Senior Probation Officer - Complex Case Support - Performance & Quality - East of England (Ref: 23194) in Godmanchester

Location: Cambridge; Colchester; Hatfield; Huntingdon; Lower Brook St, Ipswich IP4 1AQ, UK; Peterborough; Wisbech; Luton; Kettering; Chelmsford; Victoria Rd S, Chelmsford CM1 1QH, UK; Basildon; Orsett Rd, Grays RM17 5DD, UK; Southend-on-Sea; Wellingborough; Lowestoft; 27 Warkworth St, Cambridge CB1 1EG, UK; Harlow; 41 Harpur St, Bedford MK40 1LY, UK; Walter Tull House, 43-47 Bridge St, Northampton NN1 1NS, UK; Stevenage; Centenary House, 19 Palace St, Norwich NR3 1RT, UK; Bury St Edmunds; George St, Huntingdon PE29 3AD, UK; Cheshunt; Suite 364, 17 Holywell Hill, St Albans AL1 1DT, UK; 49 Bridge St, Peterborough PE1 1ED, UK; King's Lynn; Watford; 2 Civic Cl, St Albans AL1 3LB, UK; the court house, Danesgate, Stevenage SG1 1XH, UKSalary: 46,746

Below covers everything you need to know about what this opportunity entails, as well as what is expected from applicants.
- 48,760 per yearEmployment: Full timeCategory: Senior Social WorkerPosted: 2026-10-16Valid to: 2026-10-29Apply: : HM Prison & Probation ServiceJob summaryPlease refer to Job DescriptionJob descriptionOverview of the job 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 Senior Probation Officers may be required to undertake any combination, or all, of the duties and responsibilities set out below.

• 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.

Technical 1You must hold a Probation Officer qualification or be a qualified Probation Officer.

PQF Honours Degree/Graduate Diploma and Level 5 Diplomain Probation Practice; Or Diploma in Probation Studies; or Diploma in Social Work (Probation option); or CQSW (Probation option)Person specificationPlease refer to Job DescriptionQualificationsYou must hold a Probation Officer qualification or be a qualified Probation Officer.

PQF Honours Degree/Graduate Diploma and Level 5 Diplomain Probation Practice; Or Diploma in Probation Studies; or Diploma in Social Work (Probation option); or CQSW (Probation option)BehavioursWe'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Working TogetherCommunicating and InfluencingMaking Effective DecisionsTechnical skillsWe'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Please refer to Job DescriptionBenefitsAccess to learning and developmentA working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balanceA working culture which encourages inclusion and diversityA Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%Annual LeavePublic HolidaysSeason Ticket AdvanceFor more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: Things you need to knowArtificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience.

Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process detailsThis vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

SecuritySuccessful candidates must undergo a standard (or equivalent) criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirementsThis job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationalsnationals of the Republic of Irelandnationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UKnationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil ServiceFurther information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)Working for the Civil ServiceThe Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities.

As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. Diversity and InclusionThe Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found.

To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).Apply and further informationThis vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available.

You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicantsJob contact : Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries TeamEmail : : Recruitment teamEmail : informationAppointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.

If you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles and would like to raise this, please contact SSCL ( ) in the first instance. xohmjla

If the role has been advertised externally (outside of the Civil Service) and you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission.

For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: