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

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 London there are 2,107* people working in Probation Service roles and in 2022 the region welcomed 250 new joiners. Some have come forward to support the recruitment campaign and encourage other people to consider roles like theirs.

Sundeep Chhachhi, probation services officer, aged 44, from London Bridge says:

“I decided to apply for the Probation Service because it gave me direct contact with people. Previously, I was working in commercial law and in a magistrate’s court, so I had a criminal law background. However, I soon realised, that I had more of a connection with offenders themselves and could offer more in this role. I believed I had the innate qualities to provide empathy to help people change whilst having the right balance to manage risk to help protect the public.

If you decide to join it could possibly be the best decision you have made so far in your life. Although challenges come with the job, it has given me so much on a professional and personal level, especially when it comes to being able to effectively communicate with people. If you are determined and focused on your own development then there is definitely scope to develop and progress your career working for the Probation Service. It can be very rewarding as you really feel like you are contributing to making communities safer.”

Probation Service staff support offenders 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 services 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 1% increase to 17% in the number of Probation Service staff from an ethnically diverse background compared to 16% 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 offenders 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 offenders 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://probationjobs.co.uk/

Through the trainee probation officer programme, candidates will gain a level 6 equivalent professional qualification upon completion, along with a competitive salary and generous leave. When you start your training, you’ll be a probation services officer, learning whilst earning 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. 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:

· Case administrators will be able to earn up to £25,210

· Probation service officers will be able to earn up to £31,650

· 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.