22510 - Probation Officer - Southampton

The Methodist Church in Britain; Southampton, Eastleigh; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 25 days + holidays

LG Pension Scheme

Training and development opportunities

Employee‑run networks

Family friendly policies (reduced hrs,

Job summary

The Methodist Church in Britain is seeking Six permanent Probation Officer posts in the PDU Southampton Eastleigh & New Forest (SENF), within the National Probation Service. The role involves assessing and managing risk, supervising on community orders and licences, and preparing reports for courts and the Parole Board.

Hybrid working is available where business needs permit. A Probation Officer qualification and a standard DBS check are required; you will work with high and very high risk cases

Qualifications

• Probation Officer qualification or status with relevant professional registration.
• PQF Honours Degree or equivalent and Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice (or similar qualification) required.

Responsibilities

• Assess and manage risk posed by people on probation.
• Supervise individuals on community orders, licences and custodial sentences.
• Provide assessments and written reports for courts, Parole Board and partner agencies.
• Co-lead accredited programmes and support colleagues across teams.
• Maintain records using computer systems and comply with timescales.

Skills

Risk management

Report writing

Stakeholder engagement

English communication

Education

Probation Officer qualification or status

PQF Honours Degree / Graduate Diploma / Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice / Diploma in Probation Studies / CQSW (Probation option)

Job description

Six permanent Probation Officer posts in PDU Southampton Eastleigh & New Forest (SENF), within the National Probation Service, with a reserve list held for 12 months. The work centres on assessing and managing risk posed by people on probation, supervising them on community orders, licences and custodial sentences, and writing reports for courts and the Parole Board. It includes cases assessed as high and very high risk, co‑leading accredited programmes, and hybrid working where business needs allow. Candidates need a Probation Officer qualification and a standard DBS check.

What the job involves

• Assess and manage risk posed by people on probation, to protect victims and the public
• Supervise people on community orders, licences and during custodial sentences
• Provide assessments and written reports for courts, the Parole Board and partner agencies
• Carry out the full range of offender management tasks, including high and very high risk cases
• Make timely referrals and build working relationships with courts, victim units, prisons, Approved Premises and external agencies
• Attend professional meetings and partnership forums such as MAPPA and MARAC
• Deliver and co‑lead accredited programmes commensurate with grade
• Use computer systems to produce and maintain records within agreed timescales
• Support and guide colleagues and Probation Services Officers, and provide cover within own and other teams
• Make prison, home or other location visits as required
• Conduct mandatory alcohol and drug tests and follow prescribed medication procedures
• Carry out safeguarding children duties and model pro‑social behaviour in line with PS and HMPPS policies

What’s required

Qualifications

• Probation Officer qualification, or qualified Probation Officer status
• PQF Honours Degree/Graduate Diploma and Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice, or Diploma in Probation Studies, or Diploma in Social Work (Probation option), or CQSW (Probation option)

Experience

• Working with a wide variety of people who have experienced social or personal difficulties
• Working with diverse communities, promoting equality and valuing diversity
• Motivating individuals and groups to change offending behaviour
• Working with people who have committed offences

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge of the Criminal Justice System and the Probation Service
• Working knowledge of relevant legislation and National Standards
• Knowledge of evidence based practice and risk/needs assessment tools
• An understanding and appreciation of equality
• Ability to carry out all spoken aspects of the role confidently in English, or Welsh where specified in Wales

Checks & eligibility

• DBS standard check
• Security and identity checks before taking up post
• Eligible under Civil Service nationality rules

Other

• Civil Service behaviours: making effective decisions, changing and improving, working together, delivering at pace, communicating and influencing

What’s offered

• Annual leave of 25 days, rising to 30 after five years, plus public holidays
• Local Government Pension Scheme through Greater Manchester Pension Fund
• Training and development opportunities
• Employee‑run networks
• Family friendly policies, including reduced hours and job share
• Flexible benefits, retail vouchers and discounts
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens