15321 - Specialist Probation Practitioner – NSU East Midlands

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

This permanent full‑time Specialist Probation Practitioner role in the NSD East Midlands sits at the intersection of national security and public protection, with a salary of £44,100 to £46,000 and a base location that can be negotiated while requiring travel across the division. You will directly manage Terrorism ACT, SOC and critical public protection cases in custody and community settings, operating under enhanced national standards with intensive multi‑agency collaboration and twice weekly contact. You must be a qualified Probation Officer with PQF Level 5 Diploma or equivalent, plus proven skills in risk assessment, OASys, MAPPA, and high‑quality reporting to courts and Parole Board; SC level security clearance and NPPV2 vetting are mandatory. Highlight concrete examples of managing high‑risk offenders, applying evidence‑based practice and building multi‑agency partnerships, and tailor your application to the Behaviours: Working Together, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing. Be prepared for a 15‑minute pre‑interview activity and staged assessments, and to travel with hybrid working where feasible. Closing date is 13 March 2026; for details contact Sadie Howard.

---

General Information

Salary £44,100 - £46,000 Working Pattern Full Time Vacancy Approach External Location Derby, Leicester, Lincoln, Nottingham Region East Midlands Closing Date 13-Mar-2026 Business Unit AGY - NOMS Agency Post Type Permanent Civil Service Grade Other Number of jobs available 1 Reserve List 12 Months Job ID 15321

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Probation Service Band 5 - Specialist Probation Practitioner – NSU East Midlands

This is a specialist role within the National Security Division (NSD). 

The NSD Specialist Probation Practitioner is required to manage people on probation (PoP) who are Terrorism ACT convicted, Terrorism ACT risk, Critical Public Protection Cases or Serious Organised Crime and pose serious and widespread risk. Management of this cohort is subject to enhanced national standards and intensive co-working with external agencies.

The NSD Specialist Probation Practitioner is required to provide specialist additional monitoring and contact to those assessed as posing a specific risk of further extreme offending which would cause serious and widespread harm. The NSD Specialist Probation Practitioner is required to do this through liaison with specialist external agencies and have oversight of targeted risk reduction work and intervention. The case load managed by the NSD Specialist Probation Practitioner poses a national security threat and high media profile.

The NSD Specialist Probation Practitioner reports to the NSD Senior Operational Lead.

Summary       

The job holder will be expected to be a subject matter expert, directly managing counter terrorism, SOC and CPPC cases. The case load will be made specifically of cases who fall within this remit. 

This work will take place in custody and community settings, as well as in multi- agency environments. The postholder will need to undertake additional specialist training to undertake certain roles, and be security cleared to SC level. 

The postholder is required to cover a caseload across the entire divisional area, this will involve travel by car or public transport.  Managing cases of high and very high risk of serious harm which fall under the categories mentioned above. This cohort will be supervised to enhanced national standards, meaning twice weekly contact and additional monitoring alongside regular liaison with external agencies and interested parties.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties 

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

• Release planning for TACT, TACT connected/risk, complex cases, critical public protection and Serious Organised Crime cases using enhanced national standards.
• Specialist case management including completion of OASys, response plans, trigger plans, EMS protocols, sentence planning and parole preparation and attendance as well as MAPPA referrals and attendance.
• Appropriate and effective sharing of information and risk and specific briefings, including briefing approved premises staff, DDP mentors, Police, Prison and CTSPP staff to ensure all professionals are aware of risk levels and relevant information. Ensuring sensitive information is shared handled and stored appropriately.
• Building and maintaining multi agency working relationships with external agencies and partners, crucial to appropriate and effective management of this cohort. Agencies will include but are not limited to DDP mentors, CTP, AP staff, children’s services, Local Policing. Job holders are required to have an awareness of these agencies’ cultures and processes and be adept at working with people on probation who have a history of splitting professionals.
• Specialist support, advice and guidance to staff on all aspects of TACT/TACT connected and Terrorist risk offender management within APs and staff working in other settings and agencies e.g. mental health, children’s services.
• Provide professional advice and assessment, including written reports to courts, the Parole Board, other criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.
• Undertake prison, home or other alternate location visits as required. This involves travel by car or public transport across the whole allocated division. There will also be the need to cover other divisions during significant events or staffing issues.
• Carry out safeguarding children and vulnerable person duties in accordance with the PS statutory responsibilities and agency policies.
• Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing prosocial behaviour and attitudes, and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes where people on probation may hold and share significant exclusionary and discriminatory views and can potentially pose an increased risk to the PP.

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 the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.

Behaviours    

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

Experience

• Experience of working with a wide variety of people who have experienced a range of social/personal difficulties, both individuals and groups, in order to motivate and change offending behaviour.
• Substantial direct experience of working with people who have committed offences and are viewed to pose a high or very high risk of serious harm to others.
• Substantial experience with a proven record of good practice in a variety of settings (including offender risk assessment and management) as a Probation Officer.
• Understanding of the role of the Probation Service in the Criminal Justice System and in a multi-disciplinary setting.
• Experience of risk management and assessment, understanding of multi-agency risk assessment and management procedures.
• Experience of creating and submitting high level risk management and parole reports.
• Experience of proactively championing diversity and inclusiveness both internally and externally.
• Demonstrable achievements in managing/supporting change and effecting improvements in quality and efficiency.

Technical

You must hold a Probation Officer qualification or be a qualified Probation Officer. In addition, successful candidates must hold the following:

• PQF Honours Degree/Graduate Diploma and Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice; or
• Diploma in Probation Studies; or Diploma in Social Work (Probation option); or CQSW (Probation option)
• Knowledge and understanding of the work of the Criminal Justice System and the Probation Service.
• A working knowledge of relevant legislation and National Standards.

Knowledge of Evidence Based Practice and risk/needs assessment tools.

There will be a requirement of travel attached to this role. The base office location can be negotiated to a Probation Office within the East Midlands region on appointment. 

Level 7 qualification is not currently available – pending review.

Additional Information

**NPPV2 vetting is a requirement for this role. The successful applicant will need to clear NPPV2 vetting before commencing in post. **

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 Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ’s 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 with the 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 holidays. Leave 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 www.gmpf.org.uk 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

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

Support

• A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices.  You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets 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 Commission's recruitment 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 (0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [email protected]);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team ([email protected]);
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

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 the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

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:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

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 Candidates can contact Sadie Howard via email: [email protected] for further information / discussion of role in advance of applying. 

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [email protected]

Please quote the job reference 15321

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [email protected]

Please quote the job reference 15321

Job Description Attachment

• PS JES 0113 NSD Specialist Probation Practitioner JD v1.0.pdf (Job Description Attachment) Download | Preview | Open in a new tab Close preview

Select new file

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours A sift based on the lead behaviour, Working Together, 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 Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace Making Effective Decisions Managing a Quality Service Working Together Evidence of Experience Statement of Suitability Technical Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit 250 You must hold a Probation Officer qualification or be a qualified Probation Officer.
In addition, successful candidates must hold the following:
• PQF Honours Degree/Graduate Diploma and Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice; or
• Diploma in Probation Studies; or Diploma in Social Work (Probation option); or CQSW (Probation option)
• Knowledge and understanding of the work of the Criminal Justice System and the Probation Service.
• A working knowledge of relevant legislation and National Standards.
Knowledge of Evidence Based Practice and risk/needs assessment tools.

Kindly confirm whether you possess the required experience and credentials.
Specific qualification requirements You must hold a Probation Officer qualification or be a qualified Probation Officer.
In addition, successful candidates must hold the following:
• PQF Honours Degree/Graduate Diploma and Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice; or
• Diploma in Probation Studies; or Diploma in Social Work (Probation option); or CQSW (Probation option)
• Knowledge and understanding of the work of the Criminal Justice System and the Probation Service.
• A working knowledge of relevant legislation and National Standards.
Knowledge of Evidence Based Practice and risk/needs assessment tools.

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates To Be Confirmed Behaviours Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace Making Effective Decisions Managing a Quality Service 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.

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used? Other 1 Other - Assessment Title 1 There will be a 15 minute activity before the interview which will be scored. Level of security checks required DBS Standard Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)

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 action.  Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.