Probation Officer

Trainee Probation Officer – Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP)

Employer: HM Prison & Probation Service
Location: North West England
Salary: £28,064 per year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time and part-time options available
Hours: Full-time – 37 hours per week
Vacancies: 25
Reference: 469368
PQiP start date: 8 March 2027
Closing date: Monday 24 August 2026 at 11:55 pm
Campaign: Intake 21 – External Campaign

UK-based applicants only: Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK. This vacancy is not eligible for a Skilled Worker visa under the current immigration rules.

About the Trainee Probation Officer Role

HM Prison & Probation Service is recruiting Trainee Probation Officers for the Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP) programme in North West England.

This is an opportunity to build a professional career in probation while gaining practical experience and completing a fully funded, work-based professional qualification.

Probation officers play an important role in the criminal justice system. They work with offenders in prisons and communities, protect the public, support victims and help reduce reoffending.

Key Job Information

What Does a Probation Officer Do?

As a Trainee Probation Officer, you will develop the knowledge and practical skills required to assess and manage the risks posed by offenders.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Assessing and managing risks presented by offenders.
• Providing information and advice to criminal courts.
• Working with criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.
• Supervising offenders subject to community orders and licences.
• Working with offenders during custodial sentences.
• Contributing to risk-management processes.
• Supporting individuals to address offending behaviour.
• Helping offenders access education and employment.
• Supporting access to treatment and counselling.
• Working with other agencies to prevent crime.
• Supporting the needs of victims and offenders.
• Maintaining confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
• Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.

Professional Qualification in Probation

The Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP) is a work-based training programme designed to prepare candidates for a career as a qualified Probation Officer.

The programme combines:

• University learning
• Professional development
• Practical probation experience
• Workplace learning
• Knowledge modules
• Supervised professional practice

The programme is fully funded, providing candidates with the opportunity to earn while they learn.

Salary Progression

The starting salary for the Trainee Probation Officer role is:

£28,064 per year

Eligible London Probation Delivery Unit workplaces within the M25 boundary attract an additional allowance of:

£4,505 per year

After successfully completing the required training and qualifying as a Probation Officer, the starting salary is:

£37,238 per year

London weighting may apply where eligible.

PQiP Programme Length

The length of the programme depends on your existing qualifications.

Graduate Route

Candidates with a Level 5 qualification or above may complete either a 15-month or 21-month programme.

Examples include:

• Honours degree
• Foundation degree
• Diploma of Higher Education
• Level 5 vocational qualification
• Higher apprenticeship

15-Month Programme

To qualify for the 15-month programme, your degree or equivalent must include knowledge modules covering at least three of these four areas:

• Understanding Crime and Criminal Behaviour
• The Criminal Justice System
• Penal Policy and the Punishment of Offenders
• Rehabilitation of Offenders

21-Month Programme

If your Level 5 qualification does not include the required subject areas, you will most likely complete the 21-month PQiP programme.

This route includes the required knowledge modules and Level 6 elements needed to qualify as a Probation Officer.

Non-Graduate Route

Applicants with a Level 3 qualification can also apply.

Examples include:

• A Levels
• Advanced Apprenticeship
• International Baccalaureate Diploma
• Level 3 NVQ

Eligible non-graduates will normally complete a 27-month programme.

The programme includes:

• A Level 4 module
• Required knowledge modules
• Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice
• Diploma in Community Justice
• Level 6 Professional Qualification in Probation

Part-Time PQiP Option

Part-time study is available to applicants who hold a Level 5 qualification or above.

Part-time learners must work a minimum of:

22.2 hours per week

The programme duration will be extended to accommodate part-time working.

• Standard 15-month programme → approximately 21 months
• Standard 21-month programme → up to 30 months

Applicants holding only a Level 3 qualification are not eligible for the part-time programme.

Eligibility Requirements

To apply, you must:

• Have experience working with challenging individuals.
• Be able to demonstrate your suitability for probation work.
• Have the right to work in the UK.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be willing to undergo NPPV vetting.
• Hold a minimum Level 3 qualification or above in any subject.

Recruitment Process

The recruitment process takes approximately 7–8 months and includes:

1. Application form
2. Online assessment
3. Half-day assessment centre
4. Qualification verification
5. Pre-employment checks
6. Security and vetting
7. Final appointment

Online assessment centres are scheduled for September and October 2026.

Qualification Evidence

Candidates who reach the online assessment centre must provide evidence of their completed qualification.

Acceptable evidence may include:

• Completed qualification certificate.
• Exit award showing at least 120 Level 5 credits.
• Valid academic transcript.
• Confirmation of a pass mark from your education provider.
• Replacement qualification records obtained through the relevant learning record service.

Pre-Employment Checks and Vetting

Successful candidates must complete the relevant checks, which may include:

• Enhanced Level 2 vetting.
• DBS checks.
• Non-Police Personnel Vetting Level 2.
• Security checks.
• Baseline personnel security checks where applicable.

Trainee Probation Officers require access to the ViSOR database and must meet the relevant vetting requirements.

Applicants must provide evidence of UK residency for the previous three years.

Criminal Convictions and Disclosure

The role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

Candidates must declare relevant:

• Spent convictions
• Unspent convictions
• Cautions
• Discharges

Applications are considered individually.

A conviction does not necessarily prevent someone from becoming a Probation Officer, but applicants must provide accurate and complete information.

Location and Placement

Candidates will rank their preferred Probation Delivery Units (PDUs) within their selected region.

Allocations are based on:

• Business requirements
• Assessment performance
• Candidate preferences
• Available vacancies

Candidates may be allocated to community or prison settings, including public-sector prisons or privately operated prisons through secondment.

Working Hours

The standard full-time position is:

37 hours per week

Candidates must also commit to personal study time as part of the PQiP programme.

Benefits

Benefits include:

• 25 days’ annual leave.
• Public holidays.
• Civil Service pension.
• Average employer pension contribution of 27%.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Flexible working options.
• Season Ticket Advance.
• Inclusive working environment.
• Career development opportunities.
• Fully funded professional qualification.

Right to Work and Visa Sponsorship

Important for international applicants:

Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK.

The vacancy specifically states that, under current immigration rules, this role is not eligible for a Skilled Worker visa.

Therefore, candidates requiring new Skilled Worker visa sponsorship should not assume sponsorship is available.

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 with settled or pre-settled status.
• Certain individuals with limited or indefinite leave to remain.
• Eligible Turkish nationals and certain family members with the right to work in the Civil Service.

Disability Support

The Ministry of Justice is a Disability Confident employer.

Reasonable adjustments can be requested during the recruitment process.

Candidates should request adjustments as early as possible before online tests or assessment centres.

Veterans

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

Eligible former members of the Armed Forces may benefit from the Civil Service Guaranteed Interview Scheme where they meet the required criteria.

Additional Opportunities

PQiP university study normally begins twice a year, in:

• March
• September

A Public Interest Transfer scheme may also support certain relocation costs for eligible applicants considering a permanent move to:

• Kent, Surrey & Sussex
• East of England
• London
• South Central

If You Are Not Successful

Candidates who attend the assessment centre but do not successfully pass the PQiP application process may automatically be considered for a Probation Services Officer role.

Candidates can opt out of this consideration on the application form.

Key Behaviours Assessed

The selection process will assess:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Developing Self and Others
• Making Effective Decisions

Application Deadline

Closing date: Monday 24 August 2026
Closing time: 11:55 pm

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted through the official Ministry of Justice recruitment website.

Applicants should review the eligibility, qualification, vetting and right-to-work requirements before submitting an application.

Job Summary

Job title: Trainee Probation Officer
Employer: HM Prison & Probation Service
Location: North West England
Salary: £28,064
Qualified salary: £37,238
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time / Part-time
Vacancies: 25
Minimum qualification: Level 3
PQiP start date: 8 March 2027
Closing date: 24 August 2026
Skilled Worker sponsorship: Not eligible
Job reference: 469368

Important Applicant Reminder

This is an external recruitment campaign. Candidates already employed directly by the Probation Service or wider Ministry of Justice may need to apply through the relevant internal PQiP campaign.

Applicants should ensure that they meet all qualification, right-to-work, residency and vetting requirements before applying.