Senior Probation Officer - Pennine Lancashire in Accrington

This is a management role within the National Probation Service (NPS). The Senior Probation Officer supports the Head of Operational Function to provide management and a leading role within a Local Delivery Unit (LDU) or other operational unit.

The job holder will manage and lead staff within the operational area to the required standard, and offer support and cover to other teams/functions during periods of absence. In line with NPS policies and procedures, the job holder must demonstrate a commitment to equality and inclusion and an understanding of their relevance to the work they do. The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position. Some out of hours working may be required.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties:

• Provide effective management and leadership to the team.
• Be accountable for the quality delivery of good practice and team performance improvement within policy and national standards.
• Ensure that all team resources, including interventions, are deployed cost‑effectively and provide best value in terms of both budget control and realising the organisation’s strategic aims.
• Ensure that staff can efficiently and effectively meet the requirements of the NPS’ contract with HMPPS, Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRC) and local business plans as required.
• Access, interpret, analyse and apply performance data pro‑actively in order to maximise LDU/team performance, evaluate practice and deliver organisational aims.
• Proactively manage staff development, issues of underperformance, attendance, health and safety, employee relations and diversity matters.
• Adopt a consistent, fair and objective standpoint when making decisions in relation to individual staff issues.
• Ensure that offender managers manage risk appropriately, and meet all public protection standards and targets.
• Contribute directly to public protection through multi‑agency arrangements and individual casework review, discussion and feedback.
• Promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement to service delivery.
• Manage financial resources for the area of responsibility as required by the Head of Operational Function and in line with HMPPS financial regulations and policies.
• Authorise expenditure within financial limits.
• Provide a leading role and direction in work with partners and key stakeholders, and represent the NPS as appropriate to the role.
• Facilitate effective communication between the LDU/Operational Unit management team and internal and external partners.
• Play an active part in the corporate management of the NPS as necessary, as a member of the LDU/Operational Unit Management Team.
• Undertake specific areas of responsibility as delegated by the Head of Operational Function.
• Demonstrate pro‑social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro‑social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti‑social behaviour and attitudes.
• Carry out safeguarding children duties in accordance with the NPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies.
• Work within the aims and values of NPS and HMPPS.

Behaviours:

• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership

Essential Experience:

• Substantial experience with a proven record of good practice in a variety of settings (including offender risk assessment and management) as a Probation Officer or from working within another criminal justice agency or related work context.
• Understanding of the role of the Probation Service in the Criminal Justice System and in a multi‑disciplinary setting.
• Knowledge and understanding of the factors which influence engagement with victims.
• Experience of risk management and assessment, understanding of multi‑agency risk assessment and management procedures.
• Evidence of ability to evaluate practice.
• Evidence of ability to provide a practice perspective on policy development.
• Experience of working under pressure and fulfilling demanding deadlines.
• Experience of working flexibly as a member of a team to achieve performance targets.
• Experience of contributing to the provision of effective administration and information systems.
• Demonstrable achievements in managing/supporting change and effecting improvements in quality and efficiency.
• Well‑developed IT skills, including evidence of ability to interpret and apply performance reports.
• Experience of proactively championing diversity and inclusiveness both internally and externally.
• Ability to implement the services health and safety policies.

Technical Requirements:

• Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma / Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice.
• Or a qualification recognised at the time of qualification by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007.
• Previously recognised qualifications include:
• Diploma in Probation Studies
• Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)
• CQSW (with Probation Option)
• English language proficiency at the spoken level (or Welsh where specified for Wales).

Working Arrangements & Further Information:

The MoJ offers hybrid working arrangements where business need allows. This is a flexible, informal arrangement that blends work from the base location, other MoJ sites and/or from home. The role must be based in the UK. Hybrid working is not suitable for all roles and will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate, subject to regular review. Standard full‑time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding unpaid breaks. HMPPS welcomes part‑time, flexible, and job‑sharing working patterns where they meet the demands of the role and business needs.

Benefits:

• Annual leave starts at 25 days on appointment and increases to 30 days after five years’ service, plus public holidays. Leave for part‑time and job‑share posts is calculated on a pro‑rata basis.
• National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF).
• Access to a range of voluntary benefits, retail vouchers, and discounts on a variety of goods and services.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Equal Opportunities:

This role is open to UK nationals, nationals of the Republic of Ireland, nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK, and nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein along with their eligible family members where applicable. All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.