Probation Officer

Location: HMP The Mount (Bovingdon, Hemel Hempstead)

Salary: £28.63 limited per hour (Umbrella pay rate) or £20.30 per hour PAYE rate

The Role

We are seeking a high-caliber Probation Officer to join the team at HMP The Mount. This role is centered on the frontline delivery of the Offender Management in Custody (OMIC) model within a Category C training prison environment. At HMP The Mount, the focus is on progression and resettlement. You will be the lead professional responsible for navigating the complexities of long-term sentencing, ensuring that every individual under your supervision is challenged to change and prepared for the rigors of parole.

Key Responsibilities

• OMIC Model Leadership: Take full accountability for the case management of a complex caseload. Coordinate with Prison Offender Managers (POMs) and Key Workers to ensure the OMIC framework is delivered with consistency and purpose.
• Parole Board Specialist: Draft high stakes parole reports that provide a definitive analysis of risk, rehabilitation, and suitability for release. Synthesize psychological assessments and security intelligence into a cohesive recommendation.
• Oral Evidence & Hearings: Attend and lead at Parole Hearings. Defend professional assessments under cross examination by legal representatives and the Parole Board panel.
• Sentence Planning: Develop and monitor robust sentence plans that address the root causes of offending, focusing on the specific training and resettlement resources available at the Mount.
• Risk Mitigation: Maintain a constant, objective vigil on the risk of serious harm. Primary authority on whether a prisoner's risk can be safely managed in the community.

The Requirements

• Qualified Professional: Hold a Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP), Diploma in Probation Studies (DipPS), or Graduate Diploma in Community Justice (GDCJ).
• Environmental Adaptability: Comfortable and confident operating within a secure prison estate.
• Exceptional Reporting: Writing must be concise, evidence led, and free of ambiguity.
• Professional Courage: Willingness to make difficult, unpopular recommendations when evidence dictates, prioritizing public protection above all else.

Working at HMP The Mount

The team at HMP The Mount is a unique, fast paced environment dedicated to reducing reoffending through vocational training and structured progression. You will work within a multi disciplinary hub of prison staff, healthcare professionals, and educators, providing a holistic approach to case management.