PS Job Description (JD)
PS Band 3
Directorate: Probation Service
Job Description: Probation Services Officer
Document Ref.
PS-JES-0031 Probation Services Officer v6.0
Document Type
Management
Version
6.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
08 February 2023
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Job Evaluation Asurance and Support Team
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
PS-JES-0031 Probation Services Officer v6.0
PS Job Description
Job Title
Probation Services Officer
Directorate
Probation Service
Band
3
Overview of the job
The job holder will undertake the full range of work with people on probation before
and after sentence. This will include assessment, sentence implementation, offender
management and producing reports. The job holder will provide case management
support to a full range of people on probation utilising service procedures and
practice directions that underpin professional judgement.
Summary
To assess and manage the risk (including risk management plans and escalation)
posed by people on probation to protect victims of crime and the general public by:
• Liaising, providing information and advice to criminal courts, criminal
justice agencies and other partner agencies.
• Supervise and manage risk of those people on probation subject to
community sentences, during and after custodial sentences.
• Work with other agencies and groups to prevent crime and meet the
needs of victims and people on probation.
In line with PS policies and procedures, the job holder must at all times demonstrate a
commitment to equality and inclusion and an understanding of their relevance to the
work they do.
The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential
nature of the information handled whilst working in this position.
If relevant to the role, some out of hours working may be required (i.e. Courts,
Approved Premises, programmes, evening reporting etc.).
Responsibilities,
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities
Activities & Duties
and duties:
• To undertake the full range of offender management tasks with people on
probation assessed as low or medium risk of harm and to support the
Probation Officer grade in high risk cases.
• When providing case manager support, to contribute to the delivery of the
Risk Management plan and report significant changes relating to risk of harm
and/or of reoffending or any non‐compliance within agreed enforcement
procedures.
• To use computer based systems to produce, update and maintain records
and other documentation within agreed timescales.
• Ensure effective referrals to services and facilities and communicate with
offender management staff, interventions staff, service providers and
external agencies to review progress and associated risks.
• To undertake prison, home or alternate location visits as required in
accordance with service procedures and policies.
• To undertake work in the court setting, including the completion of
appropriate reports on cases and prosecution of breaches.
• To provide cover within teams as required.
• To deliver and co-lead accredited programmes commensurate with grade.
• To conduct mandatory alcohol and drug tests as required, and to follow
prescribed medication procedures.
• Carry out safeguarding children duties in accordance with the PS statutory
responsibilities and agency policies.
• Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social
behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes.
PS-JES-0031 Probation Services Officer v6.0
• To work within the aims and values of PS and HMPPS.
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not
intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable
alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant
adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall
be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.
An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium
of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.
Behaviours
• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
Strengths
It is advised strengths are chosen locally, recommended 4-8.
Ability
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with people on probation,
professionals, courts and other public fora.
Experience
• Experience of working with a diverse range of people who have experienced a
range of social/personal difficulties and the need to use tact and discretion when
dealing with confidential and sensitive issues
• Experience in planning and coordinating work
• Experience of working with groups or individuals in order to motivate and
change behaviour
• An understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities and diversity good
practice
• Understanding of factors related to offending e.g. substance misuse,
accommodation issues and being able to emphasise constructively with a range
of people
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles of case management
• Knowledge and understanding of risk management/risk assessment as pertaining
to offenders and the impact on victims of crime
• Understanding of Health & Safety legislation in the workplace
• Knowledge and understanding of the work of the Criminal Justice System and
Probation Service
• Knowledge of the aims and objectives of the Probation Service
Technical
• The ability to evidence high level numeracy and literacy skills required to read,
understand and interpret policies and the ability to write reports and
correspondence for internal and external stakeholders or minimum 5 GCSEs at
Grade C or above, including English, Maths
Minimum Eligibility
Please do not alter this box
• All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up
post.
• All external candidates are subject to 6 months’ probation. Internal
candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a
probationary period within HMPPS.
• All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or
organisation which HMPPS consider to be racist.
Hours of Work
(Unsocial Hours)
Allowances
PS-JES-0031 Probation Services Officer v6.0
Success Profile
Strengths
Behaviours
It is advised strengths
Ability
Experience
Technical
are chosen locally,
recommended 4-8
Making Effective Decisions
Ability to communicate
Experience of working with a
The ability to evidence high
verbally and in writing with
diverse range of people who have
level numeracy and literacy
people on probation,
experienced a range of social/personal
skills required to read,
professionals, courts and
difficulties and the need to use tact and
understand and interpret
other public fora.
discretion when dealing with
policies and the ability to write
confidential and sensitive issues
reports and correspondence for
internal and external
stakeholders or minimum 5
GCSEs at Grade C or above,
including English, Maths
Changing and Improving
Experience in planning and coordinating
work
Working Together
An understanding of and commitment to
equal opportunities and diversity good
practice
Delivering at Pace
Experience of working with groups or
individuals in order to motivate and
change behaviour
Communicating and Influencing
Understanding of and commitment to
the principles of case management.
Knowledge and understanding of risk
management/risk assessment as
pertaining to people on probation and
the impact on victims of crime
Understanding of Health & Safety
legislation in the workplace
Knowledge and understanding of the
work of the Criminal Justice System and
Probation Service
PS-JES-0031 Probation Services Officer v6.0
Knowledge of the aims and objectives of
the Probation Service
Understanding of factors related to
offending e.g. substance misuse,
accommodation issues and being able
to emphasise constructively with a range
of people
PS-JES-0031 Probation Services Officer v6.0