Summary
You will provide a visible and reassuring presence, acting as the eyes and ears of both the public and Northumbria Police. You will be part of a Neighbourhood Policing Team, engaging with local communities and partners to build positive relationships, identify community issues, and implement solutions to keep communities safe.
Wage
£25,098 a year
Salary: £25,098, rising to £27,531 basic annually (Plus you will be entitled a shift and weekend allowance, making potential earnings £31,748 - £34,826).
Training course
Police community support officer (level 4)
Hours
As we’re a 24/7 service, you’ll need to be flexible to work shifts - days, evenings and weekends.
37 hours a week
Start date
Monday 2 February 2026
Duration
1 year 3 months
Positions available
27
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
* Handling incidents within your area and conducting initial investigations.
* Ensuring scene preservation when necessary.
* Providing quality service to victims and witnesses of crime and anti-social behaviour.
* Identifying vulnerable individuals and ensuring their safety.
* Participating in briefings, operations, and other policing activities.
* Attending court as needed and exercising designated powers set by the Chief Constable.
Where you'll work
This apprenticeship is available in these locations:
* Police Station, Prudhoe Street, Alnwick, NE66 1UJ
* Ashington Police Station, Lintonville Terrace, Ashington, NE63 9JX
* Police Station, 38 Church Street, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, TD15 1DZ
* Police Station, High West Street, Gateshead, NE8 1BN
* Police Station, Shaftoe Leazes, Hexham, NE46 3DG
* Ponteland, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE20 0BL
* Police Station, Millbank, Station Road, South Shields, NE33 1RR
* Southwick Police Station, Church Bank, Sunderland, SR5 2DU
* Newcastle City Centre Police Station, Forth Banks, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 3PH
* Middle Engine Lane, Wallsend, NE28 9NT
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
THE CHIEF CONSTABLE OF NORTHUMBRIA
Your training course
Police community support officer (level 4)
What you'll learn
Course contents
* Foster, promote and maintain channels of communication and develop close working relationships with key groups, multi-agency partners and individuals across the community
* Communicate effectively, in accordance with the varied needs of differing situations, individuals, groups and communities, including those who may be victims, witnesses and vulnerable people, supporting diversity and inclusivity through their communications
* Provide initial support to vulnerable people and assess their needs for further support, including providing advice on accessing that support
* Gather, handle and submit information and intelligence from a variety of sources to support law enforcement and to maximise policing effectiveness
* Work under the direction of their line managers and community-based Police Constables, contribute to developing, planning and implementing preventative and problem-solving policing approaches to local concerns and issues, including providing assistance to review, analyse and share the results of evidence-based initiatives
* Work alongside partner organisations or as part of a multi-disciplinary team to improve, mitigate and solve community problems, issues or concerns
* Provide an initial response to incidents (where necessary) in-line with legal and organisational requirements and the limits of their responsibilities, including appropriate planning (e.g. strategies for managing traffic flow), for responses based on analysis of all relevant information at hand
* Provide support for victims and witnesses at policing incidents, including advice to identify and access sources of additional support (or accessing sources on behalf of individuals) and post-incident help, and where appropriate, delivering any necessary follow-up assistance
* Apply appropriate conflict management tactics e.g. appropriate communication (not hands on physical techniques) where absolutely necessary and in-line with the powers bestowed on them, issued equipment (where applicable), the training they have received and organisational policy and procedure
Your training plan
The 12–15-month training programme combines practical and theory-based learning. Your training will start with two classroom phases, lasting around 3 months, based at Ponteland alongside other PCSO's on your course.
From the essentials like safety training and first aid to decision making and communication skills, your study will encompass all the skills and knowledge you need ready for the next step in your training. Some of your study will be delivered as tutorials, role-plays, self-study or e-learning.
As part of the second phase of your training, you’ll start work in frontline policing. You’ll be based at a police station alongside your experienced colleagues in a neighbourhood team. You’ll be working one-to-one with an experienced tutor who will support you in putting your learning into practice as part of your operational duties.
You’ll also have the opportunity to shadow experienced PCSOs out and about in the community.
Please note, vacancies are available across the force area. We are unable to guarantee you a particular location.
More training information
Learning will cover a wide range of community focused topics including safety training, emergency life support, communication, wellbeing, problem solving and safeguarding.
You will undertake the majority of your training on the frontline alongside experienced colleagues, fully supported in putting your classroom-based learning into practice.
Phase 1 classroom learning:
5 weeks, Monday - Friday, 08:00 - 16:00, based at Ponteland.
This includes role-based general learning and learning in specific policing areas.
Shadowing period:
1 week, based in your Area Command on your assigned shift pattern.
Upon conclusion of the above phase of classroom learning you will enter the shadowing phase in an operational environment.
Phase 2 classroom learning:
6 weeks, Monday – Friday 08:00 – 16:00, based at Ponteland.
In the next phase of your classroom learning, you will build knowledge in key areas to successfully work within the community.
Phase 1 and 2 of your classroom learning will be 12 weeks in total.
Tutoring period:
Based in your Area Command on your assigned shift pattern.
Upon completion of the second phase of classroom learning, you will undertake a more advanced phase of 1-2-1 tutorship in an operational environment, where more advanced, community-based learning can be contextualised and supplemented.
Independent Patrol Status:
Once you have demonstrated and evidenced sufficient competence in the role of a PCSO, you will be confirmed independent, safe and lawful in the workplace.
Deployment:
You will continue working on your team with experienced mentors to achieve Full Operational Competence as a PCSO and the Level 4 Diploma in Community Policing Practice.
End Point Assessment:
At the end of the programme, you will complete an independent end-point assessment (EPA) of the knowledge, skills and behaviours that have been learnt throughout the apprenticeship.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
* English (level 2 equivalent) (grade Grade C (level 4) or above)
* Maths (level 2 equivalent) - for under 19's (grade Grade C (level 4) or above)
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
Maths (level 2 equivalent) - for over 19's (grade Grade C (level 4) or above)
A Level in:
Any subject (level 3 or equivalent) (grade Any grade)
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* Customer care skills
* Problem solving skills
* Team working
* Non judgemental
* Physical fitness
* Relationship building
* Prioritisation
* Resilient
* Keen to learn
Other requirements
If you do not meet the ONE A Level (Level 3 or higher) qualification, relevant work experience that will support your progression into the PCSO role will be considered. We will review work experience in line with our core force values and the National Competency and Values framework. Proof of qualifications are required on application.