Trainee Probation Officer - Professional Qualification in Probation London (Intake 17 - External Campaign)

HM Prison and Probation Service

Aug 13

Applications are closed

Internship
Full-time
Off-cycle Internship
London

Requirements

Level 3 Qualification
To be eligible for the non-graduate PQiP programme, you need to have a level 3 qualification (or higher) e.g. A Level, Advanced apprenticeship, AS Level, International Baccalaureate Diploma, Level 3 NVQ. A full list can be found on the website.
This will be a 27-month learning programme which will involve completion of a level 4 module and the required 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.
Level 5 Qualification
To be eligible to apply to the graduate PQiP programme, you must hold a valid Level 5 qualification, or above, such as an honours degree, a foundation degree, a diploma of higher education, a Level 5 vocational qualification or a higher apprenticeship. It doesn’t matter what subject your Level 5 qualification is in.
To be eligible for the 15-month PQiP programme, you need to have studied knowledge modules on 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.
If your level 5 qualification doesn’t include these subjects, you’ll most likely study the 21-month PQiP programme where you will complete the required knowledge modules and go on to study the required level 6 elements to qualify as a Probation Officer.
Please note: You must be able to provide a certificate for your qualification, this should be an award certificate for a completed qualification or a Level 5 exit award where the full qualification has not been completed. For the Level 5 the qualification 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 or it is later found that your qualification does not meet the requirements, your place could be withdrawn.
If you have not yet undergone your award ceremony or have still not received your certificate in time to present at the online assessment centre, you can instead produce a valid transcript as evidence, or a letter of confirmation of your pass mark from your education provider.
If you have previously started a placement on any PQiP programmes, and you are re-applying within 12 months of leaving the programme, your application needs to be agreed via the regional Probation Learning Lead.
Please refer to Skills and qualifications you need – Prison and Probation Jobs for minimum eligibility requirements.
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 require access to the multi-agency ViSOR database, and you will therefore be required to undertake Non-Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) Level 2.
Proof that you have been a resident in the UK for the last 3 years is required to complete the NPPV2 vetting process. 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 will 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.
All of our positions are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, which means all spent and unspent convictions are examined as part of the vetting process. As part of this, you must declare all convictions, cautions and absolute or conditional discharges – however long ago they occurred. More information is available here. This should not deter candidates with any criminal history from applying as all cases are always considered on their individual merits before a decision is reached.
The Probation Service encourages applications from people with lived experience and we believe this can make 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.
The jobholder must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English or (when specified in Wales) Welsh.

Responsibilities

- Providing information and advice to criminal courts, other criminal justice agencies and partner organisations
- Supervise offenders subject to community orders and licences and during custodial sentences
- Contribute to the management of risk
- Work with other agencies and groups to prevent crime and meet the needs of victims and offenders

FAQs

What is the salary for the Trainee Probation Officer position?

The salary for the Trainee Probation Officer position is £25,310 per annum.

What type of contract is being offered for this role?

The contract type being offered is permanent.

How many jobs are available for this position?

There are 25 jobs available for the Trainee Probation Officer position.

What working patterns are available for this role?

The role supports both full-time and part-time working patterns.

Where is this job located?

The job is located in London.

What qualifications do I need to apply for the non-graduate PQiP programme?

To be eligible for the non-graduate PQiP programme, you need to have a level 3 qualification or higher, such as A Level, Advanced apprenticeship, or Level 3 NVQ.

What does the training process entail?

The training process involves completing a 27-month learning programme, which includes knowledge modules and a Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice.

Will I be paid while studying for the Professional Qualification in Probation?

Yes, HM Prison & Probation Service fully funds the Professional Qualification in Probation programme and pays your salary throughout your studies.

What are the benefits included with this position?

Benefits include access to learning and development, flexible working options, annual leave of 25 days plus public holidays, and a Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%.

Are there any pre-employment checks required for this role?

Yes, successful candidates will need to undergo and clear pre-employment checks, including Enhanced Level 2 vetting.

HM Prison and Probation Service

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Mission & Purpose

The Prison and Probation Service in the UK is responsible for the management of prisons and the supervision of offenders in the community. Their ultimate mission is to protect the public by reducing reoffending and ensuring offenders are safely and securely managed. Their purpose is to support rehabilitation, provide opportunities for offenders to reform, and ensure they are prepared for successful reintegration into society. The service is committed to maintaining safety, security, and effectiveness in the criminal justice system.