Receptionist - Probation Service (NPS)
Pay: £12.86 per hour
Booking Number: (phone number removed)
Contract Until: 31/03/2026 (potential to extend, not guaranteed)
Working Hours: Full-time, office-based
Location:
W12 9AX
(PDU Hammersmith, Fulham, Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster - MOJ HMPPS)
About the Role
We are recruiting a Receptionist to join the Probation Service (PS) Directorate within HMPPS. This role is essential in providing a professional first point of contact for visitors and people on probation, while delivering a wide range of administrative support duties to ensure the smooth running of the office.
You will work closely with operational teams, support colleagues during absences, and uphold confidentiality, equality, and high professional standards at all times.
Please note: Core hours may include some unsocial hours (evenings/weekends) depending on business needs.
A full client-side vetting process is required for this role and takes approximately 6 weeks.
Key Responsibilities
Reception & Front-of-House Duties
Greet people on probation and visitors professionally (in person, by phone, and via email).
Log arrivals/departures, notify relevant staff, and issue visitor passes/security fobs.
Use tact and awareness to help de-escalate challenging situations and identify safeguarding concerns.
General Administration
Handle enquiries and provide basic information about the Probation Service and local support services.
Refer more complex enquiries to the appropriate manager.
Manage incoming/outgoing mail, PPE and stationery orders, deliveries, meeting room bookings, and event setup.
Finance & Logistics
Pay bus fares/travel warrants to people on probation.
Manage petty cash and transport of petty cash/travel warrants between Probation properties.
Building Safety & Security
Act as a key holder and assist with physical building security.
Conduct fire alarm/panic alarm testing, monitor CCTV, support evacuation procedures, and perform Fire Warden/First Aider duties (training provided).
Log and escalate building faults, assist contractors, and maintain repair/maintenance records.
Administrative Case Support
Support operational teams with confidential administrative tasks when required, including:
Updating manual and digital case files
Using MS Office applications
Producing documents and correspondence
Accessing and inputting data
Scanning and archiving sensitive materials
Essential Requirements
Strong ICT skills across Microsoft Office applications
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
GCSEs (A-C or equivalent) in Maths and English
Desirable Skills & Experience
Experience in the criminal justice field
Experience in high-pressure environments
Customer service experience
IT qualifications (e.g., ECDL/CLAIT) or equivalent experience
Eligibility
All candidates must pass security and identity checks.
External candidates will complete a 6-month probation period.
All staff must declare membership of any groups/organisations considered racist by HMPPS.
If you're organised, professional, and passionate about supporting public services, we'd love to hear from you.
Brook Street is proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant and as such, we guarantee to interview all candidates who are veterans or spouses/partners of military personnel, and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy.
As a Disability Confident Leader, and holder of the Gold Award status from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, Brook Street, as a supplier to the Public Sector Resourcing Framework (PSR), will offer you a guaranteed interview with a PSR Sourcer.
Should you identify as a candidate with a disability and/or as a veteran or spouse/partner of military personnel and meet all the essential criteria for the role, we encourage you to reach out to us via the Brook Street website. Here you will find a link to register your interest and state the role that you are interested in. We are committed to engaging with you.
In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates/military spouses/partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, Brook Street will interview the best candidates from within that group