Probation Officer - HMP The Mount

Probation Officer - HMP The Mount

Full-Time 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Ministry of Justice

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage and support individuals on probation, ensuring public safety and reducing reoffending.
  • Company: Join the Ministry of Justice and make a difference in the community.
  • Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
  • Other info: Dynamic work environment with a commitment to equality and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Be part of a vital role that helps change lives and protect the public.
  • Qualifications: Must hold a Probation Officer qualification and relevant experience in offender management.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

Overview of the job

Post holders will undertake the full range of offender management tasks with people on probation under supervision including assessment, sentence implementation and producing reports; utilising service procedures and practice directions to underpin professional judgement.

Summary

To assess and manage the risk posed by people on probation to protect victims of crime and the general public by:

  • Providing information and advice to criminal courts, other criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.
  • Supervising people on probation subject to community orders and licences and during custodial sentences.
  • Contributing to the management of risk.
  • Working 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 undertake.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

  • Providing professional advice and assessment, including written reports to courts, the Parole Board, other criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.
  • Undertaking the full range of offender management tasks with people on probation assessed at all levels of risk of serious harm including high and very high.
  • Using computer based systems to produce, update and maintain records and other documentation within agreed timescales.
  • Ensuring timely and effective referrals to, and relationships between, offender management, court teams, victim contact units, interventions, Approved Premises, prisons and external agencies to enhance positive outcomes, manage risk and reduce reoffending.
  • Attending professional meetings and representing the PS at appropriate partnership forums e. g. MAPPA, MARAC.
  • Working collaboratively with colleagues, maintaining effective team relationships and providing professional guidance and support to Probation Services Officers (PSOs) and other staff as appropriate.
  • Providing cover within your team and to other teams as required.
  • Undertaking prison, home or other alternate location visits as required.
  • Delivering and co‑leading accredited programmes commensurate with grade.
  • Conducting mandatory alcohol and drug tests as required, and following prescribed medication procedures.
  • Carrying out safeguarding children duties in accordance with the PS statutory responsibilities and agency policies.
  • Demonstrating pro‑social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro‑social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti‑social behaviour and attitudes.
  • Working within the aims and values of PS and HMPPS.
  • Behaviours
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Changing and Improving
  • Working Together
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Communicating and Influencing

Essential Experience

  • Experience of working with a wide variety of people who have experienced a range of social/personal difficulties.
  • Experience of working with diverse communities including promoting equality and valuing diversity.
  • An understanding and appreciation of equality.
  • Experience of working with individuals and groups to motivate and change offending behaviour.
  • Experience of working with people who have committed offences.
  • Technical requirements
  • Hold a Probation Officer qualification or be a qualified Probation Officer. In addition, successful candidates must hold the following:
  • PQF Honours Degree/Graduate Diploma and Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice; or
  • Diploma in Probation Studies; or Diploma in Social Work (Probation option); or CQSW (Probation option).
  • Knowledge and understanding of the work of the Criminal Justice System and the Probation Service.
  • A working knowledge of relevant legislation and National Standards.
  • Knowledge of Evidence Based Practice and risk/needs assessment tools.
  • Working Arrangements & Further Information

The Mo J 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 Mo J sites and / or from home.

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 Mo J office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office.

This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre‑employment checks.

  • Civil Service Nationality Rules
  • 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
  • #J-18808-Ljbffr
Ministry of Justice

Contact Details:

Ministry of Justice Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Probation Officer - HMP The Mount

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 Probation Officer - HMP The Mount

Offender Management
Risk Assessment
Report Writing
Communication Skills
Collaboration
Knowledge of Criminal Justice System
Understanding of Equality and Diversity

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.