Probation Officers in Bridgend

To assess and manage the risk posed by people on probation to protect victims of crime and the public by:

• Providing information and advice to criminal courts, other criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.
• Supervising people on probation subject to community orders and licences and during custodial sentences.
• Contributing to the management of risk.
• Working with other agencies and groups to prevent crime and meet the needs of victims and people on probation.

In line with PS policies and procedures, the job holder must at all times demonstrate a commitment to equality and inclusion and an understanding of their relevance to the work they undertake. The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

• To provide professional advice and assessment, including written reports to courts, the Parole Board, other criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.
• To undertake the full range of offender management tasks with people on probation assessed at all levels of risk of serious harm including high and very high.
• To use computer based systems to produce, update and maintain records and other documentation within agreed timescales.
• To ensure timely and effective referrals to, and relationships between, offender management, court teams, victim contact units, interventions, Approved Premises, prisons and external agencies to enhance positive outcomes, manage risk and reduce reoffending.
• To attend professional meetings and represent the PS at appropriate partnership forums e.g. MAPPA, MARAC.
• To work collaboratively with colleagues, maintain effective team relationships and provide professional guidance and support to Probation Services Officers (PSOs) and other staff as appropriate.
• To provide cover within your team and to other teams as required.
• To undertake prison, home or other alternate location visits as required.
• To deliver and co-lead accredited programmes commensurate with grade.
• To conduct mandatory alcohol and drug tests as required, and to follow prescribed medication procedures.
• Carry out safeguarding children duties in accordance with the PS statutory responsibilities and agency policies.

An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and/or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS' Flexible Working policy.

Knowledge, Qualifications and Requirements

• Knowledge and understanding of the work of the Criminal Justice System and the Probation Service.
• Knowledge of Evidence Based Practice and risk/needs assessment tools.
• A working knowledge of relevant legislation and National Standards.
• Specific qualification requirements: You must hold a Probation Officer qualification or be a qualified Probation Officer. PQF Honours Degree/Graduate Diploma and Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice; Diploma in Probation Studies; Diploma in Social Work (Probation option); CQSW (Probation option).

Organisational Context and Benefits

HMPPS in Wales works in an integrated way to keep communities in Wales safer and to give the people we work with the opportunity to change their lives. We commission and provide offender management services in the community and in custody to deliver the orders of the courts and support rehabilitation. Our aim is to deliver outstanding, seamless offender management services in Wales that protect the public, reduce reoffending, deliver value for money and support our partners.

Would you like the opportunity to be part of a culture that impacts changing lives? At HMPPS Wales, we can offer you the opportunity to make a difference to wider society. You'll experience job and personal satisfaction whilst also reaping the organisational rewards and benefits. From attractive holiday allowance, promotion opportunities, access to training, flexible working, generous maternity and employer contribution pension scheme. These are to list just a few, want to know more? Apply for that job now.

Benefits and Diversity & Inclusion

The MoJ offers a range of benefits: Annual Leave, Pension (LGPS), Training, Flexible working, and networks for diversity and inclusion. Eligibility: Security and identity checks prior to taking up post. The Civil Service Code and merit-based recruitment apply. Disability and diversity initiatives are in place, with support for reasonable adjustments in the recruitment process. See the full candidate information for detailed benefits and policies.