Probation Professional Register Policy Framework Guidance
Summary
The Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service have updated the Probation Professional Register Policy Framework, effective April 14, 2026. The framework establishes mandatory requirements for probation qualified staff in England and Wales regarding professional registration, professional standards, and loss of authority to practice. It supersedes Probation Instruction 31/2014 and applies to all staff employed in roles where the probation officer qualification is an essential job requirement.
What changed
The updated Probation Professional Register Policy Framework replaces Probation Instruction 31/2014 and sets out mandatory professional registration requirements for probation qualified staff in England and Wales. The framework applies to individuals employed in roles where the probation officer qualification is an essential requirement per their job description. Provisions regarding loss of authority to practice are mandatory under this policy framework.
Affected probation staff must ensure they maintain current registration and adhere to professional standards. Employing agencies should verify staff compliance with registration and renewal obligations. The framework applies to England and Wales only.
What to do next
- Maintain and renew probation professional registration as required
- Comply with probation professional standards and authority to practice requirements
Archived snapshot
Apr 15, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Guidance
Probation Professional Register policy framework
Rules and guidance for probation qualified staff around professional registration, probation professional standards and loss of authority to practice.
From: Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service Published 28 April 2023 Last updated 14 April 2026
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Applies to England and Wales
Documents
Probation Professional Register policy framework
PDF, 565 KB, 27 pages
Details
This policy framework sets out the requirements and guidance for probation qualified staff around professional registration, probation professional registration standards and loss of authority to practice.
If you are employed in a role where there is an essential requirement to have the probation officer qualification as set out in your job description you are required to maintain and renew your registration.
The provisions around loss of authority to practice as a probation officer are mandatory, in so much as this policy framework replaces Probation Instruction 31/2014.
Updates to this page
Published 28 April 2023 Last updated 14 April 2026 show all updates
1.
14 April 2026
Framework updated.
2.
30 September 2024
Updated Probation Professional Register policy framework.
3.
28 March 2024
Updated Probation Professional Register interim policy framework document. While this remains an interim policy, changes have been made to bring into scope those in roles where there is an essential requirement to hold the probation officer qualification as part of their job description and for whom registration will be mandatory on full implementation.
4.
28 April 2023
First published.
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