28209 - Quality and Effective Practice Manager

£36,084 - £41,020
2
12 Months
National
National
NATIONAL
Other
NPS Pay Band 5 National
Permanent
Full Time
Business Management & Improvement

The successful applicant, if not based in London, could be regionally based, which would involve working some days from home and/or a local HMPPS hub.   As indicated in the job description, location is flexible however the post will involve regular travel to London and some travel to other locations in England and Wales, which may require some overnight stays.

Following interview, successful candidates will be contacted to review with their prospective line manager, their working arrangements, including location which should meet business need and the working arrangements for that individual.

Overview of the job

The EPP division is responsible for supporting the NPS in improving the quality and effectiveness of Probation practice by overseeing the performance of the NPS and directly managing projects relating to learning, assurance and professional development, including the development of the professional registration framework.  

This is a strategic role within the National Probation Service (NPS). The Quality and Effective Practice Manager supports the Quality & Effective Practice Lead and/or Head of Function to provide a leading role within the unit in respect of quality and effective practice.

Location is flexible, but will involve regular travel to London and some travel to other venues in England and Wales which may require some overnight stays.

Summary

Quality and Effective Practice Managers will lead on the development of projects to improve the quality of work by frontline staff.

The job holder will be expected to manage and lead projects within the functional area and provide 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

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

  • Provide effective leadership of projects relating to areas of probation practice including the design and co-ordination of internal quality assurance activities to demonstrate that offender managers manage risk appropriately and meet public protection standards.
  • Provide specialist effective practice knowledge and understand the changing nature of effective practice in accordance with emerging research.
  • Contribute to the development of Senior Probation Officers using specialist effective practice knowledge.
  • Lead national effective practice projects that support a programme of continuous improvement in consultation with operational colleagues across the NPS.
  • Work with divisional Performance & Quality Managers to promote best practice and practice improvement.
  • Proactively support staff development through production of guidance for delivery of effective practices across the service
  • Contribute to the organisation's response to external inspections and internal audits.
  • Support implementation of change in practices including working with divisions e.g. training and development
  • Contribute to effective practice through the development of processes that promote review, discussion and feedback
  • Promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement to service delivery
  • Facilitate effective communication between the NPS and internal and external partners e.g. HMPPS, HMIP
  • Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes
  • Deputise for the Quality & Effective Practice Lead as required
  • Promote the aims and values of the NPS and HMPPS and reinforce pro social modelling skills by reinforcing pro social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes.
  • Adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position

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.

Competencies

For the purpose of selection the following competencies will be measured:

  • Leading and communicating
  • Changing and improving
  • Collaborating and partnering
  • Seeing the big picture
  • Managing a quality service
  • Delivering at pace

Essential Skills Qualifications, Accreditation & Registration

QUALIFICATIONS  

Essential

  • 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 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)

Desirable

  • Project Management qualification and/or experience.
  • Evidence of competence in management skills and/or equivalent Management qualification.
  • Continuous Improvement or Quality Assurance qualification and/or experience

EXPERIENCE  

Essential

  • Substantial experience with a proven record of good practice in a variety of settings (including offender 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 offenders and victims.
  • Experience of risk management and assessment of offenders, understanding of multi-agency risk assessment and management procedures
  • Evidence of ability to evaluate practice and provide effective feedback.
  • 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

 Desirable

  • Demonstrable experience of project planning, experience of determining the effective use of resources, demonstrate experience of effective communications, demonstrate experience of making successful critical decisions.
  • Experience at a comparable management level within a complex multidisciplinary environment
  • Previous experience of effecting staff performance improvements
  • Experience of delivering staff coaching
  • Understanding how to interpret and apply HR policy and procedure

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

Working Arrangements & Further Information

Standard working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Generous allowances for paid holiday starting at 25 days per year, and rising as your service increases. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

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.

Please note: Any current Civil Servant who is a member of the PCSPS, by accepting an offer of employment to the National Probation Services will be opted out of the PCSPS and auto enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

Eligibility

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post

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.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.

There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Interviews are likely to be held in Mid to late September 2019 and will be in central London or Croydon

30/08/2019, 23:55 hours.

If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk. Please quote the job reference 28209.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role please email  Ian Cavanagh Head of Quality and Effective Practice ian.cavanagh@noms.gsi.gov.uk or Jane.urquhart@justice.gov.uk Quality and Effective Practice Lead and line manager for the advertised post. Please leave a contact number and a convenient time to discuss the role.

Enhanced Baseline Standard

Candidate Information

You may be required to provide statements describing your skills and experience relevant to each of the selection criteria. We recommend that you structure any examples as Situation, Task, Action and Result. For more information about the recruitment process and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

In the event of a large number of applications, we reserve the right to undertake the following processes:


  • An automated online test where a benchmark must be passed to progress;
  • A sift on the lead selection criteria. If this happens, the lead criteria will be the first one listed in the advert.

During the selection process, you may be asked to undertake an additional assessment (such as written test). If this is applicable you will be notified of this when you are invited to interview.



if you feel that your application has not been treated in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance
Building Capability for All
Changing and Improving
Collaborating and Partnering
Seeing the Big Picture
Managing a Quality Service
Delivering at Pace
Qualifications
Essential
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 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)
Desirable
• Project Management qualification and/or experience.
• Evidence of competence in management skills and/or equivalent Management qualification.
• Continuous Improvement or Quality Assurance qualification and/or experience
Experience
Essential
• Substantial experience with a proven record of good practice in a variety of settings (including offender 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 offenders and victims.
• Experience of risk management and assessment of offenders, understanding of multi-agency risk assessment and management procedures
• Evidence of ability to evaluate practice and provide effective feedback.
• 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
Desirable
• Demonstrable experience of project planning, experience of determining the effective use of resources, demonstrate experience of effective communications, demonstrate experience of making successful critical decisions.
• Experience at a comparable management level within a complex multidisciplinary environment
• Previous experience of effecting staff performance improvements
• Experience of delivering staff coaching
• Understanding how to interpret and apply HR policy and procedure

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

We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.


Application form stage assessments

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in 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

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

· UK nationals

· nationals of the Republic of Ireland

· nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK

· nationals 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) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families

· 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 2020

· Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

This Vacancy is closed to applications.