Ministry of Justice
Aylesbury · Posted 17 Oct 2026 · 11 applicants
Salary
£37,238 - £44,520
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Aylesbury, Bicester, Bracknell, High Wycombe, Milton Keynes, Oxford, Reading, Slough
Region
South Central
Closing Date
29-Oct-2026
Business Unit
NPS South Central Performance and Quality (2021)
Post Type
Fixed Term, Detached Duty, Loan
Civil Service Grade
Other
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
23303
Job description
Overview of the job
This is a specialist Probation Officer post, in which the post holder has specific responsibility to contribute to the development of excellence in the quality of work undertaken with offenders and victims in the National Probation Service (NPS).
The job holder will have no line management responsibilities.
Summary
The post holder will be part of the Divisional Performance and Quality team.
They will work in partnership with divisional /local managers, practice tutor assessors and operational staff to promote high quality work through delivery of quality assurance and improvement activities including: audit and analysis, practice workshops, coaching and providing support to colleagues.
In line with NPS policies and procedures, the post holder must at all times demonstrate a commitment to equality and inclusion and an understanding of their relevance to the work they do.
The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position.
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties
The post holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
Deliver quality assurance activities as part of the national effective practice programme, and review the impact of these activities on operational practice
Deliver practice improvement workshops and briefings to POs and PSOs, and review the impact of these on practice
Support the re-launch and deployment of Skills for Effective Engagement Development and Supervision (SEEDS)
Undertake audits of key work, provide analysis and feedback to staff and contribute to local improvement and quality plans.
Working in partnership with local managers, develop audit and improvement activities based on local and divisional need and evidence from audits, inspections and case reviews arising from e.g. serious further offences, domestic homicides, serious case reviews
Provide support to local managers in delivering improvement activities to staff in informal /formal capability processes. As agreed with line manager, provide focussed 1:1 support to POs and PSOs involved in formal capability process based on the improvement plans drawn up by line managers.
Work in partnership with local managers to plan and support quality improvement in their cluster/function
As agreed with local managers, provide coaching and support to groups of staff whose roles are changing
Play an integral role in the work of divisional performance and quality team in implementing the national performance and quality programme
Provide guidance and support to SPOs to undertake quality assurance work
Respond to risk escalation requests raised by Community Rehabilitation Companies, determine risk level and if high risk (endorsed by a manager) decide on how this will be managed
Carry out safeguarding children and safeguarding adult duties in accordance with the NPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies
Demonstrate and promote pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes
Work within the aims and values of NPS and HMPPS
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alternations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the Job Holder.
An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh
Behaviours
Changing and Improving
Making Effective Decisions
Developing Self and Others
Delivering at Pace
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Essential Experience
Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/ Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice.
Or a qualification which was recognised at the time of qualification by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007.
The following qualifications gained in England and Wales were previously recognised as providing such eligibility:
Hours of Work (Unsocial Hours) Allowances
37
Additional Information
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest...