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- Tasks: Support offenders in turning their lives around through assessment and management.
- Company: Join the Probation Service, dedicated to public safety and rehabilitation.
- Benefits: Enjoy annual pay progression and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while building a rewarding career with on-the-job training.
- Qualifications: No degree needed; empathy, patience, and good writing skills are essential.
- Other info: Flexible work locations and potential out-of-hours duties may be required.
The predicted salary is between 21000 - 29000 ÂŁ per year.
This vacancy is for one PT (0.5FTE) role at NPS 41 Harpur Street, Bedford, MK40 1LY.
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 ÂŁ26,475
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 peoplesâ lives. Itâs not always easy to help someone turn their life around, but it can be immensely rewarding.
Weâre 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, youâll have a similar job to a fully qualified probation officer. The main difference is youâll work with medium and lower risk clients. Thatâs not to say itâll be easy. Thereâs no doubt this is a challenging role.
Day-to-day, youâll manage a caseload of offenders before and after sentence. Weâll look to you to assess and manage risks, provide information to courts and work closely with agencies throughout the justice system. Youâll 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 donât need a degree for this role. Weâre much more interested in your personal qualities. Ideally with experience of working with people who have social or personal difficulties, youâll 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 youâll 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.
In line with PS policies and procedures, the job holder must at all times demonstrate a commitment to equality and inclusion and an understanding of their relevance to the work they do.
The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position.
If relevant to the role, some out of hours working may be required (i.e. Courts, Approved Premises, programmes, evening reporting etc.).
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 nonâcompliance 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.
⢠To provide cover within teams as required.
⢠To deliver and co-lead accredited programmes commensurate with grade.
⢠To conduct mandatory alcohol and drug tests as required, and to follow prescribed medication procedures.
⢠Carry out safeguarding children duties in accordance with the PS statutory responsibilities and agency policies.
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8162 - Probation Services Officer (Unpaid Work) - Bedford, Bedfordshire - East of England employer: Ministry of Justice
Contact Detail:
Ministry of Justice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land 8162 - Probation Services Officer (Unpaid Work) - Bedford, Bedfordshire - East of England
â¨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Probation Service's values and mission. Understanding their commitment to public safety and rehabilitation will help you align your personal motivations with the role, making you a more compelling candidate.
â¨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former probation services officers. They can provide valuable insights into the day-to-day responsibilities and challenges of the role, which can help you prepare for interviews and demonstrate your genuine interest.
â¨Tip Number 3
Highlight any relevant experience in social work or community support roles during your interactions. Even if it's informal, showcasing your ability to empathise and support individuals facing difficulties will resonate well with the hiring team.
â¨Tip Number 4
Prepare for potential scenario-based questions in interviews. Think about how you would handle specific situations involving offenders, as this will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and readiness for the challenges of the role.
We think you need these skills to ace 8162 - Probation Services Officer (Unpaid Work) - Bedford, Bedfordshire - East of England
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of a Probation Services Officer. Familiarise yourself with the job description and think about how your personal qualities align with what they are looking for.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, emphasise any experience you have working with individuals facing social or personal difficulties. Use specific examples to demonstrate your empathy, patience, and resilience, as these are key traits for this role.
Showcase Your Writing Skills: Since good writing skills are essential for this position, ensure that your application is well-structured and free from errors. Include clear and concise language, especially when discussing your experiences and qualifications.
Tailor Your Application: Customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the Probation Services Officer role. Mention how you can contribute to the team and support offenders in turning their lives around, aligning your motivations with the values of the Probation Service.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Justice
â¨Show Your Empathy
As a Probation Services Officer, empathy is key. Be prepared to share examples from your past experiences where you've demonstrated understanding and support for individuals facing challenges. This will show that you have the personal qualities they are looking for.
â¨Highlight Relevant Experience
Even if you don't have formal qualifications, any experience working with people in difficult situations can be valuable. Discuss your previous roles or volunteer work that involved helping others, as this aligns with the responsibilities of the position.
â¨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Good writing skills are essential for this role. Be ready to discuss how youâve effectively communicated in past roles, whether through reports, emails, or face-to-face interactions. You might even want to prepare a brief written example to showcase your clarity and accuracy.
â¨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you would handle specific situations with offenders. Think about potential scenarios you might face in the role and how you would approach them, demonstrating your resilience and decision-making skills.
