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Probation Service Officer

On-site in London·Added today (last checked 10 Nov)

HM Prison and Probation Service

299 open roles

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Our summary

Salary
£28,064 - £33,549 a year

About £1,980 - £2,310 a month after tax.

Work mode
On-site, London
Closing date
Apply by Monday 23 November
Pension
28.97% employer pension

Skills

Requirements

What we're looking for

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.

Pay & benefits

What you'll get

£28,064 - £33,549

Pro-Rata for Part-Time role

In addition this post attracts a London allowance payment which will be discussed at interview.

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.

Please Note: 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, which will also apply an increase to band pay ranges where applicable.

  • Access to learning and development
  • A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
  • A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
  • A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
  • Annual Leave
  • Public Holidays
  • Season Ticket Advance

Visa & relocation

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.

Civil Service recruitment: nationality rules

Civil Service

This guide is intended to assist departments with managing their responsibilities on nationality rules related to Civil Service recruitment.

You can read more about Skilled Worker visas and the eligibility criteria here (https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa)

The role

Brent Probation serves one of London's most diverse communities, offering a dynamic and rewarding environment in which Probation Service Officers can make a real difference. Our dedicated teams, based in both the office and court, work closely with local communities, partner agencies and support services to protect the public, reduce reoffending and help people achieve positive, lasting change.

You will join a supportive and inclusive environment where colleagues are passionate about delivering excellent probation services and helping people build better futures. We value innovation, collaboration and professional development, creating an environment where staff can thrive and reach their full potential.

You will contribute at a crucial stage of the criminal justice process. Working closely with court colleagues and partner agencies, you will help provide timely information, assessments, and reports to support informed sentencing decisions. It is a varied, purposeful role where you can develop your communication and assessment skills while contributing to public protection and rehabilitation.

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.

Probation services officers can help make a real difference to peoples' lives. It's not always easy to help someone turn their life around, but it can be immensely rewarding.

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)

We're looking for empathetic, patient and resilient people to join us as probation services officers. As well as making a difference to others, the role offers plenty of on-the-job training and a real chance to build a career in the Probation Service.

As a PSO, you'll have a similar job to a fully qualified probation officer. The main difference is you'll work with medium and lower risk people of probation. That's not to say it'll be easy. There's no doubt this is a challenging role.

Day-to-day, you'll manage a caseload of offenders before and after sentence. We'll look to you to assess and manage risks, provide information to courts and work closely with agencies throughout the justice system. You'll also do everything you can to support offenders. This could involve everything from providing practical advice about housing and employment to simply listening and empathising.

How you'll work

Full-time, Part-time

This position is based at NPS WILLESDEN MAGISTRATES COURT LONDON NW10 2DZ, NPS WILLESDEN PROBATION OFFICE WILLESDEN NW10 2DW

Reference number

489663

Job grade

Other

NPS Pay Band 3 London

Contract type

Permanent

Type of role

Operational Delivery

Number of jobs available

19

Job summary

Please refer to Job Description

Testimonials from current Probation Service Officers

I really enjoy being a Probation Service Officer in Brent because I feel connected to the community I work with. I value meeting people, understanding their challenges and building positive relationships. What I find most rewarding is being able to listen, offer support and make a difference, even in small ways. Knowing that people feel comfortable approaching me gives me a sense of purpose and pride in my role.

I enjoy being a PSO because I know the work I do makes a positive difference in people's lives. Working in Brent, an area with a wide range of challenges, means there are always opportunities to help people make meaningful changes. Seeing individuals move forward, while knowing I'm helping to protect victims and keep my community safe, makes me proud of what I do.

As a new trainee PSO, I have felt incredibly welcomed and supported by the Brent team from day one. Brent is such a diverse and fascinating place to work, and I am really enjoying the opportunity to learn, develop my skills, and gain a better understanding of the local community. I look forward to continuing to grow in the role.

What I enjoy most about being a PSO is building positive relationships with people and helping them overcome barriers that may be stopping them from building a pro-social life. Brent is an enjoyable place to work with lots of colleague support. To work in Brent feels like family. There is also strong partnership working, and the chance to make a real impact on people's lives every day which feels very fulfilling and makes the job worthwhile.

The most rewarding part of my role is seeing people overcome challenges, rebuild relationships, gain employment, address substance misuse issues, and achieve personal goals. Knowing that I have helped someone make positive changes, while contributing to safer communities across North West London, gives me a strong sense of purpose and professional fulfilment.

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. What will yours be?

We're looking for empathetic, patient, and organised people to join us in this varied role, which offers the chance to make a difference, gain new skills and build a rewarding career within the Probation Service.

If this sounds like you, apply now.

Person specification

Please refer to Job Description

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

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

Benefits

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Job contact

  • Name : Recruitment Enquiries Team
  • Email : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
  • Telephone : 0845 241 5358

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Hiring process

Please note that interviews will take place week commencing 11 January 2027. 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.

To apply to this role you will be required to complete a short application form and detail responses to Civil Service Behaviours and Experience based question.

As part of this application, you will also be required to sit the Civil Service Judgement test (CSJT). The CSJT is a two-part test which looks at your ability to make decisions in relation to specific civil service behaviours.

The CSJT is stage one of your application process and you will have the option to complete a practice test immediately before taking the test, to give you an insight of what to expect before you start.

If you would like more information relating to reasonable adjustments and the CSJT, please see more details here. You can also watch a short a video here.

You can find out more about the CSJT and complete a practice test now here.

If you are successful in passing this stage, your full application will be sifted once the application deadline has closed. You will then receive further instruction on the progress and outcome of your application.

If we receive a high volume of applications, we may assess and progress candidates through the recruitment process in stages (tranches). Candidates who meet the required standard at sift may be held pending future assessment stages rather than progressing immediately. Interview invitations and subsequent offers will be managed in line with the tranche in which candidates are assessed and their position in merit order

If you apply for multiple vacancies for the same role, only one of your applications will be progressed. Any assessment scores achieved will be applied consistently across all applications for that role, this will be valid for 6 months.

Candidates who do not meet the minimum benchmark at either the Sift or Interview stage will not be eligible to reapply for the same role for six months from the date their assessment scores are progressed. There is also no guarantee that you will progress to the next stages of the recruitment process; however, we will keep you informed at each stage.

Take a look at a short video about Probation Service Officer Role here

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability and Experience.

https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

About HM Prison and Probation Service

Industry
Government Administration

In their own words

About the company & team

In Brent, we pride ourselves on:

  • A strong culture of teamwork, support and mutual respect.
  • Creating an inclusive environment where different perspectives are valued and everyone is encouraged to succeed.
  • Building effective and collaborative relationships with partner agencies and community organisations.
  • Supportive, visible and accessible leadership.
  • Excellent opportunities for professional development and career progression.
  • A commitment to staff wellbeing, diversity and inclusion.
  • A workforce that reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve.
  • Recognising and celebrating excellence, innovation and outstanding achievement.

Whether you are starting your career in criminal justice or bringing valuable life experience and transferable skills from another profession, Brent offers the opportunity to develop your expertise, contribute fresh ideas and make a meaningful impact every day.

Join Brent Probation Delivery Unit - we are individuals, but we stand as one team working together changing lives, strengthening communities, and creating safer futures.

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

  • Email : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Additional information

Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 23rd November 2026

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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Successful candidates must undergo an enhanced (or equivalent) criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

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)
  • 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)

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles and would like to raise this, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance. If the role has been advertised externally (outside of the Civil Service) and you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints

https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/careers/JobDetail/24094?entityId=24094

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