Probation Officers in Ashton-under-Lyne

Greater Manchester Probation Service seeks an experienced Senior Probation Officer (SPO) to provide management and leadership within a Local Delivery Unit (LDU) or other operational unit. The SPO will support the Head of Operational Function and oversee staff, ensuring compliance with NPS policies, equality and inclusion commitments, and the confidentiality of sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective management and leadership to the team.
• Accountable for the quality of service delivery, ensuring team performance improvement within policy and national standards.
• Deploy team resources, including interventions, cost‑effectively to deliver best value.
• Ensure staff meet the NPS contract requirements with HMPPS, CRCs and local business plans.
• Analyse and utilise performance data to maximise LDU performance, evaluate practice and achieve organisational aims.
• Manage staff development, under‑performance, attendance, health & safety, employee relations and diversity matters.
• Ensure offender managers assess and manage risk appropriately, meeting public protection standards and targets.
• Contribute to public protection through multi‑agency arrangements and case‑work reviews.
• Promote innovation and continuous improvement in service delivery.
• Manage financial resources within regulatory limits and authorise expenditure within allocated budgets.
• Lead the LDU in partnerships with key stakeholders and represent NPS where necessary.
• Facilitate communication between the LDU management team and internal/external partners.
• Participate in corporate management of the NPS as a member of the Management Team.
• Carry out safeguarding duties in accordance with statutory responsibilities.
• Model pro‑social behaviour, challenge anti‑social attitudes, and reinforce rehabilitation objectives.
• Work within the aims and values of NPS and HMPPS.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience as a Probation Officer or within another criminal justice agency, with a proven record in offender risk assessment and management.
• Understanding of the role of Probation Service in a multi‑disciplinary criminal justice system.
• Knowledge of factors influencing victim engagement.
• Experience of risk management, assessment, and multi‑agency procedures.
• Ability to evaluate practice and provide input on policy development.
• Capability to work under pressure and meet demanding deadlines.
• Strong teamwork skills and ability to achieve performance targets.
• Experience in effective administration and information systems.
• Demonstrable achievements in driving change and improving quality and efficiency.
• Well‑developed IT skills, including interpreting and applying performance reports.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusiveness, both internally and externally.
• Competence in implementing health and safety policies.
• Fluency in English; Welsh language competence may be required in certain locations.
• Probation Qualification Framework – Graduate Diploma or Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with a Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice, or equivalent recognised qualification.

Equal Opportunity

This role is open to candidates of all backgrounds in accordance with equal opportunity legislation. The National Probation Service is a Disability Confident Employer and welcomes applications from disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria.