Probation Officers

Ministry of Justice; Lancashire; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency for justice is seeking a Probation Officer to assess and manage risks posed by individuals on probation. Responsibilities include providing assessments to courts, managing diverse offending behaviour, and ensuring effective collaboration with agencies. The role offers hybrid working arrangements and requires qualifications in probation practice. Ideal candidates will have experience working with varied individuals to motivate change and enhance public safety while benefiting from comprehensive training and flexible work policies.

Benefits

Annual leave of 25-30 days

Local Government Pension Scheme

Training and development opportunities

Access to flexible benefits

Paid family leave

Free annual sight tests

Qualifications

• Experience of working with a variety of social and personal difficulties.
• Understanding equality and promoting diversity.
• Experience in managing and motivating offenders.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional advice and assessments to courts and agencies.
• Undertake offender management tasks for various risk levels.
• Maintain records and documentation accurately.

Skills

Working with diverse communities

Motivating change in offending behaviour

Effective communication

Education

Probation Officer qualification or qualified Probation Officer

PQF Honours Degree or relevant Diploma

Tools

Evidence Based Practice knowledge

Knowledge of risk/needs assessment tools

Job description

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.

Work arrangements

The MoJ offers hybrid working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non‑contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home. Some roles will not be suitable for hybrid working.

Office location

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre‑employment checks.

Working hours

Standard full‑time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part‑time, flexible and job‑sharing working patterns where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part‑time, flexible and job‑sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS’ Flexible Working policy.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties Probation Officers may be required to undertake any combination, or all, of the duties and responsibilities set out below.

• To provide professional advice and assessment, including written reports to courts, the Parole Board, other criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.
• To 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.
• To use computer based systems to produce, update and maintain records and other documentation within agreed timescales.
• To 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.
• To attend professional meetings and represent the PS at appropriate partnership forums e.g. MAPPA, MARAC.
• To work collaboratively with colleagues, maintain effective team relationships and provide professional guidance and support to Probation Services Officers (PSOs) and other staff as appropriate.
• To provide cover within your team and to other teams as required.
• To undertake prison, home or other alternate location visits as required.
• To deliver and co‑lead accredited programmes commensurate with grade.
• To conduct mandatory alcohol and drug tests as required, and to follow prescribed medication procedures.
• Carry out safeguarding children duties in accordance with the PS statutory responsibilities and agency policies.

Behaviours

• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

Essential experience

• Experience of working with a wide variety of people who have experienced a range of social/personal difficulties.
• Experience of working with diverse communities including promoting equality and valuing diversity.
• An understanding and appreciation of equality.
• Experience of working with individuals and groups in order to motivate and change offending behaviour.
• Experience of working with people who have committed offences.

Technical qualifications

• Probation Officer qualification or a qualified Probation Officer.
• 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.

Benefits

• Annual leave of 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years' service, plus public holidays.
• Leave for part‑time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro‑rated basis.
• National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF).
• Training and development opportunities offered by the Ministry of Justice.
• Access to employee‑run networks and family‑friendly policies such as reduced hours or job sharing.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.