At a Glance
- Tasks: Support offenders in turning their lives around and manage a diverse caseload.
- Company: Join the Ministry of Justice and make a real difference in your community.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available, with a focus on personal development.
- Why this job: Be part of a rewarding career that helps people rebuild their lives.
- Qualifications: Empathy, patience, and good writing skills are essential; no degree required.
The predicted salary is between 28064 - 33549 £ per year.
Salary: £28,064 - £33,549
Working Pattern: Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Location: Mansfield, Newark-on-Trent, Nottingham
Region: East Midlands
Closing Date: 29-Jun-2026
Business Unit: AGY - NOMS Agency
Post Type: Permanent
Civil Service Grade: Other
Number of jobs available: 7
Reserve List: 12 Months
Job ID: 18797
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?
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.
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.
Responsibilities
Day-to-day, you’ll manage a caseload of offenders before and after sentence. You’ll 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.
Right to work in the UK
You must have the right to work in the UK and Civil Service. Skilled Worker visa changes from 22 July 2025: 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. HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) cannot consider sponsoring you to work as a probation services officer unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa prior to the 22 July 2025 changes. If you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously, please raise this during your pre‑employment checks and your eligibility will be assessed in accordance with the immigration rules and transitional provisions in place. If you apply to be a probation services officer and you have not held a Skilled Worker visa prior to 22 July 2025, you will need to consider your options for obtaining and/or maintaining your right to work in the UK in light of these changes.
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non‑contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and/or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. 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.
Benefits
- Annual Leave: 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‑rated basis.
- Pension: Covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF). Current civil servants who are members of the PCSPS will be opted out of the PCSPS and auto enrolled into the LGPS.
- Training: The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
- Networks: Opportunity to join employee‑run networks that provide advice and support and enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed directly to senior management.
- Support: Family‑friendly policies such as job share or reduced hours; flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts; childcare information; paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave; free annual sight tests for employees using computer screens.
Eligibility
All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.
Nationality and Eligibility
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 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
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.
Contact Information
Phone: 0345 241 5358 (Mon‑Fri 8am‑6pm) | Email: moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk. Please quote the job reference: 18797.
18797 - Probation Service Officer - Nottinghamshire employer: Ministry of Justice
Join the Probation Service in Nottinghamshire, where you can make a meaningful impact on individuals' lives while enjoying a supportive and flexible work environment. With opportunities for professional development, generous annual leave, and family-friendly policies, we prioritise employee well-being and growth. Be part of a dedicated team that values empathy and resilience, and help us build safer communities together.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 18797 - Probation Service Officer - Nottinghamshire
✨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 18797 - Probation Service Officer - Nottinghamshire
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.
