FAQ’s
What are the eligibility requirements for Parole Board members?
There are specific Professional criteria for the Specialist posts, which are as follows:
Psychologist Members
You must be registered with the Health Professions Council as a forensic practitioner psychologist. You will be asked to provide your Registration number, which will be verified
Psychiatrist Members
You must be registered with the General Medical Council as a Consultant Psychiatrist. You will be asked to provide your registration number, which will be verified.
Probation Members
You must be a serving probation officer, or chief probation officer.
Should you not meet this criteria then please apply as an Independant Member
Independent Members
We are genuinely open minded as to the background and experience.
Do I have to be a UK national to apply for these roles?
Yes. You should be resident in the UK for three years preceding the application for Parole Board member.
Is there an upper age limit?
No
Are Magistrates allowed to apply?
Yes. You should apply as an independent member unless you qualify for one of the specialist roles.
Can I apply if I have worked in the Criminal Justice System?
Yes. However if you are currently an employee of the Ministry of Justice (including Prison Service) you would need to resign from your post should you be successful and wish to become a member.
Can I become a member if I have a full-time job?
Yes you can and some of our current members have combined their work with the Parole Board with a full-time job. However, please do not underestimate the amount of work that is required, especially the reading and preparation for panels. It can be especially time-consuming for new members and the answer to the following question may prove helpful.
What will the time commitment be for the appointments?
This varies, depending on the role applied for.
Psychologist and Psychiatrist Members
Your minimum commitment would be 35 days a year - more if you can give the time. This includes preparation time for panels, which can be worked at home and in the evenings, to fit in with your other responsibilities.
Probation Members
You will be expected to offer a minimum of 50 days per year more if you can give the time. However, a large proportion of this includes preparation time, which can be worked at home and in the evenings, to fit in with your other commitments. You will be expected to attend panel hearings, which are held in London, at least once or twice a month. You will also be expected to attend the Parole Board annual conference. When more experienced in the role you may undertake oral hearings in your own region.
Independent Members
You will need to commit to an equivalent of 2.5 days work per week (115 days per year). Much of the work is background, including reading reports and drafting preparatory notes, which can be undertaken at home during the evening and at weekends. The amount of reading that is required in preparing for a panel should not be underestimated but most of our members have found that they get quicker with practice.
Over and above the time commitments to undertake panel work, there is an expectation that members will attend other Parole Board meetings including the Annual Conference, the Annual Lecture and Regional Development Days, for which a non-casework day fee is paid.
How much travel is involved?
Much of the work is background, including reading reports and drafting preparatory notes, which can be undertaken at home during the evening and at weekends. Members undertaking paper panels will need to travel to London two or three times per month. Oral hearings require a certain amount of travel mainly, but not exclusively, within a member's regional area.
Is this a fixed term appointment?
Yes. The appointments are for 3 years initially, with a further 3 years re-appointment subject to performance.
What if I am not sure if I have a conflict of interest?
We advise you to write down any potential conflict of interest, and we will discuss these with you if your application is progressed. For further information on this, please consult Public Appointments Probity and Conflicts of Interest: A Guide for Candidates.
Are the fees set?
Yes. The work is fee based. Click here for details
Does the Parole Board cover Scotland?
No. This particular Parole Board covers England and Wales only. Scotland and Northern Ireland each have a separate Parole Board.
What do I need to do to apply for a position as a Parole Board Member?
You will need to apply online via this site. Application is by application form only. The Commissioner for Public Appointments requires completed application forms from applicants applying for all Ministerial Public Appointments. You will not be required to include a copy of your CV. On the Application form, you will be asked to demonstrate your experience in the detailed essential criteria for the roles. Your application will be sifted against these criteria.
When is the closing date?
The closing date for this is 12 noon on 22nd March.
What happens if I am late sending my application form?
Late applications received will not be accepted without evidence that your application form was uploaded to this site on or before the closing date and time.
Only certain extenuating circumstances will be taken into consideration such as a serious health issue or bereavement. Being away on holiday, being abroad on business or being ill during part of the advertising process is not a valid reason for an extension to be requested.
When an extension has been requested on the grounds of extenuating circumstances this will be forwarded to the Commissioner for Public Appointments for his final decision.
Who do I contact if I need a copy of the Applicants Pack and Application Form in an alternative format?
If you require the information in an audio, Braille or large print format, please dial 0207 426 3995.
When will I know the outcome of the sift?
The sifting process will take place in March. You will be advised whether or not your application has been successful during w/c 5th April (subject to change). If your application is successful at this stage, you will be invited to an Assessment centre during w/c 12th or 19th April.
When will the Panel Interviews take place?
Interviews will provisionally take place throughout the weeks of 10th and 17th May.
Are the training dates flexible?
The training dates have been scheduled for 2nd – 6th August 2010 and are not flexible. If you are unable to attend the training dates, then you should not submit an application.
What is the role of the Commissioner for Public Appointments?
The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. An Independent Public Appointments Assessor, who is an expert in the appointments process, sits on the selection panels and is a full member of the panel. Their role is to offer independent scrutiny and underwrite the integrity of the whole appointments process. For further information on the role of the Commissioner please click on the link.
Will the general election have an impact on the appointments process?
Once the general election is called dependant on the date, we will be asked to delay the final interview process until we are given agreement to proceed by the Minister.
Do I need to use a computer?
Yes. Parole Board members will need to access information from an email system and from the internet. Communication tends to be via the computer and reports may have to be written and circulated in this way. You will be provided with a laptop computer, software and a secure e-mail link, but you will need to provide your own internet access.
What type of case work will the Members address?
The cases that the parole board members will review will cover a range of issues, many with graphic descriptions of serious, violent and sexual offences which some individuals may find offensive.
How do I ask a question about my eligibility or the application process?
Please email any queries/questions to and we will respond within 48 hours. Please note that this email address is for questions only, applications will not be accepted if sent via email.
