Probation Service Officer

Ministry of Justice; London Borough of Ealing; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Leave: 25–30 days + holidays

LGPS Pension

Training & development

Flexible working policies

Employee networks

Job summary

The Ministry of Justice is recruiting a Probation Service Officer for the Probation Delivery Unit in London. You will manage a varied caseload, assess individuals, implement sentences and provide case management support while working in partnership with local agencies.

The role supports staff wellbeing and career development. You don’t need a degree; empathy, resilience and strong writing skills are essential, with the possibility of working across multiple locations in the Probation Service

Qualifications

• You don’t need a degree for this role.
• Experience with people who have social or personal difficulties is helpful.
• You are empathetic, patient and resilient.
• Good writing skills and ability to produce clear reports are essential.

Responsibilities

• Undertake assessment and sentence implementation for people on probation.
• Provide offender management and case management support.
• Produce accurate reports and maintain service procedures.
• Collaborate with multi‑agency partners and teams.

Skills

Empathy

Resilience

Written communication

Reporting

Job description

Ealing and Hillingdon Probation Delivery Unit (PDU) serves two diverse and vibrant West London boroughs. Our diverse team manages varied and rewarding caseloads, working closely with local partners, communities and services to reduce reoffending, protect the public and support positive, lasting change. As a Probation Service Officer, you will join a supportive and forward-thinking PDU that is committed to innovation and staff wellbeing. We also have an award-winning women's hub, which provides dedicated support for women on probation. We welcome applicants with a wide range of skills and life experience, including those considering probation as a second career, and will support you to develop, contribute ideas and make a visible difference.

• Manage a varied caseload across diverse communities in Ealing and Hillingdon.
• Work closely with partner agencies and our award-winning women's hub.
• Join a diverse and inclusive team that values innovation, fresh ideas and different experiences.
• Benefit from a strong focus on wellbeing, learning and career development.

A testimonial from a current Probation Service Officer: I really enjoy being a PSO as the job is constantly challenging me while continuing to offer opportunities to learn and giving me a fantastic skill set through working with a wide range of people and multi‑agency partners. It's never boring, and I find it really rewarding to support people to make positive changes in their lives, while also having the responsibility of protecting the public. Ultimately, it's a job that gives you a real sense of purpose and the opportunity to make a genuine difference.

Please note that interviews will take place week commencing 14th December 2026. We are unable to arrange interviews on any other dates. This is an 'Outcome in a Day' campaign, which means you will be advised of the outcome following your interview. If you are successful, you will be placed on a reserve list. Once all interviews have been completed, successful candidates will be ranked according to their merit score, with vacancies offered in merit order, subject to availability.

If you are successful in the recruitment process to join the Probation Service, your starting salary will be £28,064, Pro‑Rata for Part‑Time roles. In addition this post attracts a London allowance payment which will be discussed at interview. 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 increase their pay band ranges annually in line with Civil Service Pay guidance.

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. For further information on the summary, responsibilities, activities, duties of the role and the Civil Service Success Profile Criteria which will be used in the assessment process, please refer to the full Job Description Attachment.

Right to work in the UK

You must have the right to work in the UK and Civil Service (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules). Skilled Worker visa changes from 22 July 2025: In accordance with current immigration rules, this role is not eligible for a new Skilled Worker visa. From 22 July 2025, the Government introduced changes to the eligibility criteria for Skilled Worker visas. As a result: HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) cannot consider sponsoring you to work as a probation services officer unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa prior to the 22 July 2025 changes. If you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously, please raise this during your pre‑employment checks and your eligibility will be assessed in accordance with the immigration rules and transitional provisions in place. If you apply to be a probation services officer and you have not held a Skilled Worker visa prior to 22 July 2025, you will need to consider your options for obtaining and/or maintaining your right to work in the UK in light of these changes. If your application is successful, you will need to ensure that you have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom. HMPPS will continue to comply with UK Immigration Rules applied in the UK and Civil Service. You can read more about Skilled Worker visas and the eligibility criteria here.

About us

By managing offenders in the community, the Probation Service protects the public from the effect of crime and gives offenders the chance to turn their lives around. Join us and you'll be part of a supportive team that thrives on sharing knowledge and expertise. Successful applicants may be based a wide variety of office, court, team, or prison locations within the Probation Service region. Allocations will be made according to business need. To find out more about working as a Probation Service Officer please click here.

Probation services officers can help make a real difference

Probation services officers are required to work within a variety of settings. There may be opportunities for positions within Probation Delivery Units (PDU), Courts, Prisons, Approved Premises etc. depending on business requirement. Probation services officers are based in a wide variety of settings, listed below:

• Accredited Programmes
• Structured Interventions & Attendance Centres
• Community Accommodation Services
• Community Integration and Contracts
• Contracts
• Courts
• Integrated Offender Management
• Performance & Quality
• Personality Disorder Projects
• Prisons
• Public Protection (Custody)
• Public Protection (Community)
• The Homeless Prevention Taskforce
• Service Centre
• Unpaid Work (community payback)

About you

You don't need a degree for this role. We're much more interested in your personal qualities. Ideally with experience of working with people who have social or personal difficulties, you'll be empathetic, patient and resilient. Good writing skills are also essential. You must be able to produce clear and accurate reports to tight deadlines.

Additional Information

Where applicants provide multiple location preferences, reserve lists will be managed in accordance with location preference/s, as indicated in your application. We will appoint in merit list order for each location outlined in the vacancy and hold a separate locational reserve list for each of these locations. After appointments have been made using this locational appointment process, any remaining candidates who met the benchmark for the role will remain on a locational reserve list in accordance with their preferences for 12 months. Please only indicate preferences where you are prepared to work.

The post is currently advertised without VISOR Vetting to enable appointment to take place as soon as possible, however, VISOR vetting will be required to be completed in post offer. Some PSO roles require the completion of an apprenticeship as part of the required learning and development. You will be advised on commencement in role if you are required to complete it.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

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 (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. 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. Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made. 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.

Communicating and Influencing Developing Self and Others Making Effective Decisions Experience

Communicating and Influencing Developing Self and Others Making Effective Decisions Experience.

The MoJ offers a range of benefits

• Annual Leave: Annual leave is 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‑rata basis.
• Pension: The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF). Please visit www.gmpf.org.uk for further information. Please note: Any current Civil Servant who is a member of the PCSPS, by accepting an offer of employment to the National Probation Services will be opted out of the PCSPS and auto enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Training: The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
• Networks: The opportunity to join employee‑run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed directly to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.
• Eligibility: All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.
• A range of 'Family Friendly' policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order: To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [e-mail]); To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team ([e-mail]); To the Civil Service Commission (details available here).

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace.

• A range of 'Family Friendly' policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces. For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.