Probation Service Officer – London | Ministry of Justice
UK-Based Applicants Only | 150 Vacancies | Permanent | Full-Time & Part-Time
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is recruiting 150 Probation Service Officers in London. This is an opportunity to join the Probation Service and support people on probation while helping to protect the public and reduce reoffending.
Job Overview
Job Title: Probation Service Officer
Employer: Ministry of Justice / Probation Service
Job Reference: 21295
Location: London
Region: London
Salary: £28,064 – £33,549 per year
Starting Salary: £28,064
Part-Time Salary: Pro-rata
Job Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time or part-time
Vacancies: 150
Closing Date: 4 September 2026
Reserve List: Up to 12 months
Security Check: DBS Enhanced
About the Role
Probation Service Officers play an important role in protecting the public and helping people turn their lives around.
You will work with people on probation before and after sentencing, providing case management support and helping them address issues that may contribute to offending.
The role combines assessment, offender management, report writing, risk management and collaboration with organisations across the justice system.
You may also provide practical support relating to areas such as housing and employment, while working with individuals to encourage positive change.
Key Responsibilities
As a Probation Service Officer, your duties may include:
- Managing a caseload of people on probation.
- Working with individuals before and after sentence.
- Assessing and managing risks.
- Supporting offender management activities.
- Implementing sentences in accordance with relevant procedures.
- Preparing clear and accurate reports.
- Providing information to courts.
- Working with agencies across the justice system.
- Supporting people experiencing social or personal difficulties.
- Providing practical guidance on issues such as housing and employment.
- Building professional relationships with people on probation.
- Applying professional judgement in accordance with service procedures and practice directions.
- Maintaining accurate records and completing work within required deadlines.
Who Can Apply?
You do not need a degree to apply for this position.
The Probation Service is particularly interested in applicants who can demonstrate the personal qualities required for this challenging role.
You should ideally have experience of working with people experiencing social or personal difficulties.
Key qualities include:
- Empathy
- Patience
- Resilience
- Organisation
- Good communication skills
- Strong writing skills
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to make sound decisions
- Ability to work effectively with others
- Commitment to supporting positive change
Good written communication is particularly important because you will be required to produce clear and accurate reports, often within tight deadlines.
Training and Career Development
The Probation Service provides on-the-job training and opportunities to develop your skills and build a long-term career.
Annual pay progression may be available through the Competency Based Framework (CBF), subject to eligibility and demonstrated competence.
Some Probation Service Officer positions may also require completion of an apprenticeship as part of the required learning and development. Successful candidates will be advised if this applies to their role.
Working Arrangements
The standard full-time working week is 37 hours, excluding unpaid breaks.
HMPPS welcomes:
- Full-time working
- Part-time working
- Flexible working
- Job-sharing arrangements
These arrangements are subject to operational requirements and the HMPPS Flexible Working policy.
Hybrid working may be available where business needs allow. However, this role must be performed within the UK and cannot be worked overseas.
Successful candidates may be based at a range of locations including:
- Probation offices
- Courts
- Team locations
- Prison locations
- Justice Collaboration Centres
- Justice Satellite Offices
The advertised addresses are not an exhaustive list of possible locations. The employer will endeavour to offer a vacancy within approximately a 60-minute commute of your home location, subject to business requirements.
Salary
£28,064 – £33,549 per year
New entrants are expected to start at the minimum point of the advertised pay band:
Starting salary: £28,064
Part-time positions will be paid on a pro-rata basis.
Eligible employees may receive annual pay progression through the Competency Based Framework.
Employee Benefits
The Ministry of Justice offers a range of benefits, including:
Annual Leave
- 25 days’ annual leave on appointment.
- Increasing to 30 days after five years’ service.
- Plus public holidays.
- Part-time and job-share leave is calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Pension
The role provides access to the applicable pension arrangements for the Probation Service.
Training & Development
Employees have access to extensive training and professional development opportunities.
Flexible Working
Family-friendly policies and opportunities for reduced hours, part-time working and job sharing may be available where operational requirements permit.
Other Benefits
Depending on eligibility, employees may have access to:
- Family-friendly policies
- Paid maternity leave
- Paid paternity leave
- Paid adoption leave
- Voluntary benefits
- Retail discounts and vouchers
- Childcare support schemes
- Free annual eye tests for employees who use computer screens
- Employee support networks
Recruitment Process
Applicants will be required to complete a short application form and provide evidence against the relevant Civil Service Success Profile criteria.
The recruitment process includes a Civil Service Judgement Test (CSJT).
Stage 1 – Civil Service Judgement Test
The CSJT assesses your ability to make decisions in situations relating to Civil Service behaviours.
Candidates will have an opportunity to complete a practice test before taking the assessment.
Stage 2 – Application Sift
If you successfully pass the CSJT, your full application will be assessed after the application deadline.
Depending on application volumes, the recruitment team may initially assess candidates against the lead behaviour only.
Stage 3 – Interview
Candidates who successfully pass the CSJT and application sift may be invited to interview.
Interview dates are currently to be confirmed.
Application Assessment
Behaviours
The application form will assess:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Developing Self and Others
- Making Effective Decisions
Application question word limit: 250 words.
Experience
Your experience will be assessed through experience questions and evidence of experience.
Experience question word limit: 250 words.
Interview Behaviours
The interview will assess:
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
Abilities
Your ability to communicate verbally and in writing will also be assessed.
Written communication will be assessed throughout the application process, while verbal communication will be assessed during the interview.
Strengths
Strengths will also be assessed, but these will not be disclosed in advance.
Right to Work and Visa Sponsorship
Important: This vacancy is not eligible for a new Skilled Worker visa under the current rules.
The Ministry of Justice states that HMPPS cannot consider sponsoring a new Skilled Worker visa for this Probation Service Officer role unless the applicant held a Skilled Worker visa before the 22 July 2025 immigration changes and qualifies under the applicable transitional provisions.
Therefore:
Applicants who require a new Skilled Worker visa sponsorship should not assume that this vacancy offers sponsorship.
Applicants who have continuously held a Skilled Worker visa prior to the relevant changes should raise their circumstances during pre-employment checks so their eligibility can be assessed.
You must have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the UK and in the Civil Service.
Civil Service Nationality Requirements
The role is broadly open to eligible:
- UK nationals
- Republic of Ireland nationals
- Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK
- Eligible EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic and Liechtenstein nationals
- Eligible family members covered by the EU Settlement Scheme
- Individuals with applicable settled or indefinite leave to remain
- Eligible Turkish nationals and certain family members who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Applicants must satisfy the applicable Civil Service nationality and right-to-work requirements.
Security Checks
Successful applicants will be subject to security and identity checks.
The required level of security clearance for this position is:
DBS Enhanced
VISOR vetting will also be required after an offer of employment where applicable.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be maintained for up to 12 months.
Candidates who meet the required benchmark but are not immediately appointed may remain on a location-specific reserve list.
Appointments will be made in merit order and according to available vacancies and location preferences.
Important Application Information
Applicants should only select location preferences where they are genuinely prepared to work.
If a candidate is subsequently offered a position based on a location preference and declines it, they may be removed from the reserve list for the vacancy across all stated location preferences.
Artificial Intelligence and Applications
The Ministry of Justice allows AI tools to be used as support during applications, but all examples and statements submitted must be:
- Truthful
- Factually accurate
- Based on your own experience
Applications may be withdrawn where plagiarism or misrepresentation is identified.
Do not submit AI-generated examples as though they represent your personal experience.
This vacancy requires applicants to have the legal right to live and work in the UK.
The position cannot be performed from overseas.
Applicants requiring a new Skilled Worker visa sponsorship should note that this specific role is not eligible for new sponsorship under the current rules.
Application Deadline
4 September 2026
With 150 vacancies available, interested candidates should review the requirements and complete the application before the closing date.
Job Reference: 21295
Official Job Information
The vacancy is advertised by the Ministry of Justice / Probation Service.
Applicants should review the full official vacancy information and recruitment requirements before submitting an application.
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Job Summary
Position: Probation Service Officer
Location: London
Employer: Ministry of Justice / Probation Service
Salary: £28,064 – £33,549
Starting Salary: £28,064
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time / Part-time
Vacancies: 150
Closing Date: 4 September 2026
Security: DBS Enhanced
Degree Required: No
New Skilled Worker Sponsorship: Not available for this role
Right to Work: Required
Job Reference: 21295