Probation Officer (Ref: 12224)

HM Prison and Probation Service; Blyth; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A national criminal justice organization in the UK seeks a Probation Officer to manage risks and support individuals on probation. You will assess and advise courts, collaborate with multiple agencies, and ensure public safety through effective offender management. The ideal candidate holds the necessary qualifications and has a strong understanding of the criminal justice system.

Benefits

Access to learning and development

Flexible working options

Civil Service pension with employer contribution

Annual Leave and Public Holidays

Qualifications

• Probation Officer qualification or a qualified Probation Officer.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Probation Service.
• Working knowledge of relevant legislation.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional advice and assessment to courts.
• Undertake offender management tasks with varying risk levels.
• Ensure effective referrals and relationships with partner agencies.

Skills

Knowledge of the Criminal Justice System

Risk assessment

Effective decision-making

Communication and influencing

Education

PQF Honours Degree/Graduate Diploma

Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice

Job description

Overview

To assess and manage the risk posed by people on probation to protect victims of crime and the general public by:

• Providing information and advice to criminal courts, other criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.
• Supervising people on probation subject to community orders and licences and during custodial sentences.
• Contributing to the management of risk.
• 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 post holder must at all times demonstrate a commitment to equality and inclusion and an understanding of their relevance to the work they undertake. The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional advice and assessment, including written reports to courts, the Parole Board, other criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.
• Undertake the full range of offender management tasks with people on probation assessed at all levels of risk of serious harm including high and very high.
• Use computer‑based systems to produce, update and maintain records and other documentation within agreed timescales.
• Ensure timely and effective referrals to, and relationships between, offender management, court teams, victim contact units, interventions, Approved Premises, prisons and external agencies to enhance positive outcomes, manage risk and reduce reoffending.
• Attend professional meetings and represent the PS at appropriate partnership forums e.g. MAPPA, MARAC.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, maintain effective team relationships and provide professional guidance and support to Probation Services Officers (PSOs) and other staff as appropriate.
• Provide cover within your team and to other teams as required.
• Undertake prison, home or other alternate location visits as required.
• Deliver and co‑lead accredited programmes commensurate with grade.
• Conduct mandatory alcohol and drug tests as required, and follow prescribed medication procedures.
• Carry out safeguarding children duties in accordance with the PS statutory responsibilities and agency policies.
• Demonstrate pro‑social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro‑social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti‑social behaviour and attitudes.
• Work within the aims and values of PS and HMPPS.

Qualifications and Technical Requirements

• Probation Officer qualification or be a qualified Probation Officer.
• Hold a 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).
• Knowledge and understanding of the work of the Criminal Justice System and the Probation Service.
• A working knowledge of relevant legislation and National Standards.
• Knowledge of Evidence‑Based Practice and risk/needs assessment tools.
• Making effective decisions; changing and improving; working together; delivering at pace; communicating and influencing.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Nationality Requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) and those who have made a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the EUSS
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Benefits

• Access to learning and development
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance work life balance
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• Annual Leave and Public Holidays
• Season Ticket Advance

Recruitment Process

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please refer to the Candidate Information Page.