67142 - Qualified Probation Officer

Probation Officer

£30,812 - £38,289 (plus a London Weighting Allowance of £4,006)
70
12 Months
South East
Ashford (Kent) , Brighton and Hove , Canterbury , Chatham , Crawley , Eastbourne , Folkestone , Gravesend , Guildford , Hastings , Lewes , Littlehampton , Maidstone , Margate , Ramsgate , Redhill , Royal Tunbridge Wells , Sittingbourne , Staines , Worthing
BRIGHTON MAGISTRATES BRIGHTON, BN2 0LG, CANTERBURY MAGISTRATES CANTERBURY, CT1 2UE, CRAWLEY MAGISTRATES CRAWLEY, RH10 8BF, GUILDFORD CROWN GUILDFORD, GU1 4ST, HASTINGS MAGISTRATES HASTINGS, TN34 1ED, HM Prison Bronzefield, TW15 3JZ, HM Prison Coldingley, GU24 9EX, HM PRISON EAST SUTTON PARK MAIDSTONE, ME17 3DF, HM Prison Elmley, ME12 4AY, HM Prison Ford, BN18 0BX, HM PRISON MAIDSTONE MAIDSTONE, ME14 1UZ, HM PRISON ROCHESTER ROCHESTER, ME1 3QS, HM Prison Send, GU23 7LJ, HM Prison Standford Hill, ME12 4AA, HMP SWALESIDE - SINGLE PORTIONS WORKSHOP SHEERNESS, ME12 4AX, HMYOI LEWES LEWES, BN7 1EA, MAIDSTONE MAGISTRATES MAIDSTONE, ME15 6LL, MARGATE MAGISTRATES COURT, CT9 1LG, NPS 17 GARDEN ROAD TUNBRIDGE WELLS, TN1 2XP, NPS 47 GRAND PARADE BRIGHTON, BN2 9QA, NPS 56-58 COLLEGE ROAD MAIDSTONE, ME15 6SJ, NPS BELL HOUSE SITTINGBOURNE, ME10 4DH, NPS COLLEGE HOUSE GUILDFORD, GU1 4RS, NPS COUNTY BUILDING LITTLEHAMPTON, BN17 6AP, NPS DARRINGTON HOUSE MARGATE, CT9 1UW, NPS FOLKESTONE MAGISTRATES COURT FOLKESTONE, CT20 2DH, NPS GOFFS PARK HOUSE CRAWLEY, RH11 8PB, NPS JOYNES HOUSE GRAVESEND, DA11 0AT, NPS Lewes Crown Court, BN7 1YB, NPS MEDWAY MAGISTRATES COURT CHATHAM, ME4 4JZ, NPS NEW ROAD CHATHAM, ME4 4QQ, NPS RALPHS CENTRE CANTERBURY, CT1 3RH, NPS SWAN HOUSE STAINES, TW18 1AJ, NPS WORTHING PROBATION OFFICE WORTHING, BN11 2BE, STAINES MAGISTRATES STAINES, TW18 1XH, SUSSEX PROBATION BOARD HOVE, BN3 1TL, WORTHING MAGISTRATES WORTHING, BN11 1JE, NMS Forum House, Redhill, RH1 6YS, NMS Templar House, TN23 1PL, NPS ASHFORD CENTRAL REFERRAL UNIT KENT, TN24 8XU, NPS YOS THANET & DOVER RAMSGATE, CT11 9SA
Other
NPS Pay Band 4 London, NPS Pay Band 4 National
Permanent
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working, Other
Probation Officer

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Overview of the job          

Post holders will undertake the full range of offender management tasks with offenders under supervision including assessment, sentence implementation and producing reports; utilising service procedures and practice directions to underpin professional judgement.

Summary          

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

  • Providing information and advice to criminal courts, other criminal justice agencies and partner organisations
  • Supervise offenders 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 offenders

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 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          

Probation Officers may be required to undertake any combination, or all, of the duties and responsibilities set out below.

  • 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 offenders assessed at all levels of risk of serious harm including high and very
  • 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 NPS 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 Officer (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
  • Respond to risk escalation requests raised by Community Rehabilitation Companies, determine risk level and if high risk (endorsed by a manager) decide on how this will be managed
  • 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 NPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies
  • Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and
  • To work within the aims and values of NPS and NOMS

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.

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
  • Experience of working with diverse communities including promoting equality and valuing
  • An understanding and appreciation of equality
  • Experience of working with individuals and groups in order to motivate and change offending
  • Experience of working with people who have committed

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

Technical requirements    

You must hold a Probation Officer qualification or be a qualified Probation Officer. In addition, successful candidates must hold the following:

  • 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
  • A working knowledge of relevant legislation and National
  • Knowledge of Evidence Based Practice and risk/needs assessment
The job holder must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English or (when specified in Wales) Welsh.

Staines - London Weighting of £4,006 per annum

Prison locations - Prison Supplement of £695 per annum

Qualifications
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))
Please provide details of all relevant qualifications you hold along with any relevant knowledge of working in a Probation environment.

Vacancies exist throughout Kent, Surrey and Sussex Region both in Community, Courts and Prison locations.

Vacancies at Staines will attract London Weighting of £4,006 per annum

Vacancies at Prison locations attract a Prison Supplement of £695 per annum

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

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

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

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.

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

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 moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • 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

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are 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. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

To be confirmed

01/12/2022, 23:55 hours.

If you would like further information about the role and locations please contact - KSSHREnquiries@justice.gov.uk

If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com. Please quote the job reference - 67142.

Please note the successful applicant will need to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Security Check for this post.

Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.

In the event that we receive a large volume of applications we reserve the right to conduct the sift based on one lead behaviour. The chosen lead behaviour for this campaign is Making Effective Decisions.
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

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

Behaviours
Making Effective Decisions - 250 word limit
Changing and Improving - 250 word limit
Working Together - 250 word limit
Delivering at Pace - 250 word limit
Experience
Statement of Suitability - 500 word limit
Technical Skills
Please demonstrate your suitability against the following criteria - Knowledge and understanding of the work of the Criminal Justice System and the Probation Service / Knowledge of Evidence Based Practice and risk/needs assessment tools / A working knowledge of relevant legislation and National Standards - 250 word limit
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Making Effective Decisions, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.
Behaviours
Making Effective Decisions
Changing and Improving
Working Together
Delivering at Pace
Additional Assessment(s)
Role Play
Scenario role play

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.