Probation Services Officer – The Probation Service

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. We are looking for empathetic, patient, and resilient individuals to join us in this varied role, which offers the chance to make a real difference, gain new skills, and build a rewarding career within the justice system. If you are an organized professional who thrives in a supportive team environment, your journey toward a purposeful career starts here.

About the Role

As a Probation Services Officer (PSO), you will play a vital role in protecting the public and supporting the rehabilitation of offenders in the community. While you do not need a degree, you will perform many of the same high-impact duties as a qualified Probation Officer, specifically managing a caseload of medium and lower-risk individuals. You will be a “technical detective” of human behavior—assessing risks, implementing sentences, and producing critical reports for the courts. Your day-to-day work involves a balance of enforcement and empathy; you will provide practical guidance on housing and employment while acting as a stable, listening presence for those navigating difficult personal circumstances.

Key Responsibilities

Caseload Management: Managing a dedicated caseload of people on probation both before and after their sentence.
Risk Assessment: Utilizing professional judgment and service procedures to assess and manage the risks posed by offenders.
Sentence Implementation: Ensuring that the requirements of the court’s sentence are carried out effectively and consistently.
Report Writing: Producing clear, accurate, and timely reports to inform court decisions and offender management strategies.
Support & Advice: Providing practical advice to offenders regarding social integration, including employment, education, and housing.
Multi-Agency Collaboration: Working closely with courts, prisons, and external agencies throughout the justice system to ensure a unified approach.

Requirements & Skills

Personal Qualities: Empathetic, patient, and resilient with a genuine desire to help others change their lives.
Experience: Ideally, experience working with individuals who have social or personal difficulties.
Writing Skills: Essential ability to produce clear, accurate technical reports under tight deadlines.
Analytical Thinking: Ability to provide case management support using professional judgment underpinned by practice directions.
Eligibility: You must have the right to work in the UK. Note: This role is not eligible for new Skilled Worker visas as of July 22, 2025.

Benefits & Career Progression

Starting Salary: £26,475.
Pay Growth: Annual progression through a Competency Based Framework (CBF), allowing your salary to increase as your expertise grows.
Pension: Access to the highly competitive Civil Service pension scheme.
Training: Extensive on-the-job training and professional development opportunities.
Impact: A rewarding career where you contribute directly to public safety and social change.

The Recruitment Process

The application involves a short form and questions based on Civil Service Behaviours and Experience. You will also be required to sit the Civil Service Judgement Test (CSJT), which assesses your decision-making skills. Successful candidates will then be invited to a formal interview.

To apply for this job please visit restless.co.uk.