Probation Officers

Overview

To assess and manage the risk posed by people on probation to protect victims of crime and the general public by:

• Providing information and advice to criminal courts, other criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.
• Supervise people on probation subject to community orders and licences and during custodial sentences.
• Contribute to the management of risk.
• Work with other agencies and groups to prevent crime and meet the needs of victims and people on probation.

In line with PS 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 undertake. The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

• To provide professional advice and assessment, including written reports to courts, the Parole Board, other criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.
• To undertake the full range of offender management tasks with people on probation assessed at all levels of risk of serious harm including high and very high.
• To use computer based systems to produce, update and maintain records and other documentation within agreed timescales.
• To ensure timely and effective referrals to, and relationships between, offender management, court teams, victim contact units, interventions, Approved Premises, prisons and external agencies to enhance positive outcomes, manage risk and reduce reoffending.
• To attend professional meetings and represent the PS at appropriate partnership forums e.g. MAPPA, MARAC.
• To work collaboratively with colleagues, maintain effective team relationships and provide professional guidance and support to Probation Services Officers (PSOs) and other staff as appropriate.
• To provide cover within your team and to other teams as required.
• To undertake prison, home or other alternate location visits as required.
• To deliver and co-lead accredited programmes commensurate with grade.
• To conduct mandatory alcohol and drug tests as required, and to follow prescribed medication procedures.
• Carry out safeguarding children duties in accordance with the PS statutory responsibilities and agency policies.

Existing Civil Servants will have their salary calculated in accordance with the Department\’s pay on transfer / pay on promotion rules.

This post is currently advertised without VISOR Vetting to enable appointment to take place as soon as possible, however, VISOR vetting will be required to be completed in due course.

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. For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ\’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on \’modernised\’ terms in their current post or onto \’unmodernised\’ MoJ terms if they are on \’unmodernised\’ terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

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.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.

English Language

An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.

Behaviours

• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

Essential Experience

• Experience of working with a wide variety of people who have experienced a range of social/personal difficulties.
• Experience of working with diverse communities including promoting equality and valuing diversity.
• An understanding and appreciation of equality.
• Experience of working with individuals and groups in order to motivate and change offending behaviour.
• Experience of working with people who have committed offences.

Technical requirements

• You must hold a Probation Officer qualification or be a qualified Probation Officer.
• PQF Honours Degree/Graduate Diploma and Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice; or
• Diploma in Probation Studies; or Diploma in Social Work (Probation option); or CQSW (Probation option).
• Knowledge and understanding of the work of the Criminal Justice System and the Probation Service.
• A working knowledge of relevant legislation and National Standards.
• Knowledge of Evidence Based Practice and risk/needs assessment tools.

Additional Information

• New entrants to the Civil Service will be expected to join at the entry point salary for the advertised band.
• In addition, successful candidates must meet the listed technical requirements above.

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

• Annual Leave: 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years, plus public holidays. Pro-rata for part-time/post.
• Pension: Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) via GMPF. Current Civil Servants will be opted out of PCSPS and auto enrolled into LGPS.
• Training: Extensive training and development opportunities.
• Networks: Employee networks for minority groups and other categories.
• Eligibility/Security: All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.
• Support: Range of Family Friendly policies, flexible benefits, childcare considerations, and more.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets standards of behaviour. We recruit on merit and open competition. If you feel the process breached recruitment principles you may contact the relevant bodies listed in the original content.

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ supports adjustments throughout recruitment and work. Details on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition are available in the original material.

Diversity & Inclusion: The Civil Service is committed to Talent and inclusion; for details see the Civil Service People Plan and Diversity & Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans: The initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme for eligible former Armed Forces members. Further details at gov.uk.

Redeployment Interview Scheme: MoJ provides redeployment opportunities for those at risk of redundancy.