22416 - Community Payback Supervisor - Outcome in a day - Gloucestershire

22416 - Community Payback Supervisor - Outcome in a day - Gloucestershire

Gloucester Full-Time 35640 - 43560 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Supervise community projects, helping people on probation make a positive impact.
  • Company: Join the Ministry of Justice and be part of a meaningful mission.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, annual leave, pension scheme, and training opportunities.
  • Other info: Flexible working patterns available, with opportunities for career progression.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a full UK manual driving licence required.

The predicted salary is between 35640 - 43560 £ per year.

Interviews for this role will be held in person on Wednesday 4th November at Gloucester Probation Office. This will be a full-day assessment event, providing an opportunity for you to meet colleagues and gain insight into the role through a visit to a live Community Payback project. You will be required to arrive at 09:30, with the morning dedicated to the site visit. Your interview will then take place in the afternoon virtually, your interview link will be emailed over to you by South West after your morning site visit. Please note that interviews will only be conducted on this date. You must be available for the full day, as we are unable to offer alternative dates or reschedule appointments.

This role is based within local communities across the South West, supporting the supervision of People on Probation as they complete their Community Payback hours. The post offers the opportunity to contribute to rehabilitation and reparation within the community, make a tangible difference to the lives of those we work with, and support public protection by delivering court-ordered sentences effectively. You will work directly with groups of People on Probation, providing pro social role modelling, developing practical life skills, and supporting desistance from further offending. The role is well suited to individuals who enjoy working with people, are organised and resilient, and are comfortable undertaking physical work, often outdoors in community settings.

You will be expected to follow clear processes, manage sensitive information appropriately, and engage with People on Probation with professionalism, care, and respect. This role would suit someone who is confident working independently, capable of leading groups, has practical or DIY skills, strong verbal communication abilities, and is motivated by contributing to effective sentence management, rehabilitation, and public protection.

Please note: Candidates must hold a full UK Manual Driving Licence when applying for this role, this is a mandatory technical requirement in order to carry out this role. We cannot accept candidates who hold an automatic Driving Licence only.

A career in community payback gives you the power to make a positive impact on the lives of People on Probation as well as your community. People come from all walks of life to form one team in the Probation Service. It's all about supporting People on Probation on their journey and making your community a better place. Whether that's building benches or cleaning the streets, you're there because you genuinely want to help. If this sounds like you, apply now.

If you are successful in the recruitment process to join the Probation Service, your starting salary will be £28,064. On a typical day, you’ll spend up to 7 hours supervising a group at a Community Payback unpaid work placement. Post holders may be required to undertake weekend working as part of their normal pattern of working.

The Community Payback supervisor role is accommodated to people on probation who work or have caring responsibilities. Community Payback projects run 7 days a week therefore you will: work frequent weekends, and you may be asked to cover some evenings. You will be paid a higher rate of 50% for weekend days you do work. In this role, the pace of our work means that rest breaks don’t always happen in the standard way. When this happens, we make sure your wellbeing is looked after. Your wellbeing really matters to us, so we want to be open about this from the outset. If you’re someone who enjoys a varied, active role where no two days are the same, this is a great environment to make a real difference while being fully supported.

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 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.

This is an operational role directly supervising work groups of offenders serving a community sentence. This may include driving service vehicles to transport people or equipment. The post holder will be responsible for all work site supervision tasks and will work with service users to ensure that all tasks are carried out to the best of their ability. This will include working alongside people to demonstrate good practice as necessary.

You must have the right to work in the UK and Civil Service. This role is not eligible for a new Skilled Worker visa. From 22 July 2025, the Government introduced changes to the eligibility criteria for Skilled Worker visas. As a result, HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) cannot consider sponsoring you to work as a community payback supervisor unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa prior to the 22 July 2025 changes.

Community Payback Supervisors will work with a diverse mix of individuals, so it’s important that you’re empathetic, a good communicator and happy to take the lead. It’s all about supporting offenders on their journey and making your community a better place. Whether that’s building benches or cleaning the streets, you’re there because you genuinely want to help people. As a Community Payback supervisor, you’ll be at the heart of this work, leading small teams to complete their unpaid work hours.

You’ll supervise and motivate them to complete a range of manual tasks to pay back for the harm they’ve caused. These tasks could include clearing overgrowth to make public spaces safer, restoring community facilities such as sports halls and playgrounds, planting trees or laying flowerbeds, and litter picking and graffiti removal.

To thrive in this role, you'll need:

  • Excellent people and communication skills
  • The confidence to lead, motivate and supervise groups
  • A full UK manual driving licence to drive Community Payback minibuses, transport equipment and travel to project sites
  • Practical skills or a trade, particularly in areas such as painting and decorating, carpentry, gardening, grounds maintenance, construction, landscaping or general maintenance.

This is a hands-on role where you'll help people on probation make a positive contribution to their local communities while developing skills and work habits that support rehabilitation. You may draw on experience from any setting, including employment, the Armed Forces, voluntary work, education, community projects, construction, maintenance, landscaping or other relevant activities.

Where applicants provide multiple location preferences, reserve lists will be managed in accordance with location preference/s, as indicated in your application. 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 using this locational appointment process, 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.

All offers of employment will be made strictly in merit order, based on your performance throughout the recruitment process. Candidates at the top of the merit list will be offered vacancies as they arise in their chosen locations. Once you have accepted an offer for a role, you will be withdrawn from any other applications for the same role and will no longer be considered for those vacancies.

The addresses listed in the job advertisement are not an exhaustive list of potential base locations; they give an indication of some of the potential locations you could be based at. We will therefore endeavour to offer you a vacancy within a 60-minute commute of your home location.

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. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS’ Flexible Working policy.

The MoJ offers a range of benefits including annual leave, pension, training, and employee-run networks for support and advice.

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post. A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share are available.

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found.

22416 - Community Payback Supervisor - Outcome in a day - Gloucestershire employer: Ministry of Justice

The Ministry of Justice is an exceptional employer, dedicated to transforming lives through education and vocational training. With a strong emphasis on supportive relationships and personal development, employees benefit from a collaborative work culture that prioritises safety and security while offering opportunities for professional growth and meaningful impact in the community. Working in this role not only allows you to make a difference but also provides a unique chance to contribute to the rehabilitation and resettlement of individuals in a dynamic environment.

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Contact Details:

Ministry of Justice Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land 22416 - Community Payback Supervisor - Outcome in a day - Gloucestershire

Dive into Local Community Groups

Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Ministry of Justice.

Attend Social Work Events and Workshops

Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Ministry of Justice!

Showcase Your Passion and Expertise

Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Ministry of Justice, will notice your enthusiasm!

Leverage Your Network

Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Ministry of Justice or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.

We think you need these skills to ace 22416 - Community Payback Supervisor - Outcome in a day - Gloucestershire

Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Adaptability
Time Management
Organizational Skills
Teamwork
Attention to Detail

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.

Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!

Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!

Tailor Your Application to Ministry of Justice:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Ministry of Justice! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Justice

Understanding the Role of Empathy

In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.

Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks

Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.

Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills

In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.

Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.