Descriptions & requirements

Job description

HMPPS Band 9

0.6 FTE (job share basis)

This is an exciting opportunity to join a high performing and friendly team. Working with an established member of staff in a job share capacity.

Please note the Job Description may refer to a slightly different directorate name to that listed in the actual advert.

Regular verbal contact with other professionals requiring good spoke English – doctors, social workers, probation officers, police etc.

60% office attendance required. All PPG roes are hybrid, 2 days per week in the office (FTE). This role is part time so 1 day per week in the office at 1 Ruskin Square Croydon.

Job Title

Head of Casework Team (Mental Health Casework Section)

Directorate

Wales & Public Protection

Overview of the job

The Mental Health Casework Section (MHCS) sits in the Public Protection Group of the HMPPS Wales & Public Protection Directorate. This is a Headquarters based post.

The main function of MHCS is to discharge the Justice Secretary’s functions under the Mental Health Act 1983. This involves the transfer of prisoners to and from hospital, and the management of other restricted patients diverted for treatment at the point of sentence who are either detained in hospital or conditionally discharged to live in the community under supervision. MHCS takes decisions on recall, community leave, transfer and provides advice and training to stakeholders including clinicians on the management of restricted patients.

The job holder leads one of three casework teams in MHCS, and is accountable for decisions made on behalf of the Secretary of State in respect of approx. 7,600+ restricted patients (mentally disordered offenders who present a risk of significant harm to the public). The Head of Team takes personal responsibility for the management of high profile cases, and takes personally the decisions that have the greatest impact on the protection of the public. The post holder also manages all litigation arising from the team’s caseload, including instructing Treasury Solicitor and attending conferences with counsel as necessary. On occasion, the post holder will be required to give evidence in court as a witness. The post holder also deals with all Ministerial Correspondence.

This is a leadership role and the post holder sets the direction for the team, cascading information, guidance and support, and ensuring that the views of the team are represented at Senior Management Team meetings.

In addition the job holder will lead on one or more key business priorities for MHCS identifying the priority actions, planning the approach, checking legal or consequential issues and producing any agreed deliverables. As part of this process the job holder will undertake the necessary stakeholder liaison.

The post holder reports to the Head of Mental Health Casework Section.

Summary

The job holder is accountable (jointly with 2 other Heads of Casework Teams) for a caseload of 7,600+ restricted patients, and the performance of a team of 15 who take decisions on behalf of the Secretary of State. The job holder takes personal responsibility for the management of a small number of very high profile cases, manages the section’s high profile cases collectively and takes the decisions on the recall and discharge of all patients.

The decision making requires the analysis of clinical and legal reports, and balancing the rights of the patient to rehabilitation against the need to protect the public from
harm, within the legal framework of the Mental Health Act 1983 and other legislation. The post holder is required to seek specialist legal advice to support decision making and to lead the department’s response to litigation challenges, some of which may require subsequent changes to operational policy.

The post holder will represent the department regularly, delivering training, making presentations and attending meetings with stakeholders involved in the management of mentally disordered offenders.

They manage their own work and that of the team to deliver casework to targets, and establish good working relationships with other agencies involved in the management of restricted patients. They use management information (such as casework outputs, data on backlogs and quality assurance assessments), to monitor and manage the performance of the team to ensure that workload and resources are managed effectively, defensible decisions are taken and agreed processes followed.

The work concerns dangerous mentally disordered offenders and much of the material handled is of a disturbing and sensitive nature. It is rare to have direct contact with patients but it is not unusual to have difficult conversations with a number of stakeholders who have a different view of the decision that should be made.

In order to undertake their role, the post holder will have advanced understanding of the legislative framework, caselaw, Department of Health and Social Care guidance and the facilities available for the management of restricted patients.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

• Lead a team of 15, to ensure that performance and quality targets are met, individual staff potential is developed and good morale is maintained.
• Take overall responsibility for the management of approximately 7,600+ restricted patients, including direct responsibility for the management of sensitive, problematic and/or high profile cases as appropriate, through the effective use of the Public Protection Unit Database (PPUD) and by the analysis and assessment of the clinical evidence available, ensuring that the risk to the public is identified and appropriately managed.
• Ensure timeliness targets are met to quality assure, using the quality assurance (QA) framework, a sample of the team’s decisions every month and deliver high quality, constructive feedback as part of the QA process.
• Provide an on-call service to deal with urgent work out of hours approximately one week in six as a minimum (this may attract an on-call payment dependent upon the candidate’s contract).
• Liaise with clinicians, social supervisors and other personnel involved in the management of mentally disordered offenders, plus with other statutory and non-statutory agencies and organisations to build effective working relationships, including hosting and presenting at Section Open Days.
• Work as a supportive and flexible member of the SMT, taking a strategic approach to the wider management of the Section, including the development of operational policy, and owning and delivering business plan commitments to deliver continuous change and improvement across MHCS.
• Lead on all litigation cases and Ministerial correspondence relating to restricted patients.
• Provide briefings and submissions for Minsters on high profile restricted patients on behalf of the Head of Group.
• Manage the development and delivery of effective guidance relating to the management of restricted patients, working with stakeholders across HMPPS, HMCTS, MoJ, DHSC, NHS and Local Authorities to ensure effective management of restricted patients.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.

Behaviours

• Leadership
• Seeing the Bigger Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing

Ability

• The individual must be able to demonstrate a proven track record of delivery and achievement.
• The individual must have strong written skills, verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
• The individual must be able to demonstrate self-motivation, resilience and the ability to handle significant level of pressure whilst delivering outcomes.

Experience

Essential:
• Experience of managing a team to deliver quality outcomes.
• Experience of delivering in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities on your time and that of your team.
• Experience of briefing senior managers and Ministers on relevant issues.

Desirable:
• Experience of case work and working knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 (full training on the legislation will be provided).

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

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. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. 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.

If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff.

The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.

Benefits

Annual Leave

-The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case.

Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays

-You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays. These hours are added to your annual leave allowance. There is a requirement to work some public and bank holidays subject to your shift pattern and the operational needs of the establishment

Pension

-The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Work Life Balance

HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements. Work life balance provides greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wherever managers and establishments can accommodate requests to do so. HMPPS offers flexible working subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period and NVQ

Season Ticket Advance

-After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer-period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work

Childcare Vouchers

For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers

Training

HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including areas such as Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti Bullying Programmes

-There are opportunities to access promotion programmes and HMPPS provides a variety of training appropriate to individual posts

-All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles

Eligibility

-All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post

-All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS

-All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which the HMPPS considers to be racist

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

UK nationals
nationals of the Republic of Ireland
nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 22651

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 22651

If you have any questions regarding this vacancy contact the line manager jobshare.souter-nichol@justice.gov.uk or existing postholder (who will be jobshare partner) shan.maraj1@justice.gov.uk.

Allowance

This role requires participation on an out of hours rota. No formal allowance is applicable, however an out of hours payment can be applied for in accordance with published policies.

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours

A sift based on the lead behaviour, Making Effective Decisions, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.

Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit

250

Changing and Improving

Leadership

Making Effective Decisions

Seeing the Big Picture

Experience

We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods

CV or Work History

Evidence of Experience

CV or Work History

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

22651 - Head of Casework Team (Mental Health Casework Section) – Job Share in Croydon

22651 - Head of Casework Team (Mental Health Casework Section) – Job Share in Croydon employer: Ministry of Justice

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