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20714 Senior Probation Officer Birmingham Courts

Ministry Of Justice


Job Location:

Birmingham - UK

Monthly Salary: £ 46746 - 48760
Posted: 2 August 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 30 October 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

General Information
Salary
46746 - 48760
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
Internal
Location
Birmingham
Region
West Midlands
Closing Date
14-Aug-2026
Business Unit
NMS PDU Birmingham Courts and Centralised Functions
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Other
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
20714
Descriptions & requirements
Job description

Job Title:Senior Probation Officer

Directorate:National Probation Service

Band:5

Overview of the job

This is a management role within the National Probation Service (NPS).

The Senior Probation Officer supports the Head of Operational Function to provide management and a leading role within a Local Delivery Unit (LDU) or other operational unit.

Summary

The job holder will be expected to manage and lead staff within the operational area to the required standard and will offer support and cover to other teams/functions during periods of line with NPS policies and procedures the job 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.

If relevant to the role some out of hours working may be required

ResponsibilitiesActivities & Duties

Senior Probation Officers may be required to undertake any combination or all of the duties and responsibilities set out below.

  • To provide effective management and leadership to the team
  • To be accountable for the quality delivery of good practice and team performance improvement within policy and national standards
  • To ensure that all team resources including interventions are deployed cost effectively and provide best value in terms of both budget control and realising the organisations strategic aims
  • To ensure that staff can efficiently and effectively meet the requirements of the NPS contract with HMPPS Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRC) and local business plans as required
  • To access interpret analyse and apply performance data pro-actively in order to maximise LDU/team performance evaluate practice and deliver organisational aims
  • To proactively manage staff development issues of underperformance attendance health and safety employee relations and diversity matters. Adopt a consistent fair and objective standpoint when making decisions in relation to individual staff issues
  • To ensure that offender managers manage risk appropriately and meet all public protection standards and targets
  • To contribute directly to public protection through multi-agency arrangements and individual casework review discussion and feedback
  • To promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement to service delivery
  • To manage financial resources for your area of responsibility as required by your Head of Operational Function and in line with HMPPS financial regulations and policies. To authorise expenditure within financial limits
  • In accordance with the business plan to provide a leading role and direction in work with partners and key stakeholders and represent the NPS as appropriate to the role
  • To facilitate effective communication between the LDU/Operational Unit management team and internal and external partners
  • To play an active part in the corporate management of the NPS as necessary as a member of the LDU/Operational Unit Management Team
  • To undertake specific areas of responsibility as delegated by the Head of Operational Function.
  • Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes
  • Carry out safeguarding children duties in accordance with the NPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies
  • To 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 alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under Job Evaluation and shall be discussed in the first instance with the Job Holder.

Behaviours

  • Working Together
  • Developing Self and Others
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Leadership

Essential Experience

  • Substantial experience with a proven record of good practice in a variety of settings (including offender risk assessment and management) as a
  • Understanding of the role of the Probation Service in the Criminal Justice System and in a multi-disciplinary setting.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the factors which influence engagement with victims
  • Experience of risk management and assessment understanding of multiagency risk assessment and management procedures
  • Evidence of ability to evaluate practice
  • Evidence of ability to provide a practice perspective on policy development
  • Experience of working under pressure and fulfilling demanding deadlines
  • Experience of working flexibly as a member of a team to achieve performance targets
  • Experience of contributing to the provision of effective administration and information systems
  • Demonstrable achievements in managing/supporting change and effecting improvements in quality and efficiency
  • Able to demonstrate well developed IT skills including evidence of ability to interpret and apply performance reports
  • Experience of proactively championing diversity and inclusiveness both internally and externally
  • Ability to implement the services health and safety policies

Probation Officer or from working within another criminal justice agency or related work contextAn ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh

Technical requirements

  • 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 following qualifications gained in England and Wales were previously recognised as providing such eligibility:
  • Diploma in Probation Studies
  • Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)
  • CQSW (with Probation Option)
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 Hybrid Working will not suit everyones 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 aMoJoffice location which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJs terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on modernised terms in their current post or onto unmodernised MoJ terms if they are on unmodernised terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time flexible and job-sharing working patterns where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance withthe HMPPS Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years service plus public for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis

Pension

The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF).Please visit for further information.

Please note: Any current Civil Servant who is a member of the PCSPS by accepting an offer of employment to the National Probation Services will be opted out of the PCSPS and auto enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin employees with disabilities employees with caring responsibilities women employees and lesbian gay bisexual and transgender.

Eligibility

Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.

Vacancies advertised cross-government are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners rules.

Support

Working for the Civil Service

TheCivil Service Codesets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commissionsrecruitment principles.Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

  • To Transformative Business Services (0(Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail);
  • To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team();
  • To the Civil Service Commission (details availablehere)

As a Disability Confident employer MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills talent and abilities by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition please watch our animated videos.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Planand theCivil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme to providing opportunities to those who are at risk of redundancy.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information
MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail

Please quote the job reference20714

HMPPS:

If you require any assistance please call 0 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail

Please quote the job reference20714

Job Description Attachment
Select new file
Application form stage assessments
Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour Managing a Quality Service may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift your application will be progressed to a full sift where all behaviours will then be considered.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Managing a Quality Service
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Changing and Improving
Developing Self and Others
Working Together
Interview stage assessments
Interview Dates
Expected August/Sept 2026
Behaviours
Managing a Quality Service
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Changing and Improving
Developing Self and Others
Working Together
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.
Level of security checks required
DBS Enhanced

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application however all examples and statements provided must be truthful factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others or generated by artificial intelligence as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary see ourcandidate guidancefor more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.


Required Experience:

Senior IC


About Company

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