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- Tasks: Support offenders in turning their lives around and make communities safer.
- Company: Join the HM Prison and Probation Service, a leader in community rehabilitation.
- Benefits: Earn £26,475 during training, rising to £35,130, plus generous leave and pension.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining a professional qualification.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification required; experience with challenging behaviour is a plus.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career progression and personal growth.
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 Kirkby 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 Kirkby
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former probation officers on LinkedIn or at local events. They can give you insider tips and maybe even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions. Think about your experiences with challenging behaviour and how you've handled them. We want to see your emotional intelligence in action!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! During interviews, share why you want to be a probation officer and how you can make a difference. We love candidates who are genuinely committed to helping others.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and training opportunities right there.
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Probation Officer Programme in Kirkby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you dive into your application, make sure you thoroughly read the job description. It’s packed with important info about what we’re looking for and what the role involves, so don’t skip this step!
Show Off Your Skills: When writing your application, highlight your emotional intelligence, resilience, and any experience you have working with challenging behaviour. We want to see how you can bring these skills to the table!
Be Yourself: We value authenticity! Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your application. Share your passion for helping others and your commitment to making a difference in the community.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for this amazing opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at HM Prison and Probation Service
✨Know Your Role
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand what a probation officer does. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities and challenges of the role, especially how it involves working with offenders and supporting them in their rehabilitation. This will help you answer questions confidently and show your genuine interest in making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Highlight your emotional intelligence, resilience, and ability to build rapport. Think of specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed challenging behaviours or de-escalated tense situations. This will demonstrate that you have the right skills for the job and can handle the pressures that come with it.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street, so prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers. Inquire about the training process, the types of cases you might encounter, or how the team supports each other. This shows that you're engaged and serious about the role, plus it gives you valuable insights into the work environment.
✨Practice Report Writing
Since excellent report-writing skills are essential for this role, consider practising writing reports based on hypothetical scenarios related to probation work. This will not only sharpen your writing skills but also prepare you for any questions about report writing during the interview. Being able to articulate your thoughts clearly is key!
