Probation Services Officer - Bristol PDU (South West) (Ref: 9619)

Overview

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?

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. We are looking for empathetic, patient and resilient people to join us as probation services officers. The role offers 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, with the main difference that you’ll work with medium and lower risk clients. There’s no doubt this is a challenging role.

Responsibilities and duties

• Day-to-day, manage a caseload of offenders before and after sentence. Assess and manage risks, provide information to courts and work closely with agencies throughout the justice system. Support offenders, including practical advice about housing and employment, and listening and empathising.
• Undertake the full range of work with people on probation before and after sentence, including assessment, sentence implementation, offender management and producing reports. Provide case management support to a full range of people on probation utilising service procedures and practice directions that underpin professional judgement.
• Assess and manage the risk posed by people on probation to protect victims of crime and the general public by: liaising, providing information and advice to criminal courts, criminal justice agencies and other partner agencies; supervising and managing risk of those on probation subject to community sentences, during and after custodial sentences; working with other agencies to prevent crime and meet the needs of victims and people on probation.
• Adhere to PS policies and procedures with a commitment to equality and inclusion and an understanding of their relevance to the work. Adhere to policies regarding the sensitive and confidential nature of information handled in this position.
• Occasional out-of-hours work may be required (e.g., Courts, Approved Premises, programmes, evening reporting).
• Carry out safeguarding children duties in accordance with PS statutory responsibilities and agency policies.
• Demonstrate pro-social modelling by reinforcing pro-social behaviour, challenging anti-social behaviour, and working within the aims and values of PS and HMPPS.
• Carry out duties as described, with openness to reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level as necessary.
• Provide language proficiency as required (English or Welsh, where specified in Wales).

Qualifications and requirements

• No degree required; personal qualities are prioritized. Ideally experience working with people who have social or personal difficulties; empathy, patience and resilience are essential. Good writing skills are essential, with the ability to produce clear and accurate reports to tight deadlines.
• New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
• Must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role in English, or Welsh where specified.
• Security checks: successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check; baseline security checks may be required.
• Nationality requirements apply as described in the vacancy information.

Benefits

• Access to learning and development
• Flexible working options to enhance work-life balance
• Inclusive and diverse work culture
• Civil Service pension with employer contribution of 28.97%
• Annual Leave and Public Holidays
• Season Ticket Allowance

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances, and answers to general queries, please review the Candidate Information Page.

Security, nationality, and selection process details are also provided in the vacancy information. This vacancy uses Success Profiles to assess Behaviours, Strengths, Ability and Experience.