Ministry of Justice

Train to be a Probation Officer

Salary £26,475 p.a.

PQiP start date: 1st March 2026

For London Probation Delivery Units there is an allowance of £4,249 per annum. (London allowance is extended to those staff who are contracted to workplaces within the M25 boundary)

What the role involves

The probation service plays a vital role in the criminal justice system. As well as the management of offenders, we’re responsible for taking preventive measures that protect the public, support victims and reduce the risk of reoffending. You’ll be working with offenders in the community and in prison by helping them to recognise the benefit of education, skills, treatment or maybe counselling to prevent reoffending.

We are looking for people with empathy and resilience to help people change. The role of a probation officer is rewarding but can be challenging- often people you come into contact with will have complex needs and may be struggling with their mental health or substance misuse, which can lead to challenging behaviour.

You will be supported throughout your training to develop the resilience and practical tool to challenge these behaviours in a constructive way. As part of this work-based training programme you’ll be working full time along side study- but you’ll be supported every step of the way.

You will be allocated some study time towards the required learning components; however, some study will need to be undertaken in your own time and the amount of own-time study varies between individuals depending on learning styles.

We offer different learning programmes which include PSO and Programme Facilitator Progression route (and for all other MOJ staff learning programmes dependant on the level of qualification you hold)

PSO’s & Programme Facilitators (PF’s) directly employed by the Probation Service

The training course will be challenging. We have compress the PQiP course into 15 months. This has been possible as PSO’s & PF’s will already have much of the technical skills and knowledge required. In the 15 months, learners will complete the Level 5 Diploma in Higher education (where they not already hold a level 5 qualification), the Vocational Diploma in Probation Practice (VQ5) and the level 6 academic modules (including the required knowledge modules for those with a level 5 which did not include them). The latter two comprise the current PQiP programme.

To be eligible to apply to the PSO/PF Progression programme, you must:

• Be a directly employed PSO/PF, appointed through fair and open competition
• Have complete at least six months effective service as a PSO/PF
• Not be subject to any formal procedures, which remove you from the avenue of promotion
• Not be subject to any formal performance management procedures
• Have the right to work in the UK (if you are not a UK or EU citizen, but have approximately 30 months or more leave to remain in the UK entitlement at the point of application, you may still apply)
• Be at least 18 years old
• Be NPPV vetted or be willing to undergo NPPV once in post
• In addition, you must hold either a level 3 or a level 5 qualification- It doesn’t matter what the subject the qualification is in. If you currently hold a level3 qualification, you will be asked to complete an additional written essay to evidence your suitability to study at the level required to undertake the PQiP programme. Please note this essay is separate from the assessments carried out at the online assessment centre (OAC).

Internal MOJ staff

For all other MOJ staff we offer different learning programmes dependant on the level of qualification you hold, ranging from 15 month for Graduates with a level 5 qualification to 27 months for our non-graduate programme.

Graduates with a level 5 qualification at time of application will complete a 15 or 21 month programme

To be eligible for the 15-month programme, you need to have studied knowledge modules in at least three of the following four topics as part of your degree (or equivalent)

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

Non-Graduates with a level 3 qualification will complete a 27-month Programme

This will involve completion of a level 4 module and the 4 knowledge modules within the first 12 months and in the final 15 months you will complete your level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice and a Diploma in Community Justice as well as your level 6 professional Qualification in Probation.

To be eligible to apply:

• Open to all directly employed (not agency) grades within the wider MOJ and its agencies & arm’s length bodies
• Must hold a minimum level 3 qualification – it can be any level 3 qualification.
• You will also need some experience of working with challenging individuals in order to be able to demonstrate your suitability for the post.
• Not be subject to any formal procedures which remove you from the avenue of promotion.
• Not be subject to any formal performance management procedures.
• Have the right to work in the Uk (if you are not a UK or EU citizen, but you have approximately 30 months or more leave to remain in the UK entitlement at the point of application, you may still apply)
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be NPPV vetted or be willing to undergo NPPV vetting once in post.

What you’ll need:

If you are successful in reaching the online assessment centre (OAC) stage of the application process, you must be able to provide evidence of your level 3 or level 5 (or above) qualification by producing a valid certificate when asked at the start of your OAC. If you do not have copies of your qualifications, then you may be able to request them here.

Please note If you are providing evidence of your level 5 certificate, you must be able to provide a completed qualification certificate or an exit award where a full degree has not been completed, this must comprise of at least 120 credits (of which 120 must be attained at level 5), which is transferable to evidence a second-year study at university or equivalent. If your certificate does not state the level, or the number of credits attained at level 5, please check with the education provider who issued your certificate and provide written confirmation to support that you hold a valid qualification to present at the assessment centre. If you are not able to provide confirmation and it is later found that your qualification does not meet the requirements, your place could be withdrawn.

If you have not yet undergone your graduation ceremony or have not received your certificate at the time of the online assessment centre, you can instead provide a valid transcript from the university, as evidence or a letter confirming your pass mark from your education provider.

Pre-Employment Checks

If your application is successful, you will need to undergo and clear pre-employment checks, this also applies to existing employees of HMPPS and will include Enhanced level 2 vetting.

Once in post as a Trainee Probation Officer, as part of your role, you will be required access to the multi-agency ViSOR database, and you will therefore be required to complete the NPPV2 vetting process. Proof that you have been a resident in the UK for 3 years is required to complete NPPV2. If you do not successfully pass NPPV vetting, you will be unable to access the ViSOR database and may not be able to fulfil the full requirements of the role/complete the PQiP qualification/may be redeployed to another role. In the unlikely event where failure occurs, an internal investigation may be commissioned to understand the reasons for NPPV failure and/if where we can redeploy you. If this is not possible, we may be required to terminate your employment.

For pre-employment checks, including vetting and health checks, the onus is on candidates to provide correct and up to date documentation promptly when requested during the application process. Candidates who fail to engage with the pre-employment checks process early on, may not clear in time to join on the fixed start date.

The Probation service encourages applications from people with lived experience and we believe this makes a difference to our service user outcomes. A conviction does not necessarily mean you cannot become a Probation Officer. However, failure to disclose information will put an end to your application as we expect a high level of integrity from all those who we employ.

What we offer

You will be part of a supportive, diverse and friendly team, the perfect place to study towards your Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP). We will support and guide you through your studies, and we’ll give you the opportunity to make the most of your career as a Probation Officer. Upon successful completion of your PQiP training, you will qualify as a Probation Officer, and your office location will be allocated to you by the business.

During the PQiP application process, you will be asked to rank your preference of Probation Delivery Unit (PDU) within your chosen Probation region. This is the geographical area where your office will be located. Please ensure you are happy with the PDU preference you selected, as once your training begins, we may not be able to facilitate moves to other PDU’s or regions.

Talke are ongoing between the Probation Service and recognised trade unions on proposals to introduce a business need requirement which, subject to the outcome of those forthcoming talks, may result in a requirement for new PQiPs to remain within the region in which they have trained for at least two years post-qualification. As part of these proposals, we would ensure that compassionate or reasonable adjustment transfer continue to be considered in accordance with Probation Service Policy. If implemented, such criteria would not affect your right to apply for promotions during the period outside your region.

When you complete the programme, you will gain a Professional Qualification In Probation. Prior to qualifying you will be contacted to discuss your Probation Officer role offer. Depending on the level of vacancies available within your region you may need to go through a location preference exercise or need to apply to a role via fair and open recruitment. It is important to note the location of your job offer may not be where you complete your training in accordance with business need.

We abide by the Civil Service Code standards of behaviour.

Our recruitment processes are driven by the principal of fair and open competition leading to appointments based on merit (as outlined in Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles).

If you have any questions about the Civil Service Commission or our Recruitment Principals , we recommend contacting the Civil Service Commission directly.

If you feel we haven’t upheld these principals throughout your application and want to make a complaint, first contact the Ministry of Justice. If their response is unsatisfactory , contact the Civil Service Commission

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how er do this visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Additional Information

Disability Support

As a Disability Confident employer, the MOJ is committed to ensuring that everyone can demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities. Offering reasonable adjustments support to candidates when they apply for one of our jobs is just one way, we do this.

Before completing the online test or attending an online assessment centre, it is essential to arrange reasonable adjustments support. Due to logistical constraints, our assessors cannot accommodate requests on the day of the assessment centre, therefore, we kindly request that you let us know in plenty of time if adjustments are required. This will help ensure the right support is in place for you when you need it.

Applying for reasonable adjustment support has been made simple. Just select “yes “in the application form when it asks if you think you may need it.

Online Assessment Centres

Online assessment centres are scheduled to take place mid-April to May 2025. Please ensure you are available as it is unlikely there will be an alternative date. The assessment is half-day online event, and you will need access to a laptop or computer with a built-in webcam/built in camera and mouse. Assessments cannot be undertaken using a tablet, Chrome book or smartphone. You will be required to log in to an online candidate portal via a platform called Sova, to access your assessment materials and you will be required to join a virtual room with your camera on for the duration of your online assessment.

There may be the opportunity to undertake the interview in Welsh language, pending the availability of a Welsh speaking assessor.

This is a full time (37 hr week) post. There may some part-time learning placements available in your region for applicants who hold a level 5 qualification and are therefore eligible to be placed onto the graduate PQiP programme, but on a part time basis.

Learners who hold a level 3 qualification are not eligible to be placed on the PQiP learning programme on a part time basis.

The part time option requires a minimum commitment of 0.6FTE (22.2 hours) and 0.8 FTE (29.6 hours) maximum. The working days will not be fixed but there will be a requirement for learners to attend live University and Learning and Development events on their non-working days (if they fall on an NWD). The part-time PQiP course could take up to 30 months to complete.

If you are successful, you’ll be included in the allocations process. Allocations are based on merit from your assessment scores in conjunction with your PDU choices. Vacancies are based on business need. The PQiP university study begins twice yearly in March and September, although there may be an opportunity to join as a trainee Probation Officer before the course begins.

You may be allocated to a prison to undertake your trainee probation officer programme, and this may be a Public Sector Prison, or a privately run prison by secondment.

The location you are originally based at when you join the service may not be your final base due to transition work that our estates are undertaking over the next four years. As part of the Probation Reform Programme the Estates Programme is delivering a 4-year modernisation strategy. This will create sites which will be modern and create the right atmosphere for staff and service users and enable smarter working.

If you are not successful in the assessment process for the PQiP programme and you are deemed a near miss candidate, there may be an opportunity to join the probation service in a probation services officer role. To be considered for this alternative role, please tick the box on your PQiP application form, this does not guarantee we will be able to consider you, but it does let us know you’re interested should the opportunity arise. (not applicable for PSO’s or PF’s)

Please note that the Technical Requirements section of the attached JD is not applicable in this case, as this campaign is for PQiP trainee probation officers.

HMPPS welcomes applications from ex members of the armed forces, for further information visit the following link Career Transition Partnership.

You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.

Unfortunately, Due to the volume of candidates, and in line with wider policy, we are unable to offer individual feedback at the sift stage of the selection process. This process is aligned with feedback offered during the wider probation and prisons volume recruitment process.