they’re not necessarily bad people. Many have troubled backgrounds, mental health issues, or struggle to express themselves and get easily frustrated. So, sometimes their conversations can get a bit ‘heated’. But, as supervisors, we get training to help us deal with a range of challenging behaviours. And 9 times out of 10, you can calm people down simply by taking them to one side and talking to them.”

“You need to be a people person, and how you get on as a CP supervisor has got a lot to do with how you come across to others. It’s important you don’t judge people. I treat everyone as a blank canvas, get to know them and gain their trust.”

“Respect works both ways. While they haven’t chosen to do Community Payback – and often resent being asked to do unpaid work – if people have done a good job, I think they deserve to hear it.”

A rewarding job

“Yes, CP is a punishment, but it’s also got a really powerful rehabilitation element. And it’s great to see individuals get something out of it. Often, people on my groups have never done a particular task or even worked before, and I love to see them learn new skills and grow in confidence. It could be as simple as learning how to use a hedge trimmer or wood working skills. It’s massively rewarding when people tell me how they’ve used what I’ve taught them in their private lives or gone on to find paid work as a result.”

“My job is so rewarding. I’ve finally found something I absolutely love doing. It’s so much more than just a job for me. I care about the people in my CP groups. I love to see the positive changes they’re making in their attitudes and behaviours. And I’m passionate about the impact CP can have on people turning their lives around, and the communities we work in.”

Find out more and apply today

If you’ve been inspired by Lisa’s story, visit our website to find out more about working as a Community Payback supervisor. Watch our videos to hear from more of our staff what the work is like, and apply today.

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39 comments

  1. Comment by Lucy Worthington posted on

    Would be something I’d really enjoy doing how do I apply ? X

  2. Comment by Sally clark posted on

    Worked within a prison for 3 years , would like to do something like this how do I apply please

  3. Comment by Angie Golden posted on

    Hi I’m interested, is there an age limit?

    • Replies to Angie Golden>

      Comment by lmorgan posted on

      Hi Angie. Thanks for your interest in applying to become a Community Payback supervisor. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society we work in. There is no upper age limit for applicants for this role.

  4. Comment by Rebecca posted on

    I’d love to know more about the his kind of job. I’m hoping to do a councelling course soon as well. How can I find out more information on this

  5. Comment by Peter Shaw posted on

    I am currently working as a security guard this is something that I have been thinking of doing for a long time but as I have a criminal record but have not been in any trouble for over 25 years I do not know if I will be eligible to apply

    • Replies to Peter Shaw>

      Comment by lmorgan posted on

      Hi Peter. Thank you for your interest in applying to be a Community Payback supervisor. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society we work in. We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds, including those with lived experience. Due to the nature of the work, all successful candidates will need to complete pre-employment background checks, including criminal history checks. You can find out more about the work here: https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/role/community-payback/, and here's a directly link to all our CP supervisor vacancies:https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/?s=Community%20Payback%20supervisor

  6. Comment by Dawn Smith posted on

    I’m a true believer of everyone is capable of making mistakes some worse than others yes but bad choices don’t make bad people.

  7. Comment by Sarah Smith posted on

    Hi this position is something I would be interested in doing.
    I have worked in adult mental health in an inpatient setting and also community.
    Would like more information please.

  8. Comment by Tracey posted on

    Sounds interesting, similar to the job I do now

  9. Comment by Graeme Bourne posted on

    Im moving to the Chesterfield area ,are there any vacancys in that area ?

  10. Comment by Thomasina Bale posted on

    I’m interested in this kind of work

  11. Comment by Thomasina Bale posted on

    I’m interested in this kind of work I’ve worked with people all my life nhs

  12. Comment by Lynne Murphy posted on

    Hi i have been looking for something like this for a long time, i am from liverpool, but now live in wetherby(leeds) not got any qualifications in this area but plenty of LIFE experience would be really interested to talk with someone about this role. Thanks in advance lynne

  13. Comment by Denise Guiden posted on

    Hi I would like to find out how I apply for the role please.

  14. Comment by Aaron Watts posted on

    Can you apply with a past criminal record

    • Replies to Aaron Watts>

      Comment by lmorgan posted on

      Hi Aaron. Thank you for your interest in applying to be a Community Payback supervisor. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society we work in. We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds, including those with lived experience. Due to the nature of the work, all successful candidates will need to complete pre-employment background checks, including criminal history checks. You can find out more about the work here: https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/role/community-payback/, and here's a directly link to all our CP supervisor vacancies:https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/?s=Community%20Payback%20supervisor.

  15. Comment by Jane jenner posted on

    Can I have more information about it please as I'm interested

  16. Comment by Bill Johnson posted on

    Hi there I’m semi retired but I have worked as Police Admin clerk at a busy Police Station in London in the 1980s and also within a busy Mental Health Trust in Devon.
    I would be interested in offering my experience to the role

  17. Comment by Shahid Malik posted on

    I would love to do this job

  18. Comment by Connor Angela posted on

    How do I apply for this job.