A career at HM Inspectorate of Probation is varied and challenging. As an inspector or assistant inspector, you will be part of a team working to improve probation and youth justice services through professional and rigorous assessment.
You will help us to build up a picture of each service by conducting interviews and focus groups with senior leaders, staff and service users; analysing samples of cases and other sources of data; and writing/contributing to inspection reports. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to thematic inspections that address key national issues.
Take a look at our current vacancies below.
What makes a good inspector?
When we recruit an inspector, we’re looking for three key things. Firstly, we need people with experience. Secondly, people skills so that they can build rapport with services and be a good representative and, thirdly, we need curiosity – people who are curious about how other services do things, are keen to learn and take things back to their own home organisations.
Why consider working for the Inspectorate?
A secondment with the Inspectorate is a great way to develop your career and to develop your own organisation as well. You’ll get work on a wide range of inspections across England and Wales and take that knowledge back to your organisation and for your own learning as well.
Current vacancies
Short-term placement: Thematic inspection of electronic monitoring
We are offering a short-term secondment (up to eight weeks over five months) for an individual with detailed knowledge of electronic monitoring. You will join our inspection team to help plan, conduct, and report on inspection findings. The work will mostly be undertaken in two-week blocks. When not inspecting the candidate will return to their place of work.
We are looking for a collaborative professional with proven operational and strategic experience in:
Electronic Monitoring (placement starts March 2026; fieldwork April–July 2026)
What you’ll gain:
- Hands-on experience of inspection
- Insight into thematic inspections and national practice
- Opportunities to highlight effective practice and influence improvements in service delivery
We value diversity and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.
For further details of the post, including the application and selection procedure, please see the attached information below.
Travel: Required within England and Wales, with overnight stays
Closing date: 5pm, Tuesday 06 January 2026
Contact:
- Noreen Wallace, Lead Inspector – noreen.wallace@hmiprobation.gov.uk | 07967 792256
- Helen Davies, Head of Thematic and Joint Inspection – helen.davies@hmiprobation.gov.uk | 07919 490420
Please email your name, email address and the position you are interested in (for example, HM Inspector or HM Assistant Inspector) to HMIProbationCareers@hmiprobation.gov.uk (E-mail address).
For data protection purposes, we only require the above details and no other information is requested, or will be held.
Our vacancy requirements are determined by business needs, so please don’t worry if you do not hear from us immediately after registering. We will be in touch the next time we recruit