Probation service officer
Service Care Solutions
Location: HMP Doncaster
Duration: Approximately 12 Months (Maternity Cover)
Hours: Full-Time
Salary: £22.89 ltd per hour (umbrella rate) or £15.00 PAYE approx. equivalent
The Opportunity
We are currently recruiting for experienced Probation Service Officers (PSOs) to join teams based at HMP Doncaster and HMP Humber on fixed-term contracts of approximately 12 months to provide maternity cover.
This is an excellent opportunity for criminal justice professionals to play a key role in the assessment, management and rehabilitation of individuals within the probation system. The successful candidates will undertake a full range of offender management responsibilities, supporting individuals before and after sentencing while contributing to public protection and reducing reoffending.
Key Responsibilities
As a Probation Service Officer, you will:
- Manage a caseload of individuals assessed as presenting a low to medium risk of harm and provide support to Probation Officers in higher-risk cases.
- Undertake assessments, sentence implementation activities and offender management responsibilities.
- Contribute to the development and delivery of Risk Management Plans, reporting any significant changes relating to risk, safeguarding concerns, reoffending behaviour or non-compliance.
- Prepare reports and documentation for courts, criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.
- Provide information, advice and recommendations to criminal courts and partner agencies.
- Supervise individuals subject to community orders, suspended sentence orders and those transitioning from custody into the community.
- Maintain accurate records and case management information using relevant IT systems within agreed timescales.
- Make effective referrals to internal and external services, ensuring individuals receive appropriate interventions and support.
- Liaise with offender managers, intervention teams, prison staff, service providers and external agencies to monitor progress and manage risk.
- Conduct prison, home and community visits in accordance with service policies and procedures.
- Undertake court-based work, including report writing and breach proceedings where required.
- Deliver and co-facilitate accredited programmes and structured interventions where appropriate.
- Carry out mandatory alcohol and drug testing in line with operational requirements.
- Fulfil safeguarding responsibilities relating to children and vulnerable adults in accordance with statutory guidance and organisational policies.
- Demonstrate positive role modelling by promoting pro-social behaviour and challenging anti-social attitudes and behaviours.
- Support colleagues and provide operational cover across teams when required.
- Experience working within criminal justice, prisons, probation, social care, safeguarding, housing, substance misuse services, mental health services, youth offending services, or another related support environment.
- Strong understanding of risk assessment, safeguarding and professional boundaries.
- Experience managing caseloads, supporting vulnerable individuals, or coordinating support plans.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to build effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders and service users.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
- Competent IT skills and experience maintaining accurate records and documentation.
- A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Previous experience working directly with offenders, people on probation, or within a criminal justice setting would be advantageous but is not essential.
- Experience of offender management, rehabilitation, resettlement, safeguarding or risk management.
- Experience preparing reports or assessments.
- Knowledge of HMPPS, probation services or prison-based offender management processes.
- Experience delivering structured interventions, programmes or support services.
The successful candidates will be resilient, organised and committed to supporting rehabilitation while maintaining a strong focus on public protection. You will be confident working with a diverse range of individuals and able to exercise sound professional judgement when managing risk and safeguarding concerns.
Additional Information
- These positions are fixed-term contracts for approximately 12 months to provide maternity cover.
- Opportunities are available at both HMP Doncaster and HMP Humber.
- Some flexibility may be required, including occasional out-of-hours working depending on operational needs.
- Successful applicants will be required to undergo relevant prison security clearance and pre-employment checks.
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