HMP Elmley Caseworker: Offender Management: Prison Offender Manager in Kent

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 role is non‑operational, has no line management responsibilities, is rotational and will build effective, supportive relationships with prisoners to reduce re‑offending.

Typical tasks:

• Supervise, manage, signpost and advise prisoners decently, safely and securely while carrying out all activities.
• Understand, apply and conform to national and local policies.
• Establish, develop and maintain professional relationships with prisoners and staff.
• Maintain and update systems in line with local agreements.
• Prepare relevant documentation for manager verification/quality checking.
• Attend and contribute to relevant meetings as required.
• Assess and manage the risk posed by offenders to protect victims of crime and the general public by providing information and advice to other criminal justice agencies, contributing to risk management and working with agencies to prevent reoffending.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties:

• Carry out the full range of offender management tasks with low to medium risk cases.
• Support probation officers in the case management of high risk prisoners when required.
• Be involved in prison processes such as ACCT and violence reduction/anti‑bullying for those within your caseload.
• Act as the ACCT Case Manager for individuals where appropriate.
• Interview prisoners within prescribed arrival timescales; set and review targets and update case management notes on PNOMIS or relevant IT systems.
• Use OASys to identify risks and manage offenders appropriately.
• Obtain further information from outside agencies to complete a comprehensive OASys report.
• Lead the sentence planning meeting to prepare and review appropriate plans.
• Coordinate activities within the sentence plan through liaison with prisoners and other departments and agencies, gathering and exchanging information and investigating conflicting opinions on prisoner progress.
• Encourage and support prisoners to participate in education, interventions and workshops defined within the sentence plan; develop strategies to assist prisoners to overcome reluctance to attend.
• Provide professional advice and assessment, including written reports to criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.
• Liaise with Community Offender Managers regarding ROTL and HDC; make recommendations to the Governor on suitability for early release and inform relevant agencies of release dates and addresses 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, covering concerns such as risk of suicide or self‑harm or outstanding concerns regarding victims or further offences and racial harassment.
• Contribute to and attend MAPPA boards and work with 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 where 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 links between programmes, progress and the prisoner’s ongoing path through their sentence.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and maintain effective team relationships, particularly with Key Workers.
• Demonstrate pro‑social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro‑social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti‑social behaviour and attitudes.
• Use computer‑based systems to produce, update and maintain records and other documentation within agreed timescales.
• Work within the aims and values of HMPPS.

Behaviours:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service

Ability:

• Analyse complex information to make assessments and decisions.
• Communicate clearly verbally and in writing with offenders, professionals and at hearings such as Parole Boards.
• Empathise constructively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Complete all mandatory training required to support the job role.

Experience:

• Worked with a diverse range of people who have experienced a range of social/personal difficulties, using tact and discretion with confidential and sensitive issues.
• Understanding of factors related to offending such as substance misuse and accommodation issues.
• Understanding and commitment to the principles of case management.
• Knowledge of risk management and risk assessment pertaining to offenders and the impact on victims of crime.
• Experience planning and coordinating work.
• Experience working with groups or individuals to motivate and change behaviour.
• Experience working with diverse communities, including promoting equality and valuing diversity.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system.
• Experience working with people who have committed offences.
• Completed Women Awareness Staff Training (WASP) if working in a female establishment.
• Completed Juvenile Awareness Staff Programme (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.

Technical:

• Desirable: Higher level academic qualification(s).

Hours of Work:

• 37 hour working week.