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- Tasks: Support offenders in turning their lives around while gaining a professional qualification.
- Company: Join a supportive and diverse team dedicated to making communities safer.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, training support, and pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and help build a positive future.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification or above required; experience with challenging behaviour is a plus.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 26475 - 29124 £ per year.
Training salary of £26,475 (during training), moving to £35,130 once in a qualified probation officer role. There is a London weighting allowance of £4,249 which is additional to these salaries. An extraordinary job. Done by someone like you. As a probation officer, you can change lives. Working with offenders in the community, in prisons and in courts – you’ll support them to get back on track and turn their lives around. You’ll also gain a professional qualification with our support, along with a competitive salary, generous leave and great training.
What The Role Involves
You’ll work as a probation services officer while you earn your qualification. Visiting prisons and attending courts, you’ll make interventions with offenders that enable them to understand their behaviour and want to change it. You’ll help them bring out their potential to build a more positive future and reduce the chance that they’ll reoffend. And you’ll take pride in helping to make our communities safer places. Growing your knowledge and skills with a mixture of theory and practical training, you’ll also work with victims of crime, colleagues across the criminal justice system, charities and the wider community. You’ll learn from different situations every day. After you’ve qualified, you’ll be able to apply to become a probation officer with opportunities to keep developing and growing your knowledge, and progress through structured career paths.
Skills And Experience
Our people come from a variety of backgrounds, so there’s no single type of probation officer. To join, you’ll need emotional intelligence, resilience and the ability to stay calm under pressure. You’ll also need to be the kind of person who can build rapport quickly and de‑escalate potentially volatile situations. As well as being happy to self‑manage, you should have passion for and commitment to your work. Excellent report‑writing skills are also a must. Lastly, you should have some experience of working with people who’ve demonstrated challenging behaviour. It doesn’t matter whether it’s paid or voluntary – just that it involves the kind of behaviour we see from offenders.
What You Need To Apply
To apply, you’ll need a recognised Level 3 qualification or above, such as A level, access to higher educational diploma, advanced apprenticeship, applied general or AS level. It doesn’t matter what subject your Level 3 qualification is in. We offer different learning programmes dependant on the level of qualification you hold. These range from 15 months for Graduates with a level 5 qualification to 27 months for our non‑graduate programme. If your application is successful, we’ll assess your previous education in order to offer you the correct length of the programme – 15, 21 or 27 months.
What We Offer
You’ll receive a competitive salary and benefits package, including enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme. Under the scheme you would make contributions of around 6.5% of the pay you receive, with employer contributions of around 29.6% of your pay. You’ll also be part of a supportive, diverse and friendly team environment, with support and guidance from your divisional training manager, your line manager and practice tutor throughout your studies.
Trainee Probation Officer Programme in Smethwick employer: HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS)
Contact Detail:
HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee Probation Officer Programme in Smethwick
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current probation officers or those in the criminal justice field. They can give you insider tips and might even know about job openings before they're advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to emotional intelligence and handling challenging behaviour. We recommend role-playing with a friend to build your confidence and get feedback.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When you get the chance to speak with interviewers, share why you want to be a probation officer and how you can make a difference. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’ve got loads of resources to help you prepare for the next steps in your journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Probation Officer Programme in Smethwick
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for the role! In your application, share why you want to become a probation officer and how you can make a difference in people's lives. We love candidates who are genuinely committed to helping others.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Whether it's paid or voluntary, tell us about your experience working with challenging behaviour. This could be anything from mentoring to volunteering at community centres. We want to know how you've developed those essential skills!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. Remember, excellent report-writing skills are a must for this role, so show us what you've got right from the start!
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy, which is always a bonus!
How to prepare for a job interview at HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS)
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a probation officer and the skills required. Familiarise yourself with the challenges offenders face and think about how you can help them. This will show your passion for the job and your commitment to making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Whether it's paid or voluntary, be ready to discuss any experience you've had working with challenging behaviour. Prepare specific examples that highlight your emotional intelligence and resilience. This will demonstrate that you have the right mindset for the role.
✨Practice Active Listening
During the interview, listen carefully to the questions being asked. Take a moment to think before you respond, and don’t hesitate to ask for clarification if needed. This shows that you’re engaged and willing to communicate effectively, which is crucial in this line of work.
✨Prepare Questions
At the end of the interview, you’ll likely be asked if you have any questions. Prepare thoughtful questions about the training programme, team dynamics, or the challenges faced by probation officers. This not only shows your interest but also helps you assess if the role is the right fit for you.
