Probation Officer Returner Scheme
SKILLS
FULL DESCRIPTION
This scheme is open to former, qualified probation officers who have left the Civil Service within the last five years. It offers a fast-track return to the service with no lengthy application form or interview. Applicants must meet eligibility criteria, including holding a Probation Officer qualification and having completed their probationary period.
General Information
Salary £35,130 - £42,000
Working Pattern Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach External
Location National
Region North East
Closing Date 25-Sep-2026
Business Unit NPS North East Public Protection (2021)
Post Type Fixed Term, Permanent
Civil Service Grade Other
Number of jobs available 25
Reserve List 12 Months
Job ID 16377
Descriptions & requirements
Job description
This is a rolling campaign; applicants cannot reapply within a six-month period.
This scheme is open to former, qualified probation officers who have left the Civil Service within the last five years.
If you are a former qualified probation officer who has left the Civil Service less than 5 years ago, and have completed your probationary period and training, we would like you to consider returning to the Probation Service and joining your former colleagues, to keep the public safe and rehabilitate people on probation.
Should you meet the eligibility criteria, and your application is accepted by the Probation Service, we can offer you a fast-track return to the service with no requirement to undertake a lengthy application form, interview and repeat any entry level training or assessment process.
When considering applications, we take into account a range of relevant factors such as business need, location availability and previous employment history.
We will contact you to discuss your potential work base location, subject to passing pre-employment checks.
Please note: Former civil servants do not have the right to return. It is at the discretion of the Probation Service whether to reinstate former civil servants. This Returners Scheme utilises Exception 5 of the Recruitment Principles, which provides a mechanism for former civil servants to return, without necessarily going through fair and open competition again.
Further information can be found here: Home - Civil Service Commission (independent.gov.uk)
If you have left the service more than 5 years ago, please visit Current vacancies – Prison and Probation Jobs for all our current vacancies.
If you are not yet ready to re-join at this time, you can still be part of our Probation Alumni Network to be kept up date on the latest developments for probation returners. Click here to register to the Probation Alumni Network.
Eligibility:
Civil Service Exception 5 terms are as follows:
Former civil servants who were previously appointed on merit on the basis of fair and open competition may be re-appointed (to a permanent or fixed-term appointment) within a maximum of five years of leaving the Civil Service.
Civil Servants can return to a role that is the same grade as when they left, or lower.
Civil servants cannot return on promotion under Exception 5.
Civil Servants can return within 5 years of leaving their last post.
There is no right of return for any individual, this is a matter of business need in the relevant civil service organisation.
This offer is open to all former qualified probation officers subject to meeting the eligibility criteria and who have left the Civil Service:
Through resignation or retirement in the last 5 years and who, before leaving, had successfully completed their probationary period.
Options for working arrangements and contract:
During the application process, you'll need to choose a probation region. If your application meets the eligibility criteria, we'll subsequently get in touch with you to talk about your designated work base
Please only indicate preferences where you are prepared to work. We will therefore endeavour to offer you a vacancy within a 60-minute commute of your home location.
The following options are available:
Full or part-time either permanent or temporary contract –temporary contracts are available for three, six or nine months.
Flexible contractual terms.
For temporary contract appointments:
We are offering temporary contracts on a three, six- or nine-month basis with the opportunity to extend the contract up to a maximum of two years, should you wish to do so and if there is a continuing requirement for your services.
As a temporary member of staff, you will receive the full range of Civil Service benefits other than permanent tenure. You will be automatically enrolled for pension although you may opt out. You will be entitled to 25 days' leave per annum, pro rata.
Pre-employment checks:
You will be subject to pre-employment checks, including an Occupational Health Review, and security vetting which all successful candidates are required to pass. The level of security checks required is Enhanced Level 2, including DBS Enhanced.
Once in your role, you will require access to the multi-agency ViSOR database, and you will therefore be required to undertake Non-Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) Level 2.
This is routine and will apply to anyone who has been absent from the service for more than 28 days.
Training:
At the point of return, an individualised training needs analysis will be completed to identify training that has been completed and to schedule any relevant training that is required.
Full time salary:
£35,130
Higher starting salaries (in line with current policy) can be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Benefits
To find out more about the fantastic benefits HMPPS has to offer please click here: Why work for HM Prison and Probation Service? – Prison and Probation Jobs
Additional Information
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 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 Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [contact hidden]);
To [Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk] Resourcing ([contact hidden]);
To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. 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 SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.
Contact Information
If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [contact hidden].
Job Description Attachment
NPS-JES-0032 Probation Officer v8.0 (1).pdf (Job Description Attachment)
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Application form stage assessments
Technical
Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit 250
To be eligible to apply for this role 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).
Specific qualification requirements
To be eligible to apply for this role 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).
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 action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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