Pay and Benefits

Trainee probation officer pay and benefits

When you join the Probation Service, you’ll be making a positive impact from day one, joining a supportive team where you can learn and grow in your role as a trainee probation officer.

If you are successful in the recruitment process, we’ll aim to allocate you to a PQiP training placement at our next intake in March 2024. If successfully allocated, there may be an opportunity to join earlier and this will be confirmed nearer the time. Your starting salary for March 2024 will be £24,228. The Probation Service offers the opportunity for annual pay progression. Please see the below planned pay increases a trainee probation officer possibly could receive if they join the March 2024 cohort:

• March 2024 – £24,228
• 1 April 2024 – £25,310
• 1 October 2024 – £26,475

Please note this does not include London weighting allowance of £4,126 which is additional to these salaries.

Once you qualify as a probation officer, your salary will increase to £35,130 plus allowances.

You’ll also have access to a wide range of benefits:

• Annual Leave

   

  25 days on appointment rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service, plus 8 days public/bank holidays (pro rata for part-time employees) and 1 privilege day.

• Earn while you learn

   

  Complete either a 15 or 21-month programme that leads to Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP) certification (equivalent to a Higher Education level 6 qualification). Please note the course lengths are longer if undertaken on a part-time basis.

• Trade Unions

   

  You’ll have the opportunity to become a member of a recognised TU such NAPO, UNISON and GMB/SCOOP who are consulted on all issues regarding our staff.

  • https://www.napo.org.uk/
  • https://www.unison.org.uk/tag/national-probation-service/
  • https://www.gmb.org.uk/network/public-services-section/probation-noticeboard
• Blue Light Card Scheme

   

  This a discount service for public sector workers providing over 15,000 discounts from national retailers across a variety of categories including holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones and many others.

• Season Ticket Loans

   

  The Probation Service can provide loans to pay for travel, parking or the purchase of a bicycle to travel to your place of work.

• Employee Discounts

   

  Exclusive discounts at retailers – current examples include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Curry’s, Hotels.com and many others.

• Government Tax-Free Childcare Scheme

   

  The Tax-Free Childcare scheme provides up to £2000 per child per year to help with the cost of childcare, rising to £4000 for disabled children.

• Keyworker Housing Scheme

   

  Frontline Probation Service employees are considered to be keyworkers are therefore entitled to take advantage of ‘Key Worker Housing’ schemes. These initiative offers rental accommodation exclusively for key workers often at a reduced price (typically between 20%-35% cheaper) than average market private rentals.  There are also opportunities in some areas for key workers to apply for shared ownership schemes on new build properties.  These schemes are available across the country.

  Disclaimer: Please note that these schemes are NOT run by HMPPS . Being a HMPPS frontline employee only makes you eligible. Availability on these schemes will vary depending on your location. Please contact your local housing authority or association for availability in your area

   

• Student Card

   

  During your time studying PQiP you will be eligible to apply for a student card that will provide you with a number of discounts across retailers and supermarkets.

• Local Government Pension Scheme

   

  This Public Sector scheme is among the best occupational schemes available. Under the scheme you would make contributions of around 6.5% of the pay you receive, and we as the employer currently make a contribution into the pension pot of around 29.6% of your pay. Please note the contribution percentages are examples and are calculated based on your salary and are subject to change.