Recruitment drive in Kent for probation service roles

1. Local workers back campaign to fill Probation Service roles from case administrators to trained probation officers
2. Vital range of roles helping to protect the public and support rehabilitation of people on probation 
3. Open to a range of applicants, with career switchers welcomed

People in Kent are being urged to consider job opportunities in the Probation Service as HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) launches a recruitment drive in the region. 

The new roles are open to a wide range of applicants, from those starting out to those with wider life or work experience. The roles are ideal for those looking for a rewarding career where they can both motivate and inspire others to change for the better, and build safer places to live.

HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS is already seeing people moving in to the sector from retail and hospitality with many recent new joiners also quitting office jobs for a more rewarding role in the service. The campaign hopes to inspire others to consider making the switch.

Currently in Kent, Surrey and Sussex there are 1,019* working in Probation Service roles and in the year Oct 21-Sept 22 the region welcomed 176 new joiners. Some have come forward to support the recruitment campaign and encourage other people to consider roles like theirs.

Shauna Gardner, aged 25, from Maidstone: 

“I first joined the Probation Service as a case administrator within a prison. I really enjoyed the work and was temporarily promoted to the role of a prison offender manager. I’ve since secured a role as a probation service officer I now work within the Intensive Intervention Risk Management Service, supporting people on probation with personality disorders and mental health conditions. The role has its challenges and can be unpredictable at times as you are working with complex people, but is one of the most rewarding jobs and truly allows me to give back to my community. If you are an empathetic and understanding person and interested in supporting people to get their lives back on track, this could be a career for you.”

Probation Service staff support people on probation on their rehabilitation journey, helping them to make better life choices and reducing the chances they will re-offend.

HMPPS is looking to fill a number of roles including probation service officers, case administrators and trainee probation officers. The Probation Service works with over 230,000 people on probation serving community sentences and individuals who are pre or post-release from prison. Roles within the service help to support their rehabilitation and protect the public. 

2022 data on the diversity of the Probation Service shows a 2% increase to 17% in the number of probation service staff from an ethnically diverse background compared to 15% in 2020. HMPPS is continuing to build on this work to attract a wave of recruits who are even more representative of the community they serve.

All roles are challenging and rewarding, with great training, support and opportunities for progression. Specific roles currently include: Case administrators play a key role, using their great organisational and communication skills to support their probation colleagues and help people on probation turn their lives around. Eligibility requirements for the role include strong communication skills (verbal and written) and good IT and keyboard skills.

Probation services officers undertake the full range of work with people on probation before and after sentence, and in the community – including, assessments, sentencing and managing people throughout their probation period. Eligibility requirements for the role include a minimum C-grade GCSEs or equivalent, or relevant work experience including sufficient writing skills

Applications to become a case administrator or probation services officer are open now: https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/agency/probation-service/?utm_source=fc&utm_medium=maidstone-media&utm_campaign=pspr_jan23&utm_content=sg_kss

There is also a call out for people with empathy and resilience who are interested in training to become probation officers. Through the training programme, candidates will gain a professional qualification, along with a competitive salary and generous leave. When you start your training, you’ll be a probation services officer, learning on the job and studying to gain your fully funded Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP). Eligibility requirements for the role include a Level 5 qualification, or above, such as an honours degree, a foundation degree or a diploma of higher education.

Applications to train to be a probation officer will open soon but you can register your interest now  https://www.traintobeaprobationofficer.com/apply/

A three year pay award guarantees increases in all Probation Service pay bands each year for the next three years.  By the end of the multi-year pay deal: 

1. Case administrators will be able to earn up to £25,210 
2. Probation service officers will be able to earn up to £31,650 
3. Qualified probation officers will be able to earn up to £42,000 

Career benefits of working in the Probation Service include progression, training, support, a good pension and generous annual leave allowance. 

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact [email protected]