HM Inspectorate of Probation
Advert and job description
Assistant Inspectors - (3 roles)
These posts are available on two-year secondments/loans or a fixed term contract of up to two years.
When joining us on a secondment, remuneration (salary and any taxable allowances), pay progression and employment terms & conditions will be the same as currently received from the seconding employer. Due to recruitment rules, we can offer current civil servants a secondment of two years with a possibility of an extension to three years. For successful candidates who do not currently work for the civil service (for example staff working for local government/local authority) we can offer a two-year secondment or a fixed term contract. When joining on a fixed term contract the salary will be £41,463.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspectorate of probation and youth justice services in England and Wales. We promote excellence in these services.
If applying for a secondment, you should confirm with your employer that, in principle, they are willing to second you before you apply for these posts.
Successful candidates will be allocated a notional office base, as close to their home location as possible, for the purposes of travel and subsistence, but in practice we are flexible in terms of where in the country you wish to work from.
About these roles
are you a probation officer, senior probation officer, YJS officer, YJS Team Manager or an operational manager (in a youth or adult setting)?
are you looking for a role that is interesting, challenging and makes a difference?
Assistant Inspectors (AIs) play a key role in HM Inspectorate of Probation’s inspections of adult and youth justice work. During inspection visits they examine and assess the quality of practice carried out by frontline staff, against HMI Probation’s published inspection standards.
The Inspectorate is committed to learning and development for all staff. During your first year with us, you will be required to complete and pass our internal training programme, which focuses on developing the skills and knowledge needed to undertake high quality inspection practice. You will receive ongoing feedback and support as you develop your professional skills.
About you
AIs must:
have experience of working within or close to probation or youth justice services (in a youth or adult setting)
have experience of assessing quality of performance against a specified set of standards
have the ability to communicate clearly and concisely and provide feedback to others in a sensitive and constructive manner.
The inspection programme for AIs is demanding yet rewarding and while we are delivering a hybrid model of inspection (with some inspection activity conducted remotely and some on-site) you may still need to work away from home for a significant amount of time. At times, this may involve being away from home up to three weeks out of four.
We strongly encourage you to contact us for a discussion and to ask any questions - these conversations will be confidential and will not count towards your application (see contact details at the end of the advert).
AIs who have completed secondments with us have gone on to take middle manager and quality development roles in the criminal justice sector.
A current AI said:
“This is the only job I’ve done so far in my career where I’ve been afforded the opportunity to really reflect on how to actually improve practice…"
The option of part‑time or job-share contracts can be discussed individually.
Selection process
You must complete your application by no later than 23:55 on Friday 13 June 2025.
We will invite short-listed candidates to an assessment centre, which will be conducted remotely on Wednesday 23 or Thursday 24 July 2025. Candidates MUST be available to attend on one of these days, we are unable to offer alternative dates.
Candidates who are successful at the assessment centre will be invited to an interview based on a blend of behaviours and strengths. Interviews, which will be conducted remotely, will take place the week commencing 11 August 2025.
We recruit using the Civil Service Success Profiles https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles
Further information on the structure and expectations of our assessment centre process will be sent to candidates who are successful through the application sift stage.
About us and contacts
We warmly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic and/or Welsh speaking candidates.
We are particularly interested to hear from candidates who have experience in youth justice practice.
Our vision
High-quality probation and youth justice services that change people’s lives for the better.
Our purpose
HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of probation and youth justice services in England and Wales. We set the standards that shine a light on the quality and impact of these services. Our inspections, reviews, research and effective practice products provide authoritative and evidence-based judgements and guidance. We use our voice to drive system change, with a focus on inclusion and diversity. Our scrutiny leads to improved outcomes for individuals and communities.
Our values
Influential: We care about making a positive impact on the organisations we inspect and the individuals they work with.
Independent: We ensure that the judgements we make are supported by evidence, are fair and impartial.
Professional: We work in a respectful, transparent, professional way, listening to and sharing learning internally and externally.
Inclusive: We work as ‘One HM Inspectorate of Probation’, valuing and respecting each other’s viewpoints and skills, so that everyone feels a part of what we do.
Diverse: We are passionate about diversity and the value that comes through giving everyone a voice in our inspections and the chance to succeed in our organisation.
Read more about our vision, mission and values on our website: About us - HM Inspectorate of Probation
If you would like to discuss these posts, please contact HMIP.Enquiries@hmiprobation.gov.uk, marking your email ‘AI recruitment May 2025.
Gall ymgeiswyr sy'n siarad Cymraeg gysylltu â Helen Davies ar 0791 949 0420 os ydynt am drafod y swydd yn Gymraeg. Cysylltwch â corporate@hmiprobation.gov.uk os hoffech gael yr hysbyseb hon a'r disgrifiad swydd yn Gymraeg. Marciwch eich e-bost “Cais am Gyfieithiad Cymraeg - AI".
Welsh speaking applicants can contact Helen Davies on 0791 949 0420 if they wish to discuss the position in Welsh. Please contact corporate@hmiprobation.gov.uk if you would like this advert and job description in Welsh. Please mark your email “Request for Welsh Translation - AI".
We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all staff. We will not discriminate on grounds of gender, ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, faith or any other factor not relevant to a person's work.
Key requirements of the role
Work as part of HMI Probation’s team of inspection staff by undertaking assessments of front-line practice, including observation of interventions being delivered
Provide accurate and concise written feedback to lead inspectors on individual cases
Provide feedback to individual case managers/ responsible officers about their work
Lead and facilitate meetings of staff groups and service users
Contribute to HMI Probation’s work on policy areas, based on inspection findings
Undertake work on joint inspection programmes, working collaboratively with colleagues from other Inspectorates
Deliver training to probation and youth justice staff on how to assess practice, using HMI Probation’s inspection standards
Provide briefings to HMI Probation staff on specified subject areas
Represent the organisation at external meetings
Recognise and promote diversity issues in all aspects of work
Undertake other work as allocated by HM Chief Inspector
Person Specification - Success Profiles
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Behaviours |
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Changing and Improving Work with others to identify areas for improvement and simplify processes to use fewer resources. Use technology where possible to increase efficiency. Encourage ideas for change from a wide range of sources. Clearly explain the reasons for change to colleagues and how to implement them, supporting individuals with different needs to adapt to change. Encourage an environment where colleagues know that they can challenge decisions and issues safely. Take managed risks by fully considering the varied impacts changes could have on the diverse range of end users. |
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Making Effective Decisions Understand your own level of responsibility and empower others to make decisions where appropriate. Analyse and use a range of relevant, credible information from internal and external sources to support decisions. Invite challenge and where appropriate involve others in decision making. Display confidence when making difficult decisions, even if they prove to be unpopular. Consult with others to ensure the potential impacts on end users have been considered. Present strong recommendations in a timely manner outlining the consideration of other options, costs, benefits and risks. |
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Communicating and Influencing Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner - choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact. Encourage the use of different communication methods, including digital resources and highlight the benefits, including ensuring cost effectiveness. Ensure communication has a clear purpose and takes into account people’s individual needs. Share information as appropriate and check understanding. Show positivity and enthusiasm towards work, encouraging others to do the same. Ensure that important messages are communicated with colleagues and stakeholders respectfully, taking into consideration the diversity of interests. |
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Working Together Encourage joined up team work within your own team and across other groups. Establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders. Collaborate with these to share information, resources and support. Invest time to develop a common focus and genuine positive team spirit where colleagues feel valued and respect one another. Put in place support for the wellbeing of individuals within the team, including consideration of your own needs. Make it clear to all team members that bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable. Actively seek and consider input of people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. |
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Delivering at Pace Show a positive approach to keeping the whole team’s efforts focused on the top priorities. Promote a culture of following the appropriate procedures to ensure results are achieved on time whilst still enabling innovation. Ensure the most appropriate resources are available for colleagues to use to do their job effectively. Regularly monitor your own and team’s work against milestones ensuring individual needs are considered when setting tasks. Act promptly to reassess workloads and priorities when there are conflicting demands to maintain performance. Allow individuals the space and authority to meet objectives, providing additional support where necessary, whilst keeping overall responsibility. |
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Ability |
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IT Skills You are confident and competent in the use of Information Technology (e.g. you have experience using Word, Excel, Outlook, a reasonable amount of case management software, etc.). |
Essential |
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Verbal and Written Communication Skills You can communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in written format in order to support others’ understanding. Provides feedback to others in a sensitive and constructive manner. |
Essential |
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Experience |
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Quality Assurance You have experience of assessing quality of performance against a specified set of standards. |
Essential |
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Work Experience You have experience of working within or close to probation (youth or adult). |
Essential |
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Technical |
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Professional Qualification You have a professional qualification in Probation (adult or youth). You have a related professional qualification in a relevant occupational area e.g. social work |
Desirable |