At a Glance
- 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 - 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.
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 Whiston 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 Whiston
✨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 maybe even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interviews by practising common questions. Think about how your experiences relate to the skills needed for the role, like emotional intelligence and resilience.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When you get the chance to speak with interviewers, let them know why you want to be a probation officer and how you can make a difference in the community.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen and gives you access to all the latest opportunities.
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Probation Officer Programme in Whiston
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 avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured applications that get to the heart of what makes you a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget 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 Trainee Probation Officer Programme. We can’t wait to hear from you!
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 daily tasks, responsibilities, and the skills required. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show your genuine interest in the position.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Think about your past experiences, whether paid or voluntary, that relate to working with challenging behaviour. Be ready to share specific examples during the interview that demonstrate your emotional intelligence, resilience, and ability to build rapport quickly.
✨Practice Makes Perfect
Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when discussing how you would handle potentially volatile situations.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the training programme, opportunities for progression, or how the team supports each other. It shows you're engaged and serious about the role.