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- Tasks: Help people turn their lives around while managing a caseload of offenders.
- Company: Join the supportive and impactful Probation Service team.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £26,475 with annual pay progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and build a rewarding career.
- Qualifications: Empathy, patience, resilience, and good writing skills are essential.
- Other info: No degree required; on-the-job training provided.
The predicted salary is between 26475 - 29625 £ per year.
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?
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
If you are successful in the recruitment process to join the Probation Service, your starting salary will be £26,475.
The Probation Service offers the opportunity for annual pay progression through a Competency Based Framework (CBF), which if eligible, will see your pay increase. CBF is designed to enable you to move up through the pay band range as your competence grows.
Probation Service also increase their pay band ranges annually in line with Civil Service Pay guidance, which will also apply an increase to band pay ranges where applicable.
About the role
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’re looking for empathetic, patient and resilient people to join us as probation services officers. As well as making a difference to others, the role offers plenty of 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. The main difference is you’ll work with medium and lower risk clients. That’s not to say it’ll be easy. There’s no doubt this is a challenging role.
Day-to-day, you’ll manage a caseload of offenders before and after sentence. We’ll look to you to assess and manage risks, provide information to courts and work closely with agencies throughout the justice system. You’ll also do everything you can to support offenders. This could involve everything from providing practical advice about housing and employment to simply listening and empathising.
About you
You don’t need a degree for this role. We’re much more interested in your personal qualities. Ideally with experience of working with people who have social or personal difficulties, you’ll be empathetic, patient and resilient. Good writing skills are also essential. You must be able to produce clear and accurate reports to tight deadlines.
About us
By managing offenders in the community, the Probation Service protects the public from the effect of crime and gives offenders the chance to turn their lives around. Join us and you’ll be part of a supportive team that thrives on sharing knowledge and expertise.
Successful applicants may be based a wide variety of office, court, team or prison locations within the Probation Service region. Allocations will be made according to business need. To find out more about working as a Probation Service Officer please click here: Probation services officer – Ministry of Justice
Overview of the job
The job holder will undertake the full range of work with people on probation before and after sentence. This will include assessment, sentence implementation, offender management and producing reports. The job holder will provide case management support to a full range of people on probation utilising service procedures and practice directions that underpin professional judgement.
Summary
To assess and manage the risk (including risk management plans and escalation) 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.
- Supervise and manage risk of those people on probation subject to community sentences, during and after custodial sentences.
- Work with other agencies and groups to prevent crime and meet the needs of victims and people on probation.
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- To undertake the full range of offender management tasks with people on probation assessed as low or medium risk of harm and to support the Probation Officer grade in high risk cases.
- When providing case manager support, to contribute to the delivery of the Risk Management plan and report significant changes relating to risk of harm and/or of reoffending or any non‑compliance within agreed enforcement procedures.
- To use computer based systems to produce, update and maintain records and other documentation within agreed timescales.
- Ensure effective referrals to services and facilities and communicate with offender management staff, interventions staff, service providers and external agencies to review progress and associated risks.
- To undertake prison, home or alternate location visits as required in accordance with service procedures and policies.
- To undertake work in the court setting, including the completion of appropriate reports on cases and prosecution of breaches.
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10194 - Probation Services Officer West Berkshire, Reading (South Central) employer: Ministry of Justice
Contact Detail:
Ministry of Justice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land 10194 - Probation Services Officer West Berkshire, Reading (South Central)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Probation Service inside out! Research their values, mission, and recent news. This will help you connect with interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! As a Probation Services Officer, you'll need to be empathetic and clear when dealing with clients and agencies. Role-play interviews with friends or family to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees of the Probation Service on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips and might even refer you for the role. Plus, it shows initiative!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the latest job openings and resources to help you prepare for the recruitment process.
We think you need these skills to ace 10194 - Probation Services Officer West Berkshire, Reading (South Central)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Empathy: In your application, let us see your empathetic side! Share experiences where you've helped others or dealt with challenging situations. This role is all about making a difference, so we want to know how you connect with people.
Be Clear and Concise: Good writing skills are essential for this role, so make sure your application is clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We need to see that you can produce accurate reports under tight deadlines!
Highlight Relevant Experience: Even if you don’t have a degree, your personal qualities and experiences matter. Talk about any work you've done with people facing social or personal difficulties. We’re looking for resilience and patience, so share those stories!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our team there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Justice
✨Understand the Role
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand what a Probation Services Officer does. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities, such as managing caseloads and working with offenders. This will help you articulate why you're a good fit for the role.
✨Show Your Empathy
Since the role requires empathy and patience, be prepared to share examples from your past experiences where you've demonstrated these qualities. Think of situations where you've helped someone through a tough time or supported individuals facing challenges.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage risks. Practice how you would handle specific situations involving offenders, focusing on your approach to support and rehabilitation.
✨Highlight Your Writing Skills
Good writing skills are essential for this role, so be ready to discuss your experience in producing reports or documentation. You might even want to bring a sample of your writing to showcase your ability to communicate clearly and effectively.