People across London 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.

People come from all walks of life to form one team in the Probation Service. 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 with a dynamic environment where no day is the same, while having an amazing chance to help build safer places to live.

HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is already seeing people moving into 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.

The number of people working in probation in London has increased in the last twelve months. Currently there are 2,241* people working in Probation Service roles, and over the last year the region welcomed 97 new joiners.

Some of those people have come forward to support the recruitment campaign, and encourage other people to consider roles like theirs.

Laura Flint, Community Payback Officer from North London, said:

“To do the job of a Community Payback Supervisor well you need people and relationship building skills but you are also given training and support to help with this. I’m incredibly passionate about my role, it excites me to think I’m playing a part in supporting people to improve their lives.”

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. Part of this includes active involvement in Community Payback projects, such as a recent nationwide beach clean initiative, organised in partnership with the Marine Conservation Society. This month, offenders have been clearing tonnes of glass, litter and plastic from the British coastline, giving back over a thousand hours of work, while contributing to and improving their local communities.

HMPPS is looking to fill a number of roles including probation service officers, case administrators, receptionists, Community Payback supervisors and Community Payback placement coordinators. The Probation Service works with over 240,000 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.

2023 data shows that 2,300+ people from a range of backgrounds have started a role in the Probation Service between June 2022 and June 2023*. 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 available London currently include Case administrators, Probation services officers, Community Payback supervisors and Community Payback placement coordinators.

Applications for all probation service roles are open now: https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/agency/probation-service/

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.

You can register your interest now

Overview of the probation officer role

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.