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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, 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 development opportunities await you.
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 its 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 Swindon 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 Swindon
✨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 noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Probation Officer Programme in Swindon
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 hearing about your commitment 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 volunteering at a charity to working in customer service. We want to know how you've built those essential skills!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate well-organised applications that are easy to read and understand.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!
How to prepare for a job interview at HM Prison and Probation Service
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a probation officer inside and out. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities, the skills required, and the impact you can have on offenders' lives. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show your genuine interest in the position.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Think about any past experiences you've had working with challenging behaviour, whether it's through paid work or volunteering. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your emotional intelligence, resilience, and ability to build rapport. This is your chance to demonstrate how you can handle the situations you'll face as a probation officer.
✨Practice Makes Perfect
Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common interview questions. Focus on articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Practising will help you manage nerves and ensure you present yourself in the best light during the actual interview.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare a few insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the organisation is the right fit for you. Consider asking about the training process, team dynamics, or opportunities for professional development.
