At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals on probation, helping them turn their lives around and stay safe.
- Company: Join the National Probation Service, dedicated to making a difference in people's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, 25 days annual leave, and a solid pension scheme.
- Other info: Access extensive training opportunities and join employee-run networks for support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while building a rewarding career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Empathy, patience, and good writing skills are essential; no degree required.
The predicted salary is between 26475 - 26475 £ per year.
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working Vacancy
Location: Coalville, Leicester, Loughborough
Region: East Midlands
Closing Date: 25-Jun-2026
Business Unit: PDU Leicester Leicestershire and Rutland (2021)
Post Type: Permanent
Number of jobs available: 20
Reserve List: 12 Months
Job ID: 18494
Description & requirements
Helping to keep the public safe. Giving people the chance to turn their lives around. Building a rewarding professional career. We’re looking for empathetic, patient, and organised people to join us in this varied role, which offers the chance to make a difference, gain new skills and build a rewarding career within the Probation Service. If this sounds like you, apply now.
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. New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. Probation Service also increases pay band ranges annually in line with Civil Service Pay guidance, which will also apply an increase to band pay ranges where applicable.
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.
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.
Benefits
- Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid.
- HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs.
- Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service, plus public holidays. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Pension
The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF). Please visit www.gmpf.org.uk for further information.
Training
The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
Networks
The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed directly to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.
Support
A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share. Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services. Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave. Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined by Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.
Civil Service Nationality Rules
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Additional information
Where applicants provide multiple location preferences, reserve lists will be managed in accordance with location preference/s. We will appoint in merit list order for each location outlined in the vacancy and hold a separate locational reserve list for each of these locations. After appointments have been made, any remaining candidates who met the benchmark for the role will remain on a locational reserve list in accordance with their preferences for 12 months. A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.
Probation Services Officer - Leicestershire in Coalville employer: Ministry of Justice
Join the Probation Service in Leicestershire, where you can make a meaningful impact on individuals' lives while enjoying a supportive and flexible work environment. With opportunities for professional growth through extensive training and a commitment to employee well-being, including generous annual leave and family-friendly policies, this role offers a rewarding career path in a community-focused setting. Embrace the chance to develop your skills and contribute to public safety in a collaborative and inclusive culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Probation Services Officer - Leicestershire in Coalville
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the probation services field on LinkedIn or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to empathy and resilience. Think of real-life examples where you've made a difference or helped someone through a tough time. This will show you're the right fit for the role!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on roles that truly resonate with your values. Use our website to find positions that align with your passion for helping others. Tailor your approach to each application to stand out!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds and demonstrates your professionalism.
We think you need these skills to ace Probation Services Officer - Leicestershire in Coalville
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your experiences and how they’ve shaped your approach to helping others.
Showcase Your Skills:Make sure to highlight your writing skills and any relevant experience you have working with people facing challenges. Clear and accurate reports are key in this role, so give us examples of how you've done this before!
Tailor Your Application:Take a moment to read the job description carefully and tailor your application to match. Use the same language and focus on the qualities we’re looking for, like empathy and resilience. It’ll make a big difference!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and securely. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Justice
✨Know Your Role
Before the interview, make sure you understand the responsibilities of a Probation Services Officer. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks like assessment, offender management, and report writing. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Empathy
Since this role requires a lot of interaction with individuals facing personal difficulties, be prepared to share examples from your past experiences where you've shown empathy and patience. Think about specific situations where you made a positive impact on someone's life.
✨Brush Up on Your Writing Skills
Good writing skills are essential for producing clear and accurate reports. Bring along samples of your written work if possible, or be ready to discuss how you approach writing under tight deadlines. This will highlight your ability to communicate effectively.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the training opportunities available or how the team supports each other. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the environment is right for you.