Routes to becoming a Trainee Probation Officer (PQiP)
Last updated 25 May, 2022
The chart below outlines the three application routes for becoming a trainee probation officer (PQiP) including eligibility criteria, required qualifications and course length.
There are also some general questions & answers at the bottom of this page.
Recruitment material
| Eligibility Criteria | Be a directly employed PSO. Passed Probationary period.
No formal performance management or other procedures that remove from avenue of promotion. Have completed 6 months effective service as a PSO. Be up to date on mandatory learning. |
| Qualification Requirements
(see explanation of qualifications below) |
A level 3 or higher qualification (can include the VQ3 Diploma in Probation Practice or Level 3 Certificate in Probation Practice but doesn’t have to be) |
| Recruitment Process | Application Form.
Written Level 4 assignment for those without a Level 5 or above qualification. Assessment Centre comprising interview and written test. |
| Route Length | 15 months |
| Qualification Structure | Non graduates will complete the Level 5 DipHE in the 1st 6 months. Months 7-15 will be the Level 6 academic course. The VQ5 will take place throughout the qualification.
Graduates will not have to undertake the Full Level 5 DiPHE. |
Questions & answers about the PQiP programme
If I am not a current PSO but do have PSO experience can I still apply for the PSO Progression route
Yes, if your current role is not as a practicing PSO but you have previous PSO experience we will consider your application on a case by case basis.
What are level 3 and level 5 qualifications?
There are 9 qualification levels in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and they all represent higher education (HE) qualifications.
To be eligible to apply to the PQiP programme, you must hold a valid Level 5 qualification in one of the following:
- A diploma of higher education (DipHE)
- A foundation degree
- A higher national diploma (HND)
- A level 5 award
- A level 5 certificate
- A level 5 diploma
- A level 5 NVQ
If you are an existing Probation Services Officer (PSO) you must have a level 3 qualification from the list below:
- A level (grades A, B, C, D or E)
- Advanced subsidiary (AS) level.
- Level 3 awards, diplomas and certificates.
- Level 3 NVQ.
- Advanced apprenticeships.
- Tech level.
- Applied general.
I am currently working in prison as a Resettlement PSO with a salary of £24,801 but can see that the PQiP salary states £23,174. Would I take a cut in my salary or would my salary be met?
The pay stated in the job advert is the minimum point on the pay scale for Band 3. For candidates already employed as a PSO, but already further up the pay scale – you would not revert back to the minimum, but instead retain your current pay point on the scale until the next uplift.
What technology do I need for the assessment centre?
You will need a laptop or computer, with one of the supported operating systems and browsers listed below. You can’t use a phone, tablet, or Chromebook. Please also note that MOJ-issued laptops are not fully compatible with Zoom – you may be able to install Zoom on your MoJ-issued laptop but it will not work for all the functions required for the assessment.
Supported Operating Systems:
- MacOS X with macOS 10.7 or later
- Windows 7, 8, 8.1 or 10
- Windows Vista with SP1 or later, Windows XP with SP3 or later
- Oracle Linux 6.4 or later Browsers:
- Windows: Edge 12+, Firefox 27+, Chrome 30+
- Mac: Safari 7+, Firefox 27+, Chrome 30+
- Linux: Firefox 27+, Chrome 30+
If you are unsure which operating system you are running, instructions on how to identify this can be found through your search engine (e.g. google).
Visit https://zoom.us/ and click on “Sign Up, It’s Free” in the top right hand corner of the webpage. Follow the instructions on the webpage to sign up and download Zoom on to your laptop or computer.
You will need a webcam or built in camera for your laptop or computer. We recommend that you use earphones/headphones that have a microphone. Zoom will work with your laptop’s in-built microphone, but for the best user experience we recommend using earphones/headphones that have a microphone. We also recommend that if using a laptop, you use an external mouse rather than using the laptops trackpad / touchpad. The technology will work with a laptop trackpad / touchpad, but for the best user experience we recommend using an external mouse.
Once you have downloaded Zoom, we strongly recommend that you join a test meeting before you attend your online assessment centre. This will give you the opportunity to understand what the Zoom interface looks like, and will also allow you to test your microphone, speakers, and camera in advance of the online assessment centre. You can join a test meeting here: Join a Test Meeting – Zoom
Would I be in the same office whilst training?
Locations are based on business need; therefore, it is not guaranteed that you will be placed in your current office.
Once I complete the course would I then be a fully qualified Probation Officer?
Yes, upon completion of PQiP you will be a qualified probation officer and will be eligible to apply for a qualified probation office role.
After qualification can we stay in our current location as a PO as we are already existing staff?
Once fully qualified you are free to apply for any vacant Probation officer roles, we however cannot guarantee that there will be one available in your current office as this is based on business need.
Do we have a graduation ceremony at the end?
Yes, you will take part in a graduation ceremony upon completion of your PQiP training.
Is there a use by date for a PQiP qualification - will it expire?
No, there is not currently an expiration timeframe for the PQiP qualification.