Accommodation Support Officer

Overview

Bath and North Somerset PDU are looking to recruit an Accommodation Support Officer, which sits under the Probation Service Officer job description. The role can be based in either Bath or North Somerset Probation Office and covers both sites with travel between them expected as part of the role.

Responsibilities

• Support Probation Practitioners to complete referrals to identify suitable accommodation for People on Probation, including Duty to Refer submissions to local authorities, referrals to local housing providers, and Public Protection Accommodation Protocol (PPAP) referrals.
• Engage with the regional Homeless Prevention Team, identify cases for review at weekly meetings, and provide updates on behalf of Practitioners.
• Liaise with local authorities, housing advisors and accommodation providers; provide accommodation support and advice to Practitioners.
• Attend multi-agency meetings where appropriate and engage with outreach services where appropriate.
• Manage a caseload of offenders (in line with PS policies) and contribute to risk management and reporting as part of offender management tasks for low to medium risk cases.

Role Context and Expectations

The job holder will undertake the full range of work with people on probation before and after sentence, including assessment, sentence implementation, offender management and producing reports. You will assess and manage risk to protect victims and the public, while supporting offenders with practical housing and employment advice and empathetic, pro-social engagement.

Qualifications and Skills

• You do not need a degree for this role. The preferred profile includes empathy, patience and resilience, with good written skills and the ability to produce clear and accurate reports under tight deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English (and Welsh where specified in Wales).
• Experience or capability in helping and supporting people who face social or personal difficulties, planning and coordinating work, and motivating behaviour change.
• Understanding of equal opportunities, diversity, risk management/risk assessment as it pertains to offenders, and the work of the Criminal Justice System and Probation Service.
• Knowledge of Addiction and Housing issues, and the ability to work with a range of people with diverse needs.

Professional Behaviours and Standards

• Civil Service Behaviours: Making Effective Decisions; Developing Self and Others; Working Together; Delivering at Pace; Communicating and Influencing; Managing a Quality Service.
• Health and Safety awareness and safeguarding responsibilities consistent with PS and agency policies.
• Commitment to equality and inclusion in line with PS policies.

Other Requirements

• Occasional out-of-hours work may be required (e.g., Courts, Approved Premises, programmes, evening reporting).
• Hybrid working arrangements may be available where business needs allow; selection will consider location and base site.
• Operational details: standard full-time hours are 37 per week; some roles may allow part-time or flexible working in line with policy.

Contractual and Recruitment Information

New entrants are expected to join at the minimum of the pay band. You may be asked to complete a Civil Service Judgement Test (CSJT) as part of the application process, with practice tests available. If successful in CSJT and application sift, you will be invited to interview. Strength in reporting and evidence of abilities will be assessed across the application and interview stages. For career progression and terms, information about pensions, annual leave, flexible working, and diversity & inclusion is provided by MoJ policies.

Benefits and Eligibility

• Salary starting around £26,475 (subject to pay band and policy).
• Annual leave: 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years, plus public holidays; pro-rata for part-time roles.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) through GMPF; information at www.gmpf.org.uk.
• Flexible and family-friendly policies, including options for reduced hours or job share; flexible benefits and childcare support information available.
• Disability and veteran-focused schemes, and redeployment opportunities where applicable.