Skip to content

General Information

Business Unit
PDU Barnsley and Rotherham (2021), PDU Bradford and Calderdale (2021), PDU Doncaster (2021), PDU Hull and East Riding (2021), PDU Kirklees (2021), PDU Leeds (2021), PDU North and North East Lincolnshire (2021), PDU North Yorkshire (2021), PDU Sheffield (2021), PDU Wakefield (2021), PDU York (2021)
Date published
13-Jul-2026
Working time
Full Time, Part Time
Closing date
03-Aug-2026
Civil Service Grade
EO
Job ID
19533

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

PQiP Intake 21 – PSO Progression Programme: Professional Qualification in Probation 


This campaign is open to eligible Probation Services Officers (PSOs) and Programme Facilitators (PFs) directly employed by the Probation Service. If you are in another Probation Service, HMPPS or Ministry of Justice role, you may be eligible for the PQiP Internal Ministry of Justice campaign. 


Train to be a Probation Officer 


Salary: £28,064 per annum. London Probation Delivery Unit roles attract an additional allowance of £4,505 per annum for eligible workplaces within the M25 boundary. 


Staff already on the Band 3 Probation pay scale will remain on their current pay point. For Probation Band roles higher than Band 3, the salary is aligned to the nearest Probation Band 3 pay point. 

 

PQiP start date: 8th March 2027 

 

Role and programme overview 


Probation officers protect the public, support victims and help reduce reoffending by working directly with offenders in the community and in prisons. The PQiP programme is a fully funded, work-based route to becoming a probation officer, combining university learning with practical experience. 

The PSO Progression Programme is a 15-month route for eligible PSOs and PFs. Learners complete the required academic and vocational elements of the PQiP, programme including Level 5 study (where they do not already hold a level 5 qualification), the Vocational Diploma in Probation Practice and Level 6 modules. 


Eligibility and study requirements 


You must hold either a Level 3 or Level 5 qualification, in any subject. Applicants with a Level 3 qualification will complete an additional written assignment during selection to evidence readiness for PQiP-level study. This is separate from the online assessment centre and provides 40 academic credits towards PQiP. 


This is a full-time post of 37 hours per week. You will also need to commit personal study time, which will vary depending on your learning style. 

PQiP learning placements can be studied on a part-time basis, for those applicants who hold a level 5 qualification (or above). The working days are not fixed but there will be a requirement for all learners to attend live University and Learning and Development events even if they fall on a non-working day. 

Part-time learners must work at least 22.2 hours per week The programme length will be extended to facilitate part time hours - the standard 15-month programme will increase to a 21-month duration and the standard 21-month course will take up to 30 months to complete. 

(Learners who hold a Level 3 qualification are not eligible to be placed on a part-time programme) 

To apply, you must: 

  • Be a directly employed PSO of PF, with six months effective service and been appointed through open and fair competition. 
  • Not be subject to any formal procedures which remove you from the avenue of promotion. 
  • Not be subject to any formal performance management procedures.  
  • Have the right to work in the UK. 
  • Be at least 18 years old. 
  • Be NPPV vetted or be willing to undergo NPPV once in post. 
  • Hold either a Level 3 or Level 5 qualification, or above, in any subject. 


For more information visit Skills and qualifications you need - Prison and Probation Jobs 

 

Recruitment process 


The application process takes around 7 to 8 months and includes an application form and a half-day online assessment centre. Further information is available through the How to apply - Prison and Probation Jobs 

 

Online assessment centres are scheduled for end of September 2026. Interviews may be available in Welsh, subject to Welsh-speaking assessor availability. 


Qualification evidence 

  • Your fully completed qualification certificate. 
  • An exit award showing at least 120 credits at Level 5, if you did not complete your degree. 
  • A valid transcript or confirmation of your pass mark from your education provider, if your certificate is not yet available. 
  • Replacement qualification records requested through the relevant learning record service, where needed. You may be able to request them here. 
  • If your qualification cannot be confirmed or does not meet the requirements, your place may be withdrawn. 


Pre-employment checks and vetting 


If successful, you must complete pre-employment checks, including Enhanced Level 2 vetting and DBS. This applies to existing HMPPS employees. 

Trainee probation officers require access to the ViSOR database and must complete Non-Police Personnel Vetting Level 2. You must provide evidence of UK residency for the last 3 years. 


If you do not pass NPPV2 vetting, you may be unable to access ViSOR, fulfil the role requirements or complete PQiP. In some cases, redeployment may be considered; where this is not possible, employment may be terminated. 


You are responsible for providing accurate, up-to-date documents promptly when requested. Delays may mean checks are not completed before the fixed start date. 

All  roles are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, so spent and unspent convictions, cautions and discharges  must be declared,  however long ago they occurred, more information is available here. Cases are considered individually, but failure to disclose relevant information may end your application, we expect a high level of integrity from all those who we employ. 

The Probation Service  welcomes applications from people with lived experience, and we believe this makes a difference to our service user outcomes. A conviction does not necessarily  prevent you from becoming a probation officer. 

Location, allocation and standards 


You will rank your preferred Probation Delivery Units (PDU) within your chosen region. Please consider your choices carefully, as moves to other PDUs or regions may not be possible once training begins. 


Allocations are based on business need, assessment merit and PDU preferences. You may be allocated to a community or prison setting, including a public sector prison or privately run prison by secondment. 


Your starting location may not be your final base due to estate modernisation work taking place.  

 

Artificial Intelligence 


We understand that AI tools can be useful when preparing your application. However, it’s important that anything you submit reflects your own skills and experience. Applications may be reviewed for AI-generated content during initial screening. Using AI to generate false or misleading information is not acceptable and may result in your application being withdrawn. 


For full guidance on appropriate use of AI during the recruitment process, visit: Artificial intelligence and recruitment | Civil Service Careers 

  

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: Making the Civil Service a Great Place to Work for Veterans - GOV.UK 

 

Working for the Civil Service 

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and aim to build a diverse, inclusive workforce where everyone feels valued and able to belong. 

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. If you feel the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles, you can raise a formal complaint in the following order: 

1.     Shared Services Connected Ltd: call 0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or email Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com 

2.     Ministry of Justice Resourcing Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com 

3.     The Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service Commission 

Right to work in the UK 

You must have the right to work in the UK and Civil Service (Civil Service recruitment: nationality rules - GOV.UK). 

Skilled Worker visa changes from 22 July 2025. In accordance with current immigration rules, this role is not eligible for a Skilled Worker visa. 

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. 

Diversity, inclusion and wellbeing 

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: Equality and diversity - Ministry of Justice - GOV.UK 

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. 

 Disability support 

As a Disability Confident employer, the MoJ offers reasonable adjustment support so candidates can demonstrate their skills and abilities. 

Please request adjustments in good time before online tests or assessment centres. Assessors cannot usually accommodate requests made on the day. 

Select ‘yes’ on the application form if you think you may need reasonable adjustment support. 

Additional opportunities 


A bespoke Public Interest Transfer scheme may support certain relocation costs for eligible applicants open to a permanent move to: 


·        Kent Surrey & Sussex  

·        East of England  

·        London   

·        South Central 


Further details will be shared at the appointed time. If interested, select ‘Yes’ on the application form. 

 

Due to candidate volumes and wider policy, individual feedback is not available at sift stage. 

 

The Technical Requirements section of the attached job description does not apply to this trainee probation officer campaign.

  

Campaign live date: Monday 13 July 2026 

Closing date: Monday 3 August 2026 at 23:55


If you require 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 19533. 



Contact Information

For assistance, call 0345 241 5358, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, or email MoJ-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@soprasteria.co.uk  Please quote job reference 19533.


Level of security checks required
DBS Enhanced

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.