Prisoner Casework Specialist Caseworker (PPCS)

The Prisoner Casework team sits within the Public Protection Casework Section (PPCS) in the Public Protection Group (PPG) of His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). The remit of Prisoner Casework involves drafting high quality replies to a broad range of correspondence (Ministerial, CEO and Treat Official) regarding prisoner-specific issues. The team also reviews appeals to governor adjudications from prisoners and the penalties awarded. In addition, Prisoner Casework facilitates investigations by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman in relation to escalated complaints from prisoners. The team may also respond to requests for prisoner information from other governmental departments under the Data Protection Act. The team handles over 4000 cases each year.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties:

• Providing urgent, concise and accurate briefing for Ministers, Private Office, Press Office and other senior officials.
• Providing draft responses for Ministers, the CEO and other senior officials.
• Preparing a first draft of submissions, advice and draft letters on incidents, contentious issues and Ministerial enquiries.
• Monitoring the review of adjudication appeals from prisoners ensuring thorough reviews have been carried out in accordance with the PSI.
• Overseeing the acceptance of PPO's recommendations and drafting the response to the PPO, referring to the Band 5 where appropriate.
• Producing responses to Treat Official cases.
• Producing a first draft of articles for Inside Times.
• Reviewing and monitoring the own caseload, identifying pressure points and finding ways to manage the pressures to ensure business targets are met.
• Initial involvement with complex and high-profile cases flagging up to senior managers where the Press Office and Private Office need to be informed of any cases that are likely to attract media attention.
• Providing Private Office, via their line manager, with urgent advice on sensitive or critical cases.
• Instructing colleagues as to the acceptance or rejection of Ministerial and CEO correspondence within 24 hours of receipt.
• Managing the team inbox to ensure that all correspondence is correctly allocated in a timely fashion.
• Building and sustaining effective working relationships with policy holders and other agencies including the PPO, Police, Government Legal Department, Legal Advisors and prisons.

Behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

Additional Information – 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 (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

Standard full-time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS Flexible Working policy.

Eligibility – All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post. All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS.

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