Recognising the Quiet Strength of the Probation Service

This evening I had the great privilege of hosting the High Sheriff’s Probation Awards at County Hall in Oxford.

It was an opportunity to recognise the dedication, professionalism and compassion of the many people who work within the Probation Service across Oxfordshire - people whose work is often unseen, but whose impact is felt every day in our communities.

Probation sits at the heart of our justice system. It is about public protection, rehabilitation and hope - supporting people to change their lives while ensuring that communities remain safe.

The stories we heard this evening were powerful reminders of the extraordinary commitment that probation professionals bring to their work.

We heard about colleagues who support victims of serious crime with empathy and determination.
About practitioners who work patiently with individuals to help them turn their lives around.
About leaders who guide teams through the most challenging circumstances with calm and compassion.

Many of these roles are demanding, emotionally complex and sometimes carried out in difficult conditions. Yet what shone through every citation was a deep sense of care, professionalism and quiet determination.

The Probation Service rarely seeks the spotlight. Much of its most important work takes place quietly, day by day, behind the scenes.

That is precisely why evenings like this matter.

They allow us to pause and recognise the extraordinary people who dedicate their working lives to protecting others, supporting change and strengthening the safety of our communities.

I was also delighted that Tom Browning, Regional Probation Director for the South Central region, joined us and spoke to colleagues about the importance of their work and the impact it continues to have across the region.

My thanks go to everyone who made the evening possible, including the team at Oxfordshire County Council, the probation leadership team, and the many colleagues who contributed nominations.

Finally, my thanks to the Shrieval team who support this work throughout the year - our High Sheriff’s Cadets Sofia, Emily, Isabella and Jacob, their leaders and parents, Shaun Kendall who coordinates the cadets, Anne Gow my Chaplain, and Mark, my husband and Chamberlain, who quietly ensures that everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.

Above all, congratulations to all of this evening’s award recipients.

Your work represents public service at its very best, and Oxfordshire is fortunate to have you.