12195 - Probation Service Officer - Gloucestershire (South West)

Ministry of Justice; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A public service organization in the UK is seeking a Probation Service Officer to support vulnerable women under custody and community sentences. The role involves conducting risk assessments and managing rehabilitation plans while collaborating with judicial teams. Ideal candidates should exhibit strong communication and organizational skills and demonstrate a commitment to equality and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Ability to conduct risk assessments and manage complex cases.
• Strong skills in communication and collaboration with judicial and rehabilitation professionals.
• Commitment to equality and inclusion in practice.

Responsibilities

• Manage risk for individuals on probation, ensuring public safety.
• Participate in court proceedings, providing clear and accurate information.
• Develop and implement risk management plans.

Skills

Empathy

Patient support

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Decision-making

Job description

Probation Service Officer for Women

This role is an opportunity to work with complex and vulnerable women who are subject to custodial and community sentences in Gloucestershire. While being primarily responsible for their risk assessment and management, you will be supported in engaging and empowering these women to make positive changes in their lives through a trauma informed approach. You will work closely with the court team, prison colleagues at HMP Eastwood Park and the Nelson’s Trust to ensure end‑to‑end support and connection. You will also benefit from an advanced level of women’s specific training.

Core Tasks (Women)

• Risk assessment and management
• Writing Women’s Pre‑sentence reports
• Supporting effective resettlement in close collaboration with HMP Eastwood Park team
• Working in partnership with the Nelson’s Trust to deliver rehabilitative interventions

Probation Service Officer for Courts

As a Probation Court Duty Officer, you play a vital role in the criminal justice system, ensuring that courts have accurate, timely information to make informed decisions. This is a fast‑paced, dynamic role that requires excellent communication, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills. You will have the opportunity to make a real difference in public protection and rehabilitation, working in a challenging, rewarding environment where no two days are the same, and developing specialist skills in court processes and risk management.

Core Tasks (Courts)

• Court Representation: Act as the probation service’s representative in court, liaising with magistrates, judges, and legal professionals
• Information Provision: Provide clear, accurate advice to the court on sentencing options, risk factors, and suitability for community orders
• Risk Assessment: Quickly assess and communicate risk to the public, victims, and staff, ensuring safe and appropriate recommendations
• Report Writing: Prepare concise oral or written reports for the court, often under tight deadlines
• Collaboration: Work closely with probation colleagues, police, and other agencies to share information and manage risk effectively
• Decision Support: Advise on enforcement actions and breach proceedings, ensuring compliance with court orders

Why Join the Probation Service?

Helping to keep the public safe. Giving people the chance to turn their lives around. Building a rewarding professional career. There are many reasons to join the Probation Service. What will yours be?

We’re looking for empathetic, patient, and organised people to join us in this varied role, which offers the chance to make a difference, gain new skills and build a rewarding career within the Probation Service.

Remuneration and Progression

If this sounds like you, apply now.

If you are successful in the recruitment process to join the Probation Service, your starting salary will be £26,475 (Pro‑rate for Part‑time roles).

The Probation Service offers the opportunity for annual pay progression through a Competency Based Framework (CBF), which if eligible, will see your pay increase. CBF is designed to enable you to move up through the pay band range as your competence grows.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Probation Service also increases its pay band ranges annually in line with Civil Service Pay guidance, which will also apply an increase to band pay ranges where applicable.

Overview of the job

The job holder will undertake the full range of work with people on probation before and after sentence. This will include assessment, sentence implementation, offender management and producing reports. The job holder will provide case management support to a full range of people on probation utilising service procedures and practice directions that underpin professional judgement.

Summary

To assess and manage the risk (including risk management plans and escalation) posed by people on probation to protect victims of crime and the general public by:

• Liaising, providing information and advice to criminal courts, criminal justice agencies and other partner agencies
• Supervising and managing risk of those people on probation subject to community sentences, during and after custodial sentences
• Working with other agencies and groups to prevent crime and meet the needs of victims and people on probation

In line with PS policies and procedures, the job holder must at all times demonstrate a commitment to equality and inclusion and an understanding of their relevance to the work they do.

The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position.

Depending on the role, out of hours working may be required (i.e. courts, approved premises, programmes, evening reporting etc.).