Approved Premises - Probation Services Officer; PSO

Overview

This PSO role is based within an Approved Premises, and remote or home working cannot be offered. Approved Premises (AP) are residential units, primarily for those who have been released on licence and who require a high level of supervision to manage the risk of harm they present to the public. The AP plays a key role in supporting the management of these offenders in their transition from custody into the community.

As part of your role as a PSO you will carry out keywork with the residents and engage with them in purposeful activities to assist their rehabilitation in the community.

Helping to keep the public safe. Giving people the chance to turn their lives around. Building a rewarding professional career. There are many reasons to join the Probation Service. What will yours be?

We’re looking for empathetic, patient, and organised people to join us in this varied role, which offers the chance to make a difference, gain new skills and build a rewarding career within the Probation Service.

If this sounds like you, apply now.

The job holder will undertake the full range of work with people on probation before and after sentence. This will include assessment, sentence implementation, offender management and producing reports. The job holder will provide case management support to a full range of people on probation utilising service procedures and practice directions that underpin professional judgement.

For further information on the summary, responsibilities, activities, duties of the role and the Civil Service Success Profile Criteria which will be used in the assessment process, please refer to the full Job Description Attachment.

You must have the right to work in the UK and Civil Service (the right to work details are provided as part of the recruitment process).

Starting salary for successful applicants is £26,475. The Probation Service offers the opportunity for annual pay progression through a Competency Based Framework (CBF), which, if eligible, will see your pay increase. New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. The Probation Service also increases pay band ranges annually in line with Civil Service Pay guidance, which may apply an increase to band pay ranges where applicable.

You must have the right to work in the UK and Civil Service nationality rules apply.

In accordance with current immigration rules, this role is not eligible for a new Skilled Worker visa. From 22 July 2025, changes to eligibility criteria mean HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) cannot sponsor new probation service officers unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa prior to the 22 July 2025 changes. If you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously, please raise this during pre-employment checks and eligibility will be assessed under the immigration rules and transitional provisions.

If you apply and have not held a Skilled Worker visa prior to 22 July 2025, you will need to consider options for maintaining your right to work in the UK. Ensure you have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom.

HMPPS will continue to comply with UK Immigration Rules and Civil Service requirements. Details about Skilled Worker visas and eligibility criteria are available in the guide.

Civil Service guidance on nationality rules related to recruitment applies.

By managing offenders in the community, the Probation Service protects the public from the effect of crime and gives offenders the chance to turn their lives around. Join us and you’ll be part of a supportive team that thrives on sharing knowledge and expertise.

Successful applicants may be based at a wide variety of office, court, team, or prison locations within the Probation Service region. Allocations will be made according to business need.