embarking on a career within the probation service presents a rewarding path focused on public safety and offender rehabilitation.
from your initial recruitment, a starting salary of £26, is offered, with clear avenues for financial growth. the service emphasizes a competency-based framework (cbf) that facilitates annual pay progression, allowing your earnings to increase as your skills and expertise develop.
the cbf is meticulously designed to guide you through the pay band structure, reflecting your increasing competence.
furthermore, the probation service aligns its pay band ranges with civil service pay guidelines, ensuring regular, relevant salary adjustments.
the core responsibilities of a probation officer
beyond the financial aspects, a role in probation services offers substantial on-the-job training and a genuine opportunity to build a lasting career.
the work is multifaceted, ranging from providing crucial practical assistance with housing and employment to offering essential emotional support through active listening and empathy.
strong written communication is paramount. officers are required to produce clear, accurate reports within strict deadlines.
by managing offenders within the community, the probation service plays a vital role in safeguarding the public from the impact of crime, while simultaneously offering individuals a chance to reform their lives.
understanding your placement and duties
upon successful selection, you could be assigned to a variety of settings across the probation service region, including offices, courts, team locations, or even prisons.
these placements are determined by operational needs. for more in-depth information about the probation service officer role, further details can be found via the Ministry of Justice website.
the role involves the complete spectrum of work with individuals under probation supervision, both before and after sentencing.
this encompasses comprehensive assessments, the implementation of sentences, offender management, and the meticulous preparation of reports. you will provide case management support to a diverse range of probationers, adhering to established service procedures and practice directions that guide professional judgment.
assessing and managing risk for public safety
a key duty involves assessing and managing the risks posed by individuals on probation.
this includes developing and implementing risk management plans and knowing when to escalate concerns. the primary goal is to protect victims of crime and the general public. in all aspects of your work, you are expected to uphold the probation service's commitment to equality and inclusion, recognizing their relevance to the tasks you undertake.
depending on the specific demands of the role, some work outside of standard hours may be necessary.
this could include attending court, working in approved premises, participating in offender programs, or conducting evening reporting sessions. the role encompasses a range of responsibilities and activities, and you are expected to be adaptable to reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar nature.
significant changes to your duties might necessitate a review under the job evaluation scheme and should be discussed initially with your line manager.
a crucial requirement is the ability to confidently communicate verbally in english, or welsh where specified, to fulfill all spoken aspects of the role.
the application and assessment process
to apply for this position, you will need to complete a concise application form.
this will require you to provide detailed responses to three questions focusing on civil service behaviours and one question assessing your experience. as part of this application, you will be asked to complete the civil service judgement test (csjt).
the csjt is a two-part assessment designed to evaluate your decision-making capabilities in relation to specific civil service behaviours.
this test serves as the initial stage of the application process. you will have the opportunity to take a practice test immediately before the actual assessment, providing you with insight into what to expect.
if you successfully pass the csjt, your complete application will then be evaluated after the submission deadline.
you will receive subsequent communication regarding the progress and outcome of your application. further information about the csjt, including the opportunity to complete a practice test, is available.
details regarding reasonable adjustments for the csjt can also be found.
a short video offering insights into the csjt is also available. candidates who successfully pass both the csjt and the application sift stage will be invited for an interview. the hmpps (his majesty's prison and probation service) actively welcomes applications from former members of the armed forces; further details can be found via the career transition partnership link.
insights into the probation service officer role
you can view a short video that provides an overview of the probation service officer role.
please note that there is a limited two-working-day window to discuss and agree any necessary adjustments for the online test after the job advert closes.
understanding appointment processes and reserve lists
appointments will be made based on merit order for each location specified in the vacancy.
separate locational reserve lists will be maintained for each of these areas. once appointments are finalized using this process, any remaining candidates who have met the benchmark for the role will be retained on a locational reserve list for up to 12 months, in line with their stated preferences.
it is important to only indicate location preferences where you are genuinely prepared to work.
if you are subsequently offered a position from a reserve list for a preferred location and choose to decline it, you will be removed from the reserve list for that vacancy across all your indicated preferences. all employment offers are strictly made in merit order, reflecting your performance throughout the entire recruitment process.
candidates at the top of the merit list will be offered vacancies as they become available in their chosen locations.
entitlement to leave for part-time and job-sharing positions will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
pension, training, and employee networks
the national probation service is part of the local government pension scheme (lgps), managed by the greater manchester pension fund (gmpf).
the ministry of justice is committed to staff development, offering an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
employees have the opportunity to join staff-run networks. these networks provide advice and support and serve as a channel for employees from minority groups to express their views directly to senior management.
employee benefits and support
access to a range of flexible benefits is available, including voluntary benefits, retail vouchers, and discounts on various goods and services.
if you move to or from another employer, or across different parts of the civil service, it may affect your eligibility for childcare vouchers.
however, you might qualify for alternative government childcare support schemes, such as Tax-Free Childcare. more comprehensive information can be found on the gov.uk website or through the childcare choices initiative.
eligible employees are entitled to paid paternity, adoption, and maternity leave. additionally, employees who regularly use computer screens receive free annual sight tests.
working within the civil service framework
the civil service code outlines the expected standards of behaviour for all civil servants.
if you believe the recruitment process has not adhered to these principles, you have the right to raise a formal complaint. the process involves contacting transformative business services, the ministry of justice resourcing team, and, if necessary, the civil service commission.
disability confident employer and support for veterans
as a disability confident employer, the ministry of justice is dedicated to ensuring everyone has the opportunity to showcase their skills, talent, and abilities.
this commitment is demonstrated through making necessary adjustments throughout all stages of the recruitment process and within the workplace.
the initiative to make the civil service a great place to work for veterans includes a guaranteed interview scheme for those who meet the minimum criteria.
this aims to provide eligible former members of the armed forces with pathways to secure fulfilling employment.
contact and application resources
for any assistance or inquiries, please contact the provided phone number during operating hours or email the dedicated enquiries address.
further details and documentation, including the probation service officer job description (ps-jes probation services officer v7.pdf), are available for download and preview.
the application process typically involves stage assessments.
key skills assessed include communicating and influencing, developing yourself and others, making effective decisions, and demonstrating evidence of your experience through specific questions. sections of the website also provide information related to surrey county cricket club, including membership, hospitality, and merchandise, which are separate from the probation service career information.
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