HMP Wormwood Scrubs Caseworker: Offender Management: Prison Offender Manager in London

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 holder will build effective, appropriate and supportive relationships with prisoners, with the aim of reducing reoffending. The holder will act in a supportive role to probation officers in the case management of high risk prisoners and will have undergone selection and additional training to carry out this specialist delivery job as a Prison Offender Manager. This is a non‑operational, rotational role with no line management responsibilities. Regular prisoner‑facing activities/duties are required.

Summary of Typical Tasks

• Supervise, manage, signpost and advise prisoners safely and securely.
• 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 checks.
• Attend and contribute to relevant meetings as required.
• Provide information and advice to other criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.
• Supervise offenders during custodial sentences.
• Contribute to management of risk.
• Work with other agencies and groups to prevent reoffending and meet the needs of victims and offenders.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

• Undertake full range of offender management tasks with low to medium risk cases; support probation officers in case management of high risk prisoners as required.
• Participate in prison processes such as ACCT and violence reduction/anti‑bullying where applicable.
• Act as ACCT Case Manager for individuals when appropriate.
• Interview prisoners within prescribed timescales of arrival; set and review targets with prisoners and update case management notes on PNOMIS or relevant IT systems.
• Use the Offender Assessment System (OASys) to identify risks and manage offenders appropriately.
• Obtain further information from outside agencies to complete comprehensive OASys reports.
• Lead sentence‑planning meetings to prepare and review appropriate plans.
• Coordinate activities within the sentence plan through liaison with prisoners and other departments and agencies.
• Encourage and support prisoners to participate in education, interventions and workshops as defined in the sentence plan.
• Provide professional advice and assessment, including written reports to criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.
• Liaise with Community Offender Managers regarding Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) and Home Detention Curfew (HDC); make recommendations to the Governor on suitability for early release.
• Support Community Offender Managers with delivery of plans to enable recalled prisoners to be re‑released.
• Complete all paperwork for the cases, including life‑and‑ISP specific paperwork in line with relevant policies, standards and set timescales.
• Highlight any prisoner who gives significant concerns by behaviour to appropriate authorities.
• Contribute to and attend Multi‑Agency Public Protection Arrangements (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 when appropriate.
• Instigate public protection child contact checks and share safeguarding information with authorities.
• Act as the resettlement adviser for prisoners in specific caseload, forging and maintaining links between programmes and prisoner’s sentence path.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and maintain effective team relationships, especially with Key Workers.
• Demonstrate prosocial modelling skills and challenge antisocial behaviour.
• Use computer‑based systems to produce, update and maintain records within agreed timescales.
• Work within the aims and values of HMPPS.

Behaviours

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• 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.
• Communicate constructively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Complete all mandatory training as required.

Experience

• Working with a diverse range of people who have experienced social or personal difficulties; use tact and discretion with confidential and sensitive issues.
• Understanding factors related to offending, including substance misuse and accommodation issues.
• Commitment to principles of case management.
• Understanding of risk management and risk assessment tools and their impact on victims of crime.
• Experience in planning and coordinating work.
• Experience motivating and changing behaviour in groups or individuals.
• Experience working with diverse communities and valuing diversity.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system.
• Experience working with people who have committed offences.
• Completion of Women Awareness Staff Training (WASP) if working in a female establishment.
• Completion of 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.

Working Arrangements

• Hybrid working arrangements may be offered where business need allows. The role can be worked exclusively in the UK.

Benefits

• Annual leave of up to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays.
• Choice of two Civil Service pension schemes.
• Training and development opportunities including Equality and Diversity, Suicide Prevention, Anti‑Bullying programmes and promotion opportunities.
• Season ticket advance after two months of service.
• Support for childcare vouchers may be impacted by moves across the Civil Service.

Equal Opportunities

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ is committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and talent by making adjustments throughout the recruitment process and workplace. All candidates are required to declare membership in any group or organisation that the HMPPS considers to be racist.

Level of Security Checks Required

DBS Standard.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI may support your application, but all examples and statements must be truthful and factually accurate. Plagiarism may result in withdrawal of application or disciplinary action.