Probation Officer

Probation Officer – London Probation Service

UK JOB OPPORTUNITY

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is recruiting 100 Probation Officers to join the London Probation Service.

This is a permanent position based in London, with full-time, part-time and flexible working options available.

Job Overview

Job Title: Probation Officer
Job Reference: 16342
Employer: Ministry of Justice / HMPPS
Business Unit: London Probation Service
Location: London
Salary: £35,130 – £42,000
Additional Allowance: London Weighting allowance
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time, part-time and flexible working
Standard Hours: 37 hours per week
Number of Vacancies: 100
Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Security Check: Enhanced DBS
Reserve List: Up to 12 months

About the Role

As a Probation Officer, you will undertake the full range of offender management responsibilities for people on probation.

The role involves assessing and managing risk, implementing sentences, preparing professional reports and working with criminal justice agencies, partner organisations, victims and people on probation.

Key Responsibilities

Provide professional advice, assessments and written reports to courts and criminal justice organisations.
Manage people on probation across different levels of risk, including high and very high risk.
Supervise people subject to community orders and licences.
Assess and manage risks associated with people on probation.
Maintain accurate records and documentation.
Work with offender management teams, courts, prisons, victim contact units and external agencies.
Attend professional meetings and partnership forums such as MAPPA and MARAC.
Provide professional guidance and support to Probation Services Officers.
Undertake prison, home and other visits when required.
Deliver or co-lead accredited programmes.
Conduct mandatory alcohol and drug testing where required.
Carry out safeguarding responsibilities.
Promote positive behaviour and challenge anti-social behaviour.
Work in accordance with the aims and values of the Probation Service and HMPPS.

Essential Experience

Applicants should have experience of:

Working with people experiencing social or personal difficulties.
Working with diverse communities.
Promoting equality and valuing diversity.
Motivating individuals and groups to change offending behaviour.
Working with people who have committed offences.
Understanding equality principles.

Qualification Requirements

Applicants must hold a Probation Officer qualification or be a qualified Probation Officer.

Applicants must also hold one of the following:

PQF Honours Degree/Graduate Diploma and Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice
Diploma in Probation Studies
Diploma in Social Work – Probation option
CQSW – Probation option

Applicants should also have knowledge of:

The Criminal Justice System and Probation Service
Relevant legislation and National Standards
Evidence Based Practice
Risk and needs assessment tools

Behaviours Assessed

Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Delivering at Pace
Changing and Improving
Working Together

Application Assessment

Applicants will be assessed through the application form, statement of suitability, technical questions and interview.

Statement of Suitability

Applicants should demonstrate:

Knowledge and experience of working in a probation environment.
Experience applying Evidence Based Practice and risk/needs assessment tools.
Experience applying relevant legislation and National Standards.
Experience working with diverse communities.
Experience promoting equality and valuing diversity.

Technical Question

Applicants must provide details of their relevant qualifications, including dates and educational providers.

The technical question has a 250-word limit.

Interview

Interviews will take place on a rolling monthly basis. Interview dates will be confirmed by the employer.

Strengths will also be assessed during the recruitment process.

Working Arrangements

The Ministry of Justice offers hybrid working where business requirements allow.

Working arrangements may combine work from:

Your base location
Other MoJ sites
Home

This role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Part-time, flexible and job-sharing applications will be considered where they meet business requirements.

Working Hours

Standard full-time working hours are 37 hours per week, excluding unpaid breaks.

Salary and Allowance

£35,130 – £42,000

The role also attracts an additional London Weighting allowance.

Benefits

Annual Leave

Annual leave starts at 25 days and increases to 30 days after five years of service, plus public holidays.

Pension

The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

Training and Development

The Ministry of Justice provides training and development opportunities to support professional and career development.

Flexible Working

Options may include:

Part-time working
Flexible working
Job sharing
Reduced hours where appropriate

Family-Friendly Policies

Employees may have access to:

Maternity leave
Paternity leave
Adoption leave
Family-friendly working arrangements
Childcare support

Security and Eligibility Checks

Successful candidates will be subject to security and identity checks.

Security requirement: Enhanced DBS

Civil Service Nationality Requirements

The position is broadly open to eligible:

UK nationals
Republic of Ireland nationals
Eligible Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK
Eligible EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic and Liechtenstein nationals
Certain individuals with settled or pre-settled status
Other individuals who meet the Civil Service nationality requirements

Applicants should check the official nationality rules before applying.

Important Application Information

Applications are downloaded for sifting on the first working day of each new month during the campaign.

Successful applicants at the sift stage will be invited to interview during the same month their application is sifted.

This is a pan-London recruitment campaign covering vacancies within:

Sentence management
Courts
Prisons

Base locations will be determined according to business needs.

Artificial Intelligence Policy

AI tools may be used to support an application, but all examples and statements must be:

Truthful
Factually accurate
Based on your own experience

Applicants must not submit AI-generated experiences or other people’s examples as their own.

Disability Confident Employer

The Ministry of Justice is a Disability Confident employer and supports reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Veterans

Eligible former members of the Armed Forces may benefit from the Civil Service Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be maintained for up to 12 months.

Further appointments may be made from the reserve list for the same or similar roles.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is particularly suited to qualified Probation Officers with experience in:

Offender management
Risk assessment
Criminal justice
Rehabilitation
Probation services
Working with people who have committed offences

The required Probation Officer qualification is essential.

Closing Date

30 September 2026

Eligible candidates are encouraged to apply early.

How to Apply

Apply through the official Ministry of Justice/Civil Service recruitment system and quote:

Job Reference: 16342

Ensure your application clearly demonstrates your relevant qualifications, probation experience, risk assessment experience, knowledge of legislation and National Standards, Evidence Based Practice and experience working with diverse communities.

Contact Information

Ministry of Justice

Telephone: 0345 241 5359

Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm

Email: moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

HMPPS

Telephone: 0345 241 5358