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- Tasks: Support offenders in turning their lives around while gaining a professional qualification.
- Company: Join a dynamic team dedicated to making communities safer.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, and enrolment in the Local Government 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: Structured career paths and ongoing professional development opportunities await you.
The predicted salary is between 26475 - 35130 £ 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.
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 dependent 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.
Trainee Probation Officer Programme in Bentley employer: HM Prison and Probation Service
Contact Detail:
HM Prison and Probation Service Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee Probation Officer Programme in Bentley
✨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, share why you want to be a probation officer and how you can make a difference. Your enthusiasm can set you apart from other candidates.
✨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.
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Probation Officer Programme in Bentley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for helping others shine through. We want to see that you genuinely care about making a difference in people's lives, especially those who are looking to turn their lives around.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to include any experience you've had working with challenging behaviour, whether it's paid or voluntary. We value diverse backgrounds, so share your stories and how they've shaped your skills in this area.
Be Clear and Concise: Your written application should be easy to read and straight to the point. 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!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you'll find all the details you need about the role and the application process there!
How to prepare for a job interview at HM Prison and Probation Service
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand what a Trainee Probation Officer does. Familiarise yourself with the daily tasks, responsibilities, and the skills required. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Emotional Intelligence
As a probation officer, emotional intelligence is key. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully built rapport or de-escalated tense situations. This will demonstrate your ability to handle challenging behaviours effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and resilience. Think of specific situations where you had to manage difficult behaviour or support someone in crisis. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask. Inquire about the training process, opportunities for professional development, or how the team supports each other. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
