The Provision of Agency Operational Workers for the Probation Service

This requirement is to support the Authority (Ministry of Justice) and His Majesty's Prison & Probation Services (HMPPS) in the future delivery of temporary resources for Probation Services across England and Wales. The Probation Services is seeking a supplier(s) to provide qualified probation operational workers to address temporary staff shortfalls that could jeopardise the delivery of core business objectives. This may include covering periods of absence, in lieu of permanent recruitment or to manage temporary increases in work. Probation operational temporary staff include Probation Officers and Senior Probation Officers, both of whom must hold the relevant qualification for their role. Other key roles include Probation Services Officers, Victim Liaison Officers, and Unpaid Work Supervisors. All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post. The worker volume will fluctuate dependent on business need. HMPPS employee base is diverse and geographically dispersed across England and Wales. Temporary Probation workers may be based within one of the c.120 public or private prison establishments, c.170 courts, c.110 Probation Delivery Units, c.100 Approved Premises, or some are based within Council Buildings or Police Stations. Probation is divided into 12 Regions: London, South Central, Kent Surrey and Sussex (KSS) South West, East of England, West Midlands, East Midlands, Greater Manchester, Yorkshire and the Humber, North East, North West and Wales.

These services are currently being delivered by two providers and these contracts expire in October 2026 necessitating the need for a new contract(s).

The Indicative Competition timeline is as follows:

Invitation to Submit Tenders phase - 11/03/2026 to 24/04/2026 (extended)

Clarification Phase 11/03/2026 to 10/04/2026 (extended)

Evaluation and internal approvals 20/04/2026 to 12/06/2026

Contract Award 15/06/26

Contract Signature & Mobilisation 26/06/2026 – 30/10/2026

Bidders should note that the dates above are indicative and may be subject to change.