Join Our WhatsApp Channel

Receptionist

By /

Receptionist – HM Prison & Probation Service | 2 Vacancies | £24,645–£26,723 Salary

HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) is recruiting two Receptionists to support the Probation Service in Northamptonshire, England. This permanent administrative role offers full-time and part-time working options and an opportunity to work within the Civil Service.

The successful candidates will provide reception services, welcome visitors, handle enquiries, support office administration and help maintain building security and safety.

Job Overview

  • Job Title: Receptionist
  • Employer: HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS)
  • Salary: £24,645–£26,723 per year
  • Location: Wellingborough and Northampton, Northamptonshire, England
  • Contract Type: Permanent
  • Working Pattern: Full-time or part-time
  • Number of Vacancies: 2
  • Job Reference: 486748
  • Advert Reference: 23379
  • Job Category: Administration / Corporate Support
  • Closing Date: 6 November 2026 at 11:55 pm
  • Visa Sponsorship: Not stated in the job advert. Applicants should confirm eligibility and sponsorship arrangements directly with the recruitment team before applying.

About the Role

The Receptionist will work within the Probation Service Directorate of HM Prison & Probation Service. The role involves providing an efficient first point of contact for visitors, people on probation and telephone callers, while delivering administrative support to operational teams.

The postholder will work collaboratively with colleagues and may provide reception and administrative cover for different teams when required. Training will be provided where necessary.

The role requires professionalism, discretion, good communication skills and the ability to handle confidential information appropriately. The successful candidates must also promote equality, diversity and non-discriminatory practices.

Please note that core working hours may include regular evenings and/or weekends, depending on operational requirements.

Key Responsibilities

The main duties of the Receptionist include:

  • Welcoming visitors and people on probation professionally in person, by telephone and through email.
  • Recording visitors’ arrivals and departures, notifying the relevant staff members and issuing visitor passes or security fobs when required.
  • Identifying potential safeguarding or security concerns and taking appropriate action, including alerting probation practitioners or management.
  • Using tact and diplomacy to manage difficult situations and recognising when additional security or emergency support is needed.
  • Responding to general enquiries about the Probation Service and local support services, including food banks, and referring complex enquiries to the appropriate manager.
  • Managing incoming and outgoing mail, office stationery, personal protective equipment (PPE), meeting room equipment and deliveries.
  • Coordinating meeting room, hot-desk and car-parking bookings, preparing rooms for events and assisting with event registration.
  • Paying bus fares and issuing travel warrants to people on probation, as well as handling petty cash and transferring cash or travel warrants between probation offices.
  • Supporting building security and health and safety, including monitoring CCTV, testing alarms, assisting with evacuations and undertaking keyholder duties.
  • Recording building faults and incidents, arranging maintenance requests and escalating urgent security or repair issues.
  • Escorting contractors and visitors around the building when required.
  • Providing confidential administrative support to operational teams, including maintaining paper and electronic records, updating databases, preparing correspondence, scanning documents and archiving sensitive information.

Additional duties of a similar level may be assigned according to the needs of the service.

Essential Requirements and Technical Skills

The advert specifies the following technical requirements:

  • GCSE grades A*–C, or equivalent, in English and Mathematics (and Welsh where applicable), or a proven track record in a comparable role.
  • An IT qualification equivalent to ECDL or CLAIT, or relevant work experience demonstrating equivalent competence.

Applicants should also be prepared to demonstrate the communication, organisational, administrative and interpersonal skills required to perform reception duties in a professional environment.

Behaviours Assessed During Recruitment

Candidates will be assessed against the following Civil Service behaviours:

  • Delivering at Pace
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Changing and Improving
  • Communicating and Influencing

The selection process will use the Civil Service Success Profiles framework and may assess behaviours, strengths, experience and technical skills.

Salary and Benefits

Successful applicants will receive a salary of £24,645–£26,723 per year, alongside the benefits offered for this position.

Get daily UK job alerts on WhatsApp!

Discover new UK vacancies, visa sponsorship opportunities and more.

Join Our WhatsApp Channel

Benefits listed in the advert include:

  • Access to learning and development opportunities.
  • Flexible working options to support work-life balance.
  • An inclusive working environment that values diversity.
  • Civil Service pension, with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
  • Annual leave and public holidays.
  • Season Ticket Advance.

Working arrangements will depend on operational requirements, and some evening or weekend hours may be required.

Location

The vacancies are based at the following Probation Service offices in Northamptonshire:

  • Wellingborough: NPS, 20 Oxford Street, Wellingborough, NN8 4HY.
  • Northampton: NPS, 43–47 Bridge Street, Northampton, NN1 1NS.

Applicants should consult the official vacancy details for further information about the working arrangements and office allocation.

Security Checks and Eligibility

Successful candidates must undergo a standard criminal record check or equivalent. Candidates working with government assets must also complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks.

The vacancy is broadly open to eligible UK nationals, Irish nationals, certain Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK, and other groups meeting the Civil Service nationality requirements.

Applicants should review the official nationality rules and confirm that they meet the relevant eligibility requirements before applying.

Application Process

To apply, visit the official HM Prison & Probation Service recruitment website and follow the instructions for Receptionist, vacancy reference 23379.

The advert states that feedback will only be provided to candidates who attend an interview or assessment. Applicants should ensure that all information in their application is truthful, accurate and based on their own experience.

Closing date: Friday, 6 November 2026, at 11:55 pm.

Official application link: https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/careers/JobDetail/23379?entityId=23379

Recruitment Contact

For enquiries about the vacancy or recruitment process, contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

  • Email: moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
  • Telephone: 0345 241 5358

For further information about recruitment, benefits and allowances, visit the Ministry of Justice Candidate Information Page:

Important Information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. HM Prison & Probation Service and the wider Civil Service are committed to fair and open recruitment, inclusion and equal opportunities.

Applicants should read the complete official job advert before submitting an application, particularly the nationality, security and recruitment requirements.

 

MORE OPPORTUNITIES

Find Your Next UK Job

Explore more vacancies, check salaries and find your next opportunity.

Discover more opportunities on TRHNP.

Related Posts

Scroll to Top