Probation Officers

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. 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 ensure that staff can efficiently and effectively meet the requirements of the NPS\’ contract with HMPPS, Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRC) and local business plans as required
• 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. Adopt a consistent, fair and objective standpoint when making decisions in relation to individual staff issues
• 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 and policies. To authorise expenditure within financial limits
• In accordance with the business plan, to provide a leading role and direction in work with partners and key stakeholders, and represent the NPS as appropriate to the role
• 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
• Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes
• 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

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 Job Evaluation and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.

Homelessness Prevention Taskforce – Operational Delivery of CAS3

As SPO in the Homelessness Prevention Taskforce, you will be responsible for operational delivery of the Community Accommodation Scheme (aka CAS3). This will involve monitoring and evaluating the programme, processing referrals and supporting PDUs with placements and risk management and dealing with any incidents or complaints. The role will also involve extensive partnership working, liaising with suppliers to ensure contractual obligations are being met, meeting with Local Housing Authorities and commissioned services to develop housing pathways for our cases and being an ambassador for the Probation Service. You will also be required to prepare and deliver reports and presentations regarding the progress of the CAS3 scheme. As part of a geographically dispersed team, covering nine Probation Delivery Units, you will need a flexible approach to working to engage with stakeholders and to maintain a cohesive team.

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. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone\’s circumstances. 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.

Behaviours – Application Form

Word limit 250. Communicating and Influencing. Delivering at Pace. Leadership. Managing a Quality Service. Working Together.

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
• Proficiency in English (or Welsh where required in Wales)

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. The following qualifications gained in England and Wales were previously recognised as providing such eligibility:
• Diploma in Probation Studies
• Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)
• CQSW (with Probation Option)

Benefits

• Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years\’ service, plus public holidays. Leave for part‑time and job‑share posts will be calculated on a pro‑rata basis.
• The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF). Please visit www.gmpf.org.uk for further information.
• The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
• Employee‑run networks provide advice and support and enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed directly to senior management.
• Family‑Friendly policies such as reduced hours or job share.
• Flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission\’s recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order:

1. To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm) or email moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
2. To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
3. To the Civil Service Commission (details available here).

Disability Confidence

The MoJ is a Disability Confident employer and is committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. A disabled candidate who meets the minimum selection criteria can request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If additional help completing the application form is needed, contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team. For more information on applying as a candidate with a disability or long‑term condition, watch our animated videos.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attracting, retaining and investing in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The MoJ’s “Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans” initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme for eligible former members of the Armed Forces. For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans.

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed to providing opportunities to those who are at risk of redundancy.