Statutory Guidance: Core probation roles and qualification requirements
This guidance sets out the key minimum qualifications required to perform core probation roles.
- From:
-
HerHMMajesty’sPrison and Probation Service PublishedPublished:- 30 March 2022
- Last updated:
- 24 September 2026 — See all updates
Applies to England and Wales
Documents

Statutory Guidance: Executive Summary
ODT, 213 KB
This file is in an OpenDocument format
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Request an accessible format.
format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a
version of this document in a more accessible format, please email hmppscommunications@justice.gov.uk.
Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.



Details
The Probation Service plays a critical, challenging role in public protection and reducing reoffending, managing a diverse offender cohort encompassing offenders assessed as posing a low risk of harm through to those who pose the highest risk to the public. Given the important, demanding nature of the organisation’s work, it is essential that staff in core Probation Service roles either directly managing offenders and the risk they pose, or directly supervising and signing off such work, are equipped with the necessary qualifications to fulfil their challenging remit.
This guidance builds on various strands of work undertaken by HMPPS, by setting out the key minimum qualifications required to perform core probation roles.
Updates to this page
Published 30 March 2022
Last updated 24 September 2026
—
Show all updates
-
Updated the Statutory Guidance: Core probation roles and qualification requirements.
-
Added translation

Statutory Guidance: Executive Summary
ODT, 213 KB
This file is in an OpenDocument format
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Request an accessible format.
format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a
version of this document in a more accessible format, please email hmppscommunications@justice.gov.uk.
Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
ODT, 213 KB
This file is in an OpenDocument format
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Request an accessible format.
format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a
version of this document in a more accessible format, please email hmppscommunications@justice.gov.uk.
Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.



Details
The Probation Service plays a critical, challenging role in public protection and reducing reoffending, managing a diverse offender cohort encompassing offenders assessed as posing a low risk of harm through to those who pose the highest risk to the public. Given the important, demanding nature of the organisation’s work, it is essential that staff in core Probation Service roles either directly managing offenders and the risk they pose, or directly supervising and signing off such work, are equipped with the necessary qualifications to fulfil their challenging remit.
This guidance builds on various strands of work undertaken by HMPPS, by setting out the key minimum qualifications required to perform core probation roles.
Updates to this page
Published 30 March 2022
Last updated 24 September 2026
—
Show all updates
-
Updated the Statutory Guidance: Core probation roles and qualification requirements.
-
Added translation
Details
The Probation Service plays a critical, challenging role in public protection and reducing reoffending, managing a diverse offender cohort encompassing offenders assessed as posing a low risk of harm through to those who pose the highest risk to the public. Given the important, demanding nature of the organisation’s work, it is essential that staff in core Probation Service roles either directly managing offenders and the risk they pose, or directly supervising and signing off such work, are equipped with the necessary qualifications to fulfil their challenging remit.
This guidance builds on various strands of work undertaken by HMPPS, by setting out the key minimum qualifications required to perform core probation roles.
Updates to this page
-
Updated the Statutory Guidance: Core probation roles and qualification requirements.
-
Added translation