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Some questions for Maurilia


Question: What do you do to unwind at the end of a long day? Answer: A work/life balance is important and I unwind by walking my dogs, cooking, spending time with family /friends, going to the cinema or a dance class/gym.


programme which we run in-house. This is aimed at men who have had difficulty coping with their violence. Individual work is also important and some time in my working week I will prepare sessions for clients on subjects such as alcohol and drug misuse, relationship difficulties and how they solve their problems. These sessions can last between 30 minutes to an hour.


Another important role is interviewing clients for a Social Enquiry Report requested by the Courts, to assist in sentencing. This involves interviewing the client at least twice to gather sufficient information about their lives and problems which have contributed to them getting into trouble. That might involve contacting victims and/or family members.


At the end of a busy day which can be 6-7.00 p.m., I reply to e-mails, type contact notes, return phone calls and check my diary to be prepared for the next day. Probation officers also cover youth Parish Hall Enquiries, so every few weeks, I also do this duty.


Working in the Probation Service can be emotionally draining but also incredibly rewarding. Clients may have endured difficult lives and are desperate to improve their situation. Unfortunately, a minority will continue to display challenging behaviours that can put others at risk. I need to be flexible and will always try to listen and help, and I’m not afraid of being clear and direct when necessary.


I’m pleased to say that most of my clients complete their Probation Orders successfully without getting into further trouble which is satisfying on both a personal level, and in helping people move their lives in the right direction. I believe my colleagues and I are making a useful professional contribution to the island.


Question: What do you like the most about being a Probation Officer? Answer: The variety of work, meeting different people and the good feeling that you are helping someone change their lives in a positive way. A Probation Order tries to get clients to understand the triggers to their offending, motivating them to set goals they want to meet, have them address their risk and get them to recognise their need to change.


Question: What do you dislike most about being a Probation Officer? Answer: I can honestly say there’s nothing I dislike. It's the kind of job that at the end of the week, as hectic and stressful as it can be, I'll have that sense of having actually achieved something and had an impact on someone, or made a meaningful contribution in some way.


Question: How did you become a Probation Officer? Answer: I saw the position advertised on the Jobs in Jersey website and spoke to our Chief Probation Officer, Brian Heath, to find out more about the role. Having been offered the role, and studied for my Social Work degree, the standard qualification for a Probation Officer in Jersey. I also had to complete a full year post qualification to become a Delegué of the Court under the provisions of the Probation Law (1937). I was sworn in at the Jersey Royal Court on 22 October 2015.


Question: What advice would you give someone, either just starting their career or midway through their career, who wants to be a Probation Officer?


Answer: It can be very demanding, with no day the same, but the rewards of making a difference in someone’s life and reducing re- offending makes it all worthwhile.


RESPONSIVE 20/20 A day in the life of... Page 103


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