Offender Management: Prison Offender Manager in Bicester

The job holder will lead the management and assessment of selected low to medium risk prisoners and prepare, implement, review and evaluate their sentence plans with them. The job holder will build effective, appropriate and supportive relationships with prisoners, with the aim of reducing re-offending. The job holder will act in a supportive role only to probation officers in the case management of high risk prisoners. The job holder will have undergone selection and additional training to carry out this specialist delivery job as a Prison Offender Manager to prisoners. This is a non-operational job with no line management responsibilities. This role is rotational and will have regular prisoner facing activities/duties.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

• To undertake the full range of offender management tasks with low to medium risk cases.
• No ownership of high risk cases will be held, but support to probation officers in the case management of high risk prisoners will be given when required.
• As Prison Offender Manager, be involved in all relevant processes in the prison such as ACCT and violence reduction/anti-bullying for those within your case load, if this is applicable.
• Act as the ACCT Case Manager for individuals if appropriate.
• Interview prisoners within prescribed timescales of their arrival. Set and review targets with prisoners and update case management notes on PNOMIS or relevant IT systems.
• Use the Offender Assessment System (OASys) to identify risks and manage offenders appropriately.
• Obtain further information if required from outside agencies to complete a comprehensive OASys report.
• Lead the sentence planning meeting in order to prepare and review appropriate plans.
• Coordinate the activities within the sentence plan through liaison with prisoners and other departments and agencies, including gathering and exchanging information and understanding/investigating conflicting opinions on prisoner progress.
• Encourage and support prisoners to participate in education, interventions and workshops as defined within the sentence plan.
• Develop strategies to assist prisoners to overcome reluctance to attend.
• To provide professional advice and assessment, including written reports to criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.
• Liaise with the Community Offender Managers regarding Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) and Home Detention Curfew (HDC). Make recommendations to the Governor on suitability for early release.
• Inform relevant agencies of release dates and address of prisoners considered a risk on release.
• Support Community Offender Managers with the delivery of plans to enable recalled prisoners to be re-released.
• Complete all paperwork for the cases, including lifer and ISP specific paperwork in line with relevant policies, standards and set timescales.
• Highlight any prisoner who gives significant concerns by their behaviour to the Heads of Offender Management or Orderly Officer.
• Contribute to and attend Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) Boards and work with all relevant external agencies to protect the public when releasing prisoners under MAPPA.
• Liaise with the Foreign National Department or UK Border Agency regarding foreign national prisoners, as appropriate.
• Instigate public protection child contact checks and share relevant safeguarding information with authorities.
• Undertake the role of the resettlement advisor for prisoners in the specific caseload.
• Forge, develop and maintain the links between the programmes, the progress made by the participants and the prisoner’s ongoing path through their sentence.
• To work collaboratively with colleagues and maintain effective team relationships, in particular with Key Workers.
• Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes.
• To use computer based systems to produce, update and maintain records and other documentation within agreed timescales.
• To work within the aims and values of HMPPS.

Qualifications and Experience

• Level of security checks required: DBS Standard.
• Ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or Welsh where specified.
• Ability to analyse complex information in order to make assessments and decisions.
• Ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing with offenders, professionals, and at hearings such as Parole Boards.
• Ability to empathise constructively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• The ability to complete all mandatory training as required to support the job role.
• Experience of working with a diverse range of people who have experienced a range of social/personal difficulties, and of using tact and discretion when dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.
• Understanding of factors related to offending (e.g., substance misuse, accommodation issues) and understanding of and commitment to the principles of case management.
• Knowledge and understanding of risk management/risk assessment pertaining to offenders and the impact on victims of crime.
• Experience in planning and coordinating work and in working with groups or individuals to motivate and change behaviour.
• Experience of working with diverse communities including promoting equality and valuing diversity.
• Knowledge of the work of the criminal justice system and experience of working with people who have committed offences.
• Relevant training such as WASP (Women Awareness Staff Training) if working in a female establishment and JASP and child protection training if working in a Juvenile establishment.
• Working knowledge of relevant legislation and National Standards; knowledge of Evidence Based Practice and risk/needs assessment tools.
• Desirable: Higher level academic qualification(s).

Working Arrangements and Other Information

• The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows.
• Standard full-time hours are 37 per week excluding unpaid breaks.
• MoJ supports flexible working patterns where they meet role and business needs.
• Security and identity checks are required prior to taking up post.
• All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation; internal candidates may be subject to probation if not previously served.
• All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of any group or organisation that the HMPPS considers racist.

Additional Information

• Disability Confident employer: adjustments available during recruitment process and workplace.
• Equal opportunities and diversity commitments apply.