SHE needed a part-time job and applied to be an evening receptionist at a probation office.

Little did Joanne Hickey know that 18 years later she would be in charge of the Bolton probation office.

And now the mum and Guide leader has helped criminals, including burglars, shoplifters and drug suppliers, turn their back on their life of crime and even get to university.

“I felt very passionate about the work the probation service does and I have had a lot of opportunities come my way and I have made the most of them,” said the 42-year-old.

Mrs Hickey started out doing nine hours a week at the Wigan probation office after moving from Bolton to the neighbouring town with her husband and daughter.

She was soon offered a full-time position as a clerical officer in the court team.

This meant that she dealt with the aftermath of court cases and helped to write the pre-sentence reports which can help determine whether criminals are sent to prison or must carry out a community-based punishment.

And when a rare opportunity came along to work in the youth offending team part time, Mrs Hickey, still working with the court team, jumped at the chance.

Then in 2000 she decided to apply to become a probation officer. The day before she started the training, she discovered she was pregnant with her second child.

But despite that extra challenge, Mrs Hickey qualified alongside her peers in September 2002.

She continued to progress with her career, working in Wigan and Bolton, but recently she had a career break — quite literally.

The mother-of-two broke her ankle and had nine weeks off.

During that time she decided she would go back to Wigan but 12 weeks later a district manager opportunity came up in Bolton which is where she is now.

The former Rivington and Blackrod High School pupil said: “I feel very privileged to work for the probation trust. It is a great service to work for. I love my job.

“I am very keen that we work with the community and try to get offenders to access services.”

One of the key things in Bolton, says Mrs Hickey, is getting people into the correct services for them — and transforming them into “citizens”.

She is setting up a special team dedicated to working with young people to help with the transition for those in the criminal justice system going from a child to an adult overnight.

Mrs Hickey said: “It is really satisfying to work with other agencies to put things in place to help people.

“I have seen people who have gone on to university or who have turned their lives around by getting off drugs and alcohol.

“We help give stability to people and help them.”

People have different perceptions of probation, but Mrs Hickey’s believes they are protecting the public by working with offenders.

She said: “We assess what makes criminals continue offending and then we see what we can put together to reduce and improve those factors.

“We regularly evaluate the next steps. You can only help offenders become a citizen if they feel they can access things as a citizen.

“Certain factors make a difference, such as accommodation and employment.”

Sometimes people confide in their probation officers, because they are lonely and have no-one to tell.

Ms Hickey, who has a degree in criminal justice, said: “I once had someone whose dad had died and he had no-one and came to tell me.

“When you have no-one else in your life except your probation officer it says a lot about the impact we have on people.”

At home, she continues to do good for the community. She has two children, Alex aged 19, and Zac aged 12.

The Wigan Warriors fan has been a Guider for 10 years and has helped out with the Boys Brigade.

She said: “My daughter was a Brownie and they needed help so a small group of us helped out with extra activities.

“As she was going into Guides the Guider left and I took over the role.

“There is something about putting money where your mouth is.

“If you want to have activities like this you have to help make them happen.”