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General Information

Salary
£35,130 - £42000
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
31-Mar-2025
Business Unit
AGY - NOMS Agency
Post Type
Fixed Term, Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Other
Number of jobs available
100
Job ID
1515

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

National Probation Officer Returner Scheme

This is a rolling campaign; applicants cannot reapply within a six-month period.

This scheme is open to former, qualified probation officers who have left the Civil Service within the last five years.

If you are a former qualified probation officer who has left the Civil Service less than 5 years ago, and have completed your probationary period and training, we would like you to consider returning to the Probation Service and joining your former colleagues, to keep the public safe and rehabilitate people on probation. 

We can offer you a fast-track return to the service with no requirement to undertake a lengthy application form, interview or assessment process. Should you meet the eligibility criteria, and your application is accepted by the Probation Service.

When considering applications, we take into account a range of relevant factors such as business need/location availability and any concerns regarding an individuals' prior performance, conduct or attendance.

We will contact you to discuss your potential work base location, subject to passing pre-employment checks.

Please note: Former civil servants do not have the right to return. It is at the discretion of the Probation Service whether to reinstate former civil servants. This Returners Scheme utilises Exception 5 of the Recruitment Principles, which provides a mechanism for former civil servants to return, without necessarily going through fair and open competition again.

 Further information can be found here: Home - Civil Service Commission (independent.gov.uk)

If you have left the service more than 5 years ago, please visit Current vacancies – Prison and Probation Jobs for all our current vacancies.

If you are not yet ready to re-join at this time, you can still be part of our Probation Alumni Network to be kept up date on the latest developments for probation returners. Click here to register to the Probation Alumni Network

Eligibility:

Civil Service Exception 5 terms are as follows:

  • Former civil servants who were previously appointed on merit on the basis of fair and open competition may be re-appointed (to a permanent or fixed-term appointment) within a maximum of five years of leaving the Civil Service.
  • Civil Servants can return to a role that is the same grade as when they left, or lower. Civil servants cannot return on promotion under Exception 5.
  • Civil Servants can return within 5 years of leaving their last post.
  • There is no right of return for any individual, this is a matter of business need in the relevant civil service organisation.
  • Former civil servants may not be brought back at a higher grade than the substantive grade they were on when they left.

This offer is open to all former qualified probation officers subject to meeting the eligibility criteria and who have left the Civil Service:

  • Through resignation or retirement in the last 5 years and who, before leaving, had successfully completed their probationary period.

Options for working arrangements and contract:

During the application process, you'll need to choose a probation region. If your application meets the eligibility criteria, we'll subsequently get in touch with you to talk about your designated work base

The following options are available:

  • Full or part-time either permanent or temporary contract –temporary contracts are available for three, six or nine months.
  • Flexible contractual terms.

For temporary contract appointments:

We are offering temporary contracts on a three, six- or nine-month basis with the opportunity to extend the contract up to a maximum of two years, should you wish to do so and if there is a continuing requirement for your services.

As a temporary member of staff, you will receive the full range of Civil Service benefits other than permanent tenure. You will be automatically enrolled for pension although you may opt out. You will be entitled to 25 days' leave per annum, pro rata.

Pre-employment checks:

You will be subject to pre-employment checks including Occupational Health Review and you will undergo and clear pre-employment checks which will include Enhanced Level 2.

Once in 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.

This is routine and will apply to anyone who has been absent from the service for more than 28 days.

Training:

At the point of return, an individualised training needs analysis will be completed to identify training that has been completed and to schedule any relevant training that is required.

 Full time salary: 

  • £35,130 + London allowance of £4,249 for London, Staines, and Watford base location where applicable.
  • Higher starting salaries (in line with current policy) can be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Benefits 

To find out more about the fantastic benefits HMPPS has to offer please click here: Why work for HM Prison and Probation Service? – Prison and Probation Jobs

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.  

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS’ Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service, plus public holidays. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis

Pension

The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF).  Please visit www.gmpf.org.uk for further information.

Please note: Any current Civil Servant who is a member of the PCSPS, by accepting an offer of employment to the National Probation Services will be opted out of the PCSPS and auto enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

Eligibility

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices.  You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please see our Disability Confident Scheme Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

Diversity & Inclusion

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.

Contact Information
If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com.
Allowance

Following locations (where applicable) attract a London allowance of £4,126.

  • London
  • Staines
  • Watford 

Application form stage assessments

Technical
Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit
250
To be eligible to apply for this role you must hold a Probation Officer qualification or be a qualified Probation Officer.
In addition, successful candidates must hold the following:
• PQF Honours Degree/Graduate Diploma and Level 5 Diploma in Probation
Practice; or
• Diploma in Probation Studies; or Diploma in Social Work (Probation option); or
CQSW (Probation option).
Specific qualification requirements
To be eligible to apply for this role you must hold a Probation Officer qualification or be a qualified Probation Officer.
In addition, successful candidates must hold the following:
• PQF Honours Degree/Graduate Diploma and Level 5 Diploma in Probation
Practice; or
• Diploma in Probation Studies; or Diploma in Social Work (Probation option); or
CQSW (Probation option).
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability 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.