Receptionist - Newham Probation temp

Receptionist / Administrative Support Officer - Probation Service

Location: Newham Probation Office, London - 5 days on site.
Pay Rate: £14.91 per hour
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm (37 hours per week, with one evening shift per week from 1:00pm-8:00pm)
Contract: Temporary assignment until 31/03/2027
Employer: Brook Street Recruitment on behalf of HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS)

Brook Street are currently recruiting for a Receptionist / Administrative Support Officer to join the Probation Service in Newham.

This is a varied and rewarding frontline role where you will be the first point of contact for visitors, staff, partner agencies, and people on probation. You will play a key role in ensuring the safe, professional, and efficient operation of the office while providing high-quality administrative and customer service support.

The successful candidate will be confident dealing with a wide range of people, able to handle sensitive information professionally, and comfortable working in a busy public sector environment.

• Welcoming visitors and managing reception duties in a professional manner
• Booking in visitors, issuing passes, and notifying staff of arrivals
• Responding to telephone, email, and face‑to‑face enquiries
• Supporting the day‑to‑day administration of the office
• Managing incoming and outgoing post, deliveries, and office supplies
• Maintaining accurate records and updating internal databases
• Processing travel warrants and supporting petty cash procedures
• Booking meeting rooms and assisting with office coordination tasks
• Supporting health and safety procedures, including fire and security checks
• Handling confidential and sensitive information in accordance with data protection requirements
• Identifying and escalating safeguarding, security, or risk concerns where appropriate

• Previous administration and/or customer service experience
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure
• Professional, resilient, and able to deal with challenging situations appropriately
• Experience working within a public sector, criminal justice, or customer‑facing environment would be advantageous

Successful candidates will be required to undergo SSCL vetting and pre‑employment checks, which can take up to six weeks to complete.

Brook Street is proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant and guarantees to interview all candidates who are veterans or spouses/partners of military personnel, and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy.