At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver quality assurance and improve practices for Probation Officers and Senior Probation Officers.
- Company: Join the Ministry of Justice, committed to making a difference in community justice.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, pension scheme, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse workplace with family-friendly policies and flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Probation qualification or relevant degree required; experience in collaborative improvement is essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Responsibilities and Duties
- Deliver quality assurance activities as part of the national effective practice programme and review impact on operational practice.
- Deliver practice improvement workshops and briefings to Probation Officers (POs) and Senior Probation Officers (PSOs) and review impact on practice.
- Support the re‑launch and deployment of Skills for Effective Engagement Development and Supervision (SEEDS).
- Undertake audits of key work, provide analysis and feedback to staff and contribute to local improvement and quality plans.
- Work with local managers to develop audit and improvement activities based on local and divisional need and evidence from audits, inspections and case reviews arising from serious further offences, domestic homicides and serious case reviews.
- Support local managers in delivering improvement activities to staff in informal and formal capability processes; provide focused 1:1 support to POs and PSOs involved in formal capability processes.
- Plan and support quality improvement in the cluster and function.
- Provide coaching and support to groups of staff whose roles are changing.
- Play an integral role in the divisional performance and quality team in implementing the national performance and quality programme.
- Provide guidance and support to SPOs in undertaking quality assurance work.
- Respond to risk escalation requests raised by Community Rehabilitation Companies, determine risk level, and if high risk (endorsed by a manager) decide on management approach.
- Carry out safeguarding children and safeguarding adult duties in accordance with NPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies.
- Demonstrate and promote pro‑social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro‑social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti‑social behaviour and attitudes.
- Work within the aims and values of NPS and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
Essential Experience
- Evidence of undertaking good quality probation work.
- Evidence of working collaboratively with others to improve quality.
- Experience of working with a wide variety of people and communities who have experienced a range of social and personal difficulties.
- Experience of working with individuals and groups to motivate and change offending behaviour.
- Evidence of analysing information and using it to design an action plan to meet specific goals.
Technical Requirements
Qualifications: Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma or Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice, or a qualification recognised at the time of qualification by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007.
Benefits
- Annual Leave: 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years, plus public holidays.
- Workplace pension (Local Government Pension Scheme).
- Extensive training and development opportunities.
- Family‑friendly policies including flexible and part‑time arrangements.
- Paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The MoJ welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and encourages a diverse range of candidates to apply. All applicants will receive a fair and open recruitment process.
Quality Development Officer in Preston employer: Ministry of Justice
As a Quality Development Officer with the Ministry of Justice, you will be part of a dedicated team committed to enhancing the quality of probation services across the UK. Our supportive work culture prioritises employee development through extensive training opportunities and family-friendly policies, ensuring a balanced work-life dynamic. With a focus on collaboration and community engagement, we offer a meaningful career path where your contributions directly impact the lives of individuals and communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Quality Development Officer in Preston
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Ministry of Justice.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Ministry of Justice!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Ministry of Justice, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Ministry of Justice or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Quality Development Officer in Preston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Ministry of Justice:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Ministry of Justice! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Justice
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
