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- Tasks: Support offenders in turning their lives around and make communities safer.
- Company: Join a supportive and diverse team dedicated to social change.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, professional qualification, and pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification or above required; experience with challenging behaviour is a plus.
- Other info: Gain practical experience and career growth opportunities in a dynamic environment.
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.
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 Birkenhead 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 Birkenhead
✨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. Think about how your experiences relate to the skills needed for the role. We want to see your passion for helping others and your ability to handle tough situations.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your emotional intelligence! During interviews, share examples of how you've built rapport with challenging individuals. This is key for a role like this, so let us see your skills in action!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and eager to join our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Probation Officer Programme in Birkenhead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for the role! In your application, share why you want to be 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, make sure to mention any experience you've had working with challenging behaviour. This could be anything from volunteering at a charity to working in a customer service role. We want to know how you've handled tough situations!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the point, so make sure your skills and experiences shine through without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget 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, you'll find all the info you need about the application process there.
How to prepare for a job interview at HM Prison and Probation Service
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a probation officer inside and out. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities, the skills required, and the challenges faced in the job. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show your genuine interest in the position.
✨Showcase Your Emotional Intelligence
As a trainee probation officer, emotional intelligence is key. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed challenging behaviours or built rapport with difficult individuals. This will demonstrate your ability to connect with offenders and support them effectively.
✨Practice Report Writing
Since excellent report-writing skills are a must, brush up on your writing abilities before the interview. You might be asked to provide written examples or discuss how you would document interactions with offenders. Being able to articulate your thoughts clearly will set you apart.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the training programme and the team you'll be working with. This shows that you're not just interested in the job, but also in how you can grow and contribute to the community. It’s a great way to leave a lasting impression!
