Probation Officer - HMP The Mount in Hemel Hempstead

Overview of the job

Post holders will undertake the full range of offender management tasks with people on probation under supervision including assessment, sentence implementation and producing reports; utilising service procedures and practice directions to underpin professional judgement.

Summary

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

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

• Providing professional advice and assessment, including written reports to courts, the Parole Board, other criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.
• Undertaking 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.
• Using computer based systems to produce, update and maintain records and other documentation within agreed timescales.
• Ensuring 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.
• Attending professional meetings and representing the PS at appropriate partnership forums e. g. MAPPA, MARAC.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues, maintaining effective team relationships and providing professional guidance and support to Probation Services Officers (PSOs) and other staff as appropriate.
• Providing cover within your team and to other teams as required.
• Undertaking prison, home or other alternate location visits as required.
• Delivering and co leading accredited programmes commensurate with grade.
• Conducting mandatory alcohol and drug tests as required, and following prescribed medication procedures.
• Carrying out safeguarding children duties in accordance with the PS statutory responsibilities and agency policies.
• Demonstrating pro social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti social behaviour and attitudes.
• Working within the aims and values of PS and HMPPS.
• Behaviours
• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

Essential Experience

• Experience of working with a wide variety of people who have experienced a range of social/personal difficulties.
• Experience of working with diverse communities including promoting equality and valuing diversity.
• An understanding and appreciation of equality.
• Experience of working with individuals and groups to motivate and change offending behaviour.
• Experience of working with people who have committed offences.
• Technical requirements
• Hold a Probation Officer qualification or be a qualified Probation Officer. In addition, successful candidates must hold the following:
• PQF Honours Degree/Graduate Diploma and Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice; or
• Diploma in Probation Studies; or Diploma in Social Work (Probation option); or CQSW (Probation option).
• Knowledge and understanding of the work of the Criminal Justice System and the Probation Service.
• A working knowledge of relevant legislation and National Standards.
• Knowledge of Evidence Based Practice and risk/needs assessment tools.
• Working Arrangements & Further Information

The Mo J 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 Mo J sites and / or from home.

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 Mo J 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.

• Civil Service Nationality Rules
• 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)
• 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 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