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General Information

Salary
£46,746 - £48,760
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
London
Region
London
Closing Date
26-Jun-2026
Business Unit
London Probation Service
Post Type
Fixed Term, Detached Duty, Loan
Civil Service Grade
Other
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
18603

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

The London Probation Regional Training and Skills Development Department is being set up to shape, lead, and deliver an ambitious programme of learning, coaching, and practice support for probation staff across the region. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key leadership role in a high profile initiative, ensuring that learning is translated into safe, effective, and consistently high quality practice, and making a meaningful difference to both staff and the people we supervise.

This Regional Training and Skills Development Manager role provides operational leadership and assurance within the department. Postholders will be responsible for line managing coaches, assuring quality of delivery, and ensuring the department’s objectives are implemented consistently and effectively. The successful candidate will need to thrive under pressure, be flexible and proactive, and bring a professional and positive approach to a fast-paced environment.

Vacancy Overview

London Probation is establishing an ambitious London Regional Training and Skills Development Department to transform how staff are supported, developed and empowered across the region. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key leadership role in a high‑profile initiative, ensuring that learning is translated into safe, effective and consistently high‑quality practice, and making a meaningful difference to both staff and the people we supervise.

This Band 5 Manager role provides operational leadership and assurance within the department. Postholders will be responsible for line managing coaches, assuring quality of delivery, and ensuring the department’s objectives are implemented consistently and effectively.

This is an externally advertised role and is assessed under the Civil Service Success Profiles framework.

Role Summary

As a Band 5 Regional Training and Skills Department Manager, you will provide operational leadership for learning, coaching and practice‑support activity across designated areas of the London Region. You will ensure high standards of delivery, consistency and impact, and act as a key link between regional strategy and front‑line learning delivery.

You will line manage Learning and Skills Coaches, oversee quality assurance activity, and work closely with PDUs, Performance and Quality teams, Learning and Development Leads and senior leaders to ensure learning translates into improved probation practice.

Regular travel across the London Region is required.

Key Responsibilities

You will:

  • Provide operational leadership and line management to Learning and Skills Coaches within the department.
  • Ensure coaching, mentoring and learning activity is delivered in line with probation best-practice standards and regional learning priorities.
  • Undertake and oversee quality assurance of learning and coaching activity, providing feedback and driving improvement.
  • Work with line managers and PDUs to support learner progression and safe, effective practice.
  • Use performance data, assurance activity and feedback to monitor impact and identify learning needs or risks.
  • Contribute to operational governance arrangements and escalation of risks or concerns.
  • Support inspections, audits and assurance processes as required.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of delivery within the agreed framework.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

You must be able to demonstrate:

  • Probation Officer (PO) qualification
  • Experience of assuring quality and supporting others to improve practice.
  • Ability to manage staff performance, wellbeing and professional development.
  • Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise in a complex environment.
  • Confidence in working within structured governance and quality frameworks.

Desirable Criteria

  • Experience of learning, coaching or mentoring roles.
  • Experience of providing line-management
  • Understanding of workforce development and practice‑improvement approaches.

Civil Service Success Profiles – Behaviours

The following Success Profile behaviours are expected to be assessed:

  • Leadership
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Working Together
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Developing Self and Others

Additional Information

  • Location: London Region (regular travel required)
  • Grade: Band 5
  • Contract: 12 months with potential to become a permanent role
  • Professional requirement: Must hold Probation Officer qualification
  • Security Clearance: As required for the role

This role is suited to experienced Probation Officers or Senior Probation Officers who are motivated to strengthen practice quality and workforce capability through assured, high‑quality learning delivery.

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 TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

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.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
  • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.


Contact Information
 

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 18603

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 18603

Allowance

In addition this post attracts a London allowance payment for applicable locations which will be discussed at interview.

Application form stage assessments

Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
Statement of Suitability
Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
Please describe how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of this role. You should refer to the essential criteria outlined in the job description and provide examples to demonstrate your suitability
Evidence of Experience
Statement of Suitability
Technical
Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit
250
To be eligible for this role, you must confirm you meet the mandatory qualification requirements outlined below and you must also upload a
scanned copy of your qualifications.
Applicants that do not provide the mandatory qualification evidence, will not progress to interview stage.
Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/ Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation
Practice.
Or a qualification which was recognised at the time of qualification by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender
Management Act 2007.The following qualifications gained in England and Wales were previously recognised as providing such eligibility:
Diploma in Probation Studies,
Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option) CQSW (with Probation Option)
Specific qualification requirements
To be eligible for this role, you must confirm you meet the mandatory qualification requirements outlined below and you must also upload a
scanned copy of your qualifications.
Applicants that do not provide the mandatory qualification evidence, will not progress to interview stage.
Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/ Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation
Practice.
Or a qualification which was recognised at the time of qualification by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender
Management Act 2007.The following qualifications gained in England and Wales were previously recognised as providing such eligibility:
Diploma in Probation Studies,
Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option) CQSW (with Probation Option)

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 20th July 2026
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Developing Self and Others
Leadership
Managing a Quality Service
Working Together
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.
Level of security checks required
DBS Standard

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.