Probation Service Officer

Ministry of Justice; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading public service agency in the UK is seeking a Probation Service Officer to manage offenders' caseloads before and after sentences. The position involves assessing risks, providing court information, and collaborating with various agencies to support offenders. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills, understanding of the criminal justice system, and a commitment to diversity. Salary starts at £26,475 with additional benefits.

Benefits

Annual leave of 25 days, increasing to 30 after five years

Pension scheme

Extensive training opportunities

Flexible benefits and childcare support schemes

Qualifications

• Proficient communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Commitment to equal opportunities and diversity practices.
• Understanding of the criminal justice system and Probation Service.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of offenders before and after sentence.
• Assess and manage risks associated with offenders.
• Provide information to courts and collaborate with agencies.

Skills

Effective Decision Making

Communication and Influencing

Ability to Support Social Difficulties

Planning and Coordination

Education

5 GCSEs at Grade C or above, including English and Maths

Job description

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, and yours may be to help people on probation before and after sentence. The job holder will undertake the full range of work, including assessment, sentence implementation, offender management and producing reports. Case management support will be provided to a full range of people on probation using service procedures and practice directions that underpin professional judgement.

Risk Management and Liaison

• Liaise, provide information and advice to criminal courts, criminal justice agencies and other partner agencies.
• Supervise and manage risk of those people on probation subject to community sentences, during and after custodial sentences.
• Work with other agencies and groups to prevent crime and meet the needs of victims and people on probation.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

• Undertake the full range of offender management tasks with people on probation assessed as low or medium risk of harm and support the Probation Officer grade in high‑risk cases.
• Contribute to the delivery of the Risk Management plan and report significant changes relating to risk of harm, reoffending, or non‑compliance within agreed enforcement procedures.
• Use computer‑based systems to produce, update and maintain records and other documentation within agreed timescales.
• Ensure effective referrals to services and facilities and communicate with offender management staff, intervention staff, service providers and external agencies to review progress and associated risks.
• Attend prison, home or alternate location visits as required in accordance with service procedures and policies.
• Work in the court setting, including completing appropriate reports on cases and prosecuting breaches.
• Provide cover within teams 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 child duties in accordance with statutory responsibilities and agency policies.
• Demonstrate pro‑social modelling skills by reinforcing pro‑social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti‑social behaviour and attitudes.
• Work within the aims and values of the Probation Service and HMPPS.

Location & Allocation

Successful applicants may be based at a variety of office, court, team or prison locations within the Probation Service region. Allocations will be made according to business need, and a separate locational reserve list will be maintained for each advertised vacancy. Where multiple location preferences are provided, appointments will be made on merit order for each location outlined in the vacancy. Any remaining candidates who meet the benchmark for the role will remain on a locational reserve list for 12 months.

Recruitment Process & Assessments

To apply you will complete a short application form and respond to Civil Service Behaviours and Experience‑based questions. You will also sit the Civil Service Judgement Test (CSJT), which assesses your decision‑making across specific civil service behaviours. Successful completion of the CSJT allows your application to be sifted once the deadline closes. Subsequent steps include an interview if you pass both the CSJT and the application sift. Further information, a practice CSJT and reasonable adjustment details are available via the recruitment website.

About the Role

As a Probation Service Officer you will manage a caseload of offenders before and after sentence, assess and manage risks, provide information to courts and work closely with agencies throughout the justice system. You will support offenders with practical advice about housing, employment, and more, listening and empathising while maintaining professional boundaries.

Salary & Benefits

Starting salary will be £26,475, with annual pay progression through a Competency‑Based Framework (CBF). New entrants will join on the minimum of the advertised pay band, while existing civil servants will have salary calculated on transfer or promotion rules.

• Annual leave: 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years’ service, plus public holidays.
• Pension: Covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund.
• Training: Extensive range of staff development and training opportunities provided by the Ministry of Justice.
• Employee networks: Networks for minority ethnic origin, disabilities, caring responsibilities, women, LGBTQ+ staff.
• Family‑friendly policies: Options for reduced hours, job sharing, paid parental leave, and more.
• Additional benefits: Flexible benefits, retail vouchers, discounts, child‑care support schemes.

Behaviour, Ability & Technical Requirements

Behaviours

• Making Effective Decisions.
• Developing Self and Others.
• Working Together.
• Delivering at Pace.
• Communicating and Influencing.
• Managing a Quality Service.

Ability

• Communicate verbally and in writing.
• Support people with social or personal difficulties.
• Plan and coordinate work.
• Motivate and change behaviour in individuals or groups.
• Commit to equal opportunities and diversity good practice.
• Understand factors related to offending.
• Apply case‑management principles.
• Use risk management and risk assessment knowledge.
• Understand health & safety legislation.
• Know the criminal justice system and Probation Service.
• Know the aims and objectives of the Probation Service.

Technical

• High‑level numeracy and literacy skills, ability to read, understand and interpret policies; produce reports and correspondence for internal and external stakeholders.
• Minimum academic requirement: 5 GCSEs at Grade C or above, including English and Maths (degree not required).

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. Recruitment is by merit, based on fair and open competition. For any concerns about the recruitment process, formal complaints may be raised in the following order of contact: (1) To Transformative Business Services, (2) Ministry of Justice Resourcing team, (3) Civil Service Commission. The Ministry of Justice is committed to diversity, inclusion and supporting disabled candidates. Veterans, redundancies and redeployment opportunities are also taken into account during recruitment.