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A competitive salary. Generous leave. Great training. Structured career paths. Our Probation Officers enjoy comprehensive benefits. But the real reward is the satisfaction they get from their work. Join them: help offenders in the community and in prisons turn their lives around – and protect the public from the effects of crime.

You get to support people in the community, you get to protect the public, and working with people to change their lives around is probably one of the best things you could do.

Roy, Probation Services Officer

 

Preventing Victims by Changing Lives

As part of Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), we give offenders support on the road to their rehabilitation and help them to make better life choices. By doing so, we reduce the chance that they’ll reoffend, and protect society against the effects of crime.

It’s something that involves close working with all kinds of offenders, including those who have committed violent and sexual offences. You’ll also work with victims of crime, colleagues across the criminal justice system, charities and the wider community.

At first, you’ll be a Probation Services Officer. But completing your fully-funded Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP) programme will give you the chance to take on even more responsibility as a Probation Officer.

What are we looking for?

You can apply if you’ve a level 5 (or an equivalent qualification).

Alternatively, many of our Probation Services Officers brought a background of working with individuals whose lives are in crisis and display the challenging behaviour we often see in offenders.

• Pay and benefits

  You’ll have a positive impact from day one. And in return, you can expect to:

  • complete either a 15 or 21-month* programme that leads to Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP) certification
  • earn £22,261 a year during training, plus £1,100 if based in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Kent, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk or Suffolk; or £3,889 in London (once PQiP-certified, your salary rises to £29,038 plus allowances).
  • enjoy 25 days’ annual leave (30 days after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays.
  • join the Local Government Pension Scheme.

  * Please note, this is the final opportunity for entry onto the 21 month programme for the foreseeable future.

• Where you’ll work

  Prisons | Helping high risk offenders to change, and reduce the likelihood of reoffending or causing significant harm. Working with Prison Officers and community teams to assess risks and resettle offenders.

  Courts | Preparing pre-sentence reports and giving advice in court on the risk of reoffending. This involves speaking with offenders, the police and other partner agencies.

  Communities | Managing offenders on community sentences or on licence from prison. Assessing risks and putting action plans in place while collaborating with partner agencies to tackle the causes of reoffending. You may also work with medium and low-risk offenders in one of our partner Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs).

…The theory that underpins probation practice is very motivating.