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General Information

Salary
£35,130 - £42,000
Working Pattern
Part Time, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
Internal
Location
Barnstaple, Bath, Bournemouth, Bridgwater, Bristol, Camborne, Cheltenham, Chippenham, Dorchester, Exeter, Gloucester, Plymouth, Poole, Salisbury, St Austell, Swindon, Taunton, Torquay, Truro, Weston-super-Mare, Weymouth, Yeovil
Region
South West
Closing Date
11-Jul-2025
Business Unit
PDU Dorset (2021)
Post Type
Fixed Term, Loan
Civil Service Grade
Other
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
7389

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Overview of the job

Post holders will undertake the full range of offender management tasks with people on probation under supervision including assessment, sentence implementation and producing reports; utilising service procedures and practice directions to underpin professional judgement.

Summary

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

•             Providing information and advice to criminal courts, other criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.

•             Supervise people on probation subject to community orders and licences and during custodial sentences.

•             Contribute to the management of risk.

•             Work 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 job 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, 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.

•             Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes.

•             To work within the aims and values of PS and HMPPS.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.

An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.

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 requirements

You must hold a Probation Officer qualification or be a qualified Probation Officer. In addition, successful candidates must hold the following:

•             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.

Additional Information

This post is open to candidates on lateral transfer as a loan.

For internal candidates applying on promotion, the post will be a temporary act up with a loan agreement in place.

For External Candidates, the post will be on a fixed term contract

This position is open to full-time as a split role, or part time staff but will require the post holder to work across the BCP and Dorset Council areas and for them to be flexible about travel. This role requires attendance across Dorset for agreed YJS meetings including in young people’s home location, including IOM, MAPPA and links with the under 25s Pods.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a sound knowledge, approach and enhanced communication skills in relation to work with young offenders and especially in relation to those with challenging and risky behaviours given both maturity levels and childhood trauma. They will be a key resource for the team in relation to court work and assessment of risk, including sexual risk of harm, working closely within the local multi agency YJS team.

In addition, they will work collaboratively with colleagues, including the Senior Probation Officer to manage transferring young people to adult Services and other partner organisations. A PS Manager will be appointed long-arm to support learning and development and staff wellbeing.

This role offers a unique opportunity to develop within your current role/ grade and provide an invaluable resource to support better outcomes for young people to manage risk and reduce re-offending.

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.

Benefits

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 direct 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

Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.

Vacancies advertised “cross-government” are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules.

Support

  • 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

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. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

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.  

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'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

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) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (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

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information
For Further Information please contat carrie.pyecroft@justice.gov.uk

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 7389

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 7389

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Working Together, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Working Together
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
Statement of Suitability
Evidence of Experience
Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
To be confirmed
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Making Effective Decisions
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Level of security checks required
Enhanced Baseline Standard (EBS)