Bailiff

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through an apprenticeship or applying directly.

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could do a credit control and debt collection specialist advanced apprenticeship before getting a job as a bailiff.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

DirectApplication

Your employer will train you so you can apply for jobs without much experience.

You may find it useful when you apply for jobs to have experience dealing with people in difficult situations. For example, this could be through working in sales, the military, the prison service or the police.

To work as a bailiff or enforcement officer for the courts, you might need GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths.

Bailiff General Certificate

Before you can collect debts from someone on your own, you need to get a Bailiff General Certificate. If you do not have a certificate, you'll need to work with someone who does.

To get a certificate you'll need to:

• prove to a judge you're a 'fit and proper person' without a criminal record or debt
• know about bailiff law
• give a £10,000 bond to the court - you can take out an insurance policy to cover this
• get references from 2 people

Training

You can get:

• debt collection training from the Chartered Institute of Credit Management
• high court enforcement officer training  from the High Court Enforcement Officers Association

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to work well with others
• knowledge of public safety and security
• sensitivity and understanding
• legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• thinking and reasoning skills
• customer service skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• concentration skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• knowledge of psychology
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• physical fitness and endurance

What you'll do:

Bailiffs collect debts or give notices, summons and court documents.

Your work will depend on the type of bailiff you are.

You could:

• visit and write to people who owe money to ask for payment
• offer money advice
• arrange for people to repay what they owe
• attend court to ask for permission to enter properties
• give court documents
• take items and arrange to sell them at auction
• keep accurate records

Location : You could work in a court or in an office.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically demanding and you'll travel often.

Salary:

Starter : £18,000
Experienced : £40,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

35 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

Career Path:

With experience you could lead a team of bailiffs.

You could also become a senior manager or move into business development .