13219 - Operational Prison Offender Manager in Lewes

We have a permanent vacancy for an Operational Prison Offender Manager (POM) in the Offender Management Unit at HMP Lewes. The role involves contributing to and leading the management and assessment of selected low to medium risk prisoners. This includes preparing, implementing, reviewing and evaluating sentence plans with prisoners.

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 medium to high risk prisoners, including release planning. The role offers ongoing and additional training to carry out this specialist delivery job as a Prison Offender Manager to prisoners. This is an operational job with no line management responsibilities but with supervisory responsibilities when required. Will have regular prisoner facing activities/duties.

Typical Tasks

• Supervise, manage and control prisoners decently, safely and securely whilst 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 to managers for verification/quality checking purposes.
• Attend and contribute to relevant meetings as required.
• Exercise the powers of a Constable.
• Conduct searches on prisoners, staff and visitors as required.
• Undertake ‘first on scene’ incident response.

Risk Assessment and Management

• Providing information and advice to other criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.
• Supervise offenders during custodial sentences.
• Contribute to the management of risk.
• Work with other agencies and groups to prevent reoffending and meet the needs of victims and offenders.

Essential Skills

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Experience of working with groups or individuals in order to motivate and change behaviour.
• Experience of working with diverse communities including promoting equality and valuing diversity.
• Knowledge and understanding of the work of the criminal justice system.
• Experience of working with people who have committed offences.
• Have received Women Awareness Staff Training (WASP) if working in a female establishment.
• Have received Juvenile Awareness Staff Programme (JASP) and child protection training if working in a Juvenile establishment.
• A working knowledge of relevant legislation and National Standards.
• Knowledge of Evidence Based Practice and risk/needs assessment tools.
• The ability to complete all mandatory training as required to support the job role.
• An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.

Desirable

• Higher level academic qualification(s).

Eligibility

To be eligible, officers will have successfully completed Prison Officer Entry Level Training (POELT) and completed their probationary period as a prison officer as well as achieved a Level 3 qualification in the Management and Care of Individuals in the Custodial Environment (or equivalent i.e. CCNVQ) or will have been in post prior to 2007.