PS Job Description (JD)
PS Band 4
Directorate: Probation Service
Job Description: Probation Officer
Document Ref.
PS-JES-0032 Probation Officer v8.0
Document Type
Management
Version
8.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
24 February 2023
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Job Evaluation Asurance and Support Team
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
PS-JES-0032 Probation Officer v8.0
PS Job Description
Job Title
Probation Officer
Directorate
Probation Service
Band
4
Overview of the job
Post holders will undertake the full range of offender management tasks with people
on probation under supervision including assessment, sentence implementation and
producing reports; utilising service procedures and practice directions to underpin
professional judgement.
Summary
To assess and manage the risk posed by people on probation to protect victims of
crime and the general the public by:
• Providing information and advice to criminal courts, other criminal justice
agencies and partner organisations.
• Supervise people on probation 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 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 undertake.
The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential
nature of the information handled whilst working in this position.
Responsibilities,
Probation Officers may be required to undertake any combination, or all, of the
Activities & Duties
duties and responsibilities set out below.
• To provide professional advice and assessment, including written reports to
courts, the Parole Board, other criminal justice agencies and partner
organisations.
• To undertake the full range of offender management tasks with people on
probation assessed at all levels of risk of serious harm including high and
very high.
• To use computer based systems to produce, update and maintain records
and other documentation within agreed timescales.
• To ensure timely and effective referrals to, and relationships between,
offender management, court teams, victim contact units, interventions,
Approved Premises, prisons and external agencies to enhance positive
outcomes, manage risk and reduce reoffending.
• To attend professional meetings and represent the PS at appropriate
partnership forums e.g. MAPPA, MARAC.
• To work collaboratively with colleagues, maintain effective team
relationships and provide professional guidance and support to Probation
Services Officers (PSOs) and other staff as appropriate.
• To provide cover within your team and to other teams as required.
• To undertake prison, home or other alternate location visits 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.
• To work within the aims and values of PS and HMPPS.
PS-JES-0032 Probation Officer v8.0
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
Essential Experience
• Experience of working with a wide variety of people who have experienced a
range of social/personal difficulties.
• Experience of working with diverse communities including promoting equality
and valuing diversity.
• An understanding and appreciation of equality.
• Experience of working with individuals and groups in order to motivate and
change offending behaviour.
• Experience of working with people who have committed offences.
Technical
You must hold a Probation Officer qualification or be a qualified Probation Officer.
requirements
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).
• Knowledge and understanding of the work of the Criminal Justice System and the
Probation Service.
• A working knowledge of relevant legislation and National Standards.
• Knowledge of Evidence Based Practice and risk/needs assessment tools.
Ability
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-0032 Probation Officer v8.0
Success Profile
Strengths
Behaviours
It is advised strengths
Ability
Experience
Technical
are chosen locally,
recommended 4-8
Making Effective Decisions
Experience of working with a wide
You must hold a Probation Officer
variety of people who have
qualification or be a qualified Probation
experienced a range of
Officer
social/personal difficulties
Changing and Improving
Experience of working with diverse
PQF Honours Degree/Graduate
communities including promoting
Diploma and Level 5 Diploma in
equality and valuing diversity.
Probation Practice; Or Diploma in
Probation Studies; or Diploma in
Social Work (Probation option); or
CQSW (Probation option)
Working Together
An understanding and appreciation
Knowledge and understanding of the
of equality
work of the Criminal Justice System and
the Probation Service
Delivering at Pace
Experience of working with
Knowledge of Evidence Based Practice
individuals and groups in order to
and risk/needs assessment tools.
motivate and change offending
behaviour
Communicating and Influencing
Experience of working with people
A working knowledge of relevant
who have committed offences
legislation and National Standards
PS-JES-0032 Probation Officer v8.0