24008 - Offender Personality Disorder Senior Probation Officer - Thames Valley (South Central) in Milton Keynes

This is a management role within the National Probation Service (NPS). The Senior Probation Officer supports the Head of Operational Function to provide management and a leading role within a Local Delivery Unit (LDU) or other operational unit.

Summary

The job holder will be expected to manage and lead staff within the operational area to the required standard, and will offer support and cover to other teams/functions during periods of absence. In line with NPS 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 do. The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position. If relevant to the role, some out of hours working may be required.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

• To provide effective management and leadership to the team.
• To be accountable for the quality delivery of good practice and team performance improvement within policy and national standards.
• To ensure that all team resources, including interventions, are deployed cost effectively and provide best value in terms of both budget control and realising the organisation's strategic aims.
• To access, interpret, analyse and apply performance data pro-actively in order to maximise LDU/team performance, evaluate practice and deliver organisational aims.
• To proactively manage staff development, issues of underperformance, attendance, health and safety, employee relations and diversity matters.
• To ensure that offender managers manage risk appropriately, and meet all public protection standards and targets.
• To contribute directly to public protection through multi-agency arrangements and individual casework review, discussion and feedback.
• To promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement to service delivery.
• To manage financial resources for your area of responsibility as required by your Head of Operational Function and in line with HMPPS financial regulations.
• To facilitate effective communication between the LDU/Operational Unit management team and internal and external partners.
• To play an active part in the corporate management of the NPS as necessary, as a member of the LDU/Operational Unit Management Team.
• To undertake specific areas of responsibility as delegated by the Head of Operational Function.
• To carry out safeguarding children duties in accordance with the NPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies.
• To work within the aims and values of NPS and HMPPS policies.

Essential Experience

• Substantial experience with a proven record of good practice in a variety of settings (including offender risk assessment and management) as a Probation Officer or from working within another criminal justice agency or related work context.
• Understanding of the role of the Probation Service in the Criminal Justice System and in a multi-disciplinary setting.
• Knowledge and understanding of the factors which influence engagement with victims.
• Experience of risk management and assessment, understanding of multi-agency risk assessment and management procedures.
• Evidence of ability to evaluate practice.
• Evidence of ability to provide a practice perspective on policy development.
• Experience of working under pressure and fulfilling demanding deadlines.
• Experience of working flexibly as a member of a team to achieve performance targets.
• Experience of contributing to the provision of effective administration and information systems.
• Demonstrable achievements in managing/supporting change and effecting improvements in quality and efficiency.
• Able to demonstrate well developed IT skills, including evidence of ability to interpret and apply performance reports.
• Experience of proactively championing diversity and inclusiveness both internally and externally.
• Ability to implement the services health and safety policies.
• An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English.

Technical requirements

Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/ Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice. Or a qualification which was recognised at the time of qualification by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007.

Key Responsibilities

• Co-lead the Community OPD Partnership Team alongside the Clinical Lead.
• Provide operational leadership for the OPD Pathway across Thames Valley.
• Ensure delivery of the OPD Strategy and achievement of agreed partnership outcomes.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, innovation and psychologically informed practice across probation, health and wider stakeholder organisations.
• Maintain strong relationships with PDUs, prisons, MAPPA partners and regional stakeholders.
• Lead the development and delivery of the Core Offender Management Service and specialist interventions, including IIRMS.
• Oversee the effective management of screened-in service users and intervention pathways.
• Lead quality assurance activity relating to probation practice across the OPD Pathway.
• Line manage and support Probation Practitioners working within the OPD Pathway.
• Coordinate and co-deliver training for Probation Practitioners and Senior Probation Officers alongside NHS colleagues.
• Work with PDUs to integrate OPD interventions within probation structures and processes.

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.

Benefits

• Annual Leave: 25 days on appointment increasing to 30 days after five years’ service, plus public holidays.
• Pension: The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Training: The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
• Networks: The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found.