43699 - Assistant Inspector

We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

HM Inspectorate of Probation are the independent source of fair comment for ministers and the public on the effectiveness of the work of probation and youth offending services. Based on our independence, expertise and experience, we can uniquely focus on the identification of best and effective practice. We identify if success has been achieved, how it has been achieved, but also why it has not. We test the effectiveness of the provision and provide assurance. Critically, we make recommendations designed to identify and disseminate best practice, challenge poor performance and encourage improvement. We provide evidence-based intelligence for commissioners and providers, designed to play a key part in facilitating and encouraging improvement in effective service delivery.

Assistant Inspectors (AIs) play a key role in HM Inspectorate of Probation’s inspections of adult and youth offending work. During inspection visits they examine and assess the quality of practice carried out by frontline staff, against HMI Probation’s published inspection standards.

The inspection programme for AIs is demanding and while we are moving towards a hybrid model of inspection (with some inspection activity conducted remotely and some on-site) you may still need to work away from home for a significant amount of time. At times, this may involve being away from home up to three weeks out of four.

In order to undertake the AI role you must:

• have experience of working within or close to probation (in a youth or adult setting)

• have experience of assessing quality of performance against a specified set of standards

• have the ability to communicate clearly and concisely and provide feedback to others in a sensitive and constructive manner.

This experience is likely to be found in applicants who are, or equivalent to, probation officers, senior probation officers, senior YOS officers, operational managers. 

We are offering these posts on a two-year secondment. You should confirm with your employer that, in principle, they are willing to second you before you apply for these posts. 

When joining us on a secondment, remuneration (salary and any taxable allowances), pay progression and employment terms & conditions will be the same as currently received from the seconding employer.  Your office base during your secondment will be your current work location.

We warmly welcome applications from minority ethnic and/or Welsh speaking candidates. 

The option of part time or jobshare contracts can be discussed individually.

Selection Process

You must complete your application by no later than 23:55 on Thursday 27 May 2021. 

We will invite short-listed candidates to an assessment centre, the first part of which will be conducted remotely between the 5–7 July 2021. Candidates MUST be available to attend one of these days, we are unable to offer alternative dates. 

Candidates who are successful at part one of the assessment centre will be invited to part two, which will consist of an interview, based on a blend of Behaviours and Strengths. Interviews will take place between 29 July and 3 August 2021. 

We recruit using the Civil Service Success Profiles https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles 

Further information on the structure and expectations of our assessment centre process will be sent to candidates who are successful through the application sift stage. 

Further information: 

View our website: www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprobation

If you would like to discuss these posts, please contact HMIP.Enquiries@hmiprobation.gov.uk and we will direct you to an appropriate person to speak to. Please make your email, in the Subject line – Assistant Inspector Recruitment May 2021. We would ask that you please read the application information thoroughly first. 

Gall ymgeiswyr sy'n siarad Cymraeg gysylltu â Helen Davies ar 0791 949 0420 os ydynt am drafod y swydd yn Gymraeg. Cysylltwch â corporate@hmiprobation.gov.uk os hoffech gael yr hysbyseb hon a'r disgrifiad swydd yn Gymraeg. Marciwch eich e-bost “Cais am Gyfieithiad Cymraeg – AI”. 

Welsh speaking applicants can contact Helen Davies on 0791 949 0420 if they wish to discuss the position in Welsh. Please contact corporate@hmiprobation.gov.uk if you would like this advert and job description in Welsh. Please mark your email “Request for Welsh Translation – AI”. 

We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all staff. We will not discriminate on grounds of gender, ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, faith or any other factor not relevant to a person's work. 

Overview

Assistant Inspectors (AIs) play a key role in HMI Probation’s inspections of adult and youth offending work. During inspection visits they examine and assess the quality of practice carried out by front-line staff, against HMI Probation’s published inspection standards.

The inspection programme for AIs is demanding and staff will need to work away from home for up to three weeks out of every four on inspection duties and may be required to be away from home in addition to this, for example to undertake training.

Key requirements of the role

• Work as part of HMI Probation’s team of inspection staff by undertaking assessments of front-line practice, including observation of interventions being delivered
• Provide accurate and concise written feedback to lead inspectors on individual cases
• Provide feedback to individual case managers/ responsible officers about their work
• Lead and facilitate meetings of staff groups and service users
• Contribute to HMI Probation’s work on policy areas, based on inspection findings
• Undertake work on joint inspection programmes, working collaboratively with colleagues from other Inspectorates
• Deliver training to probation and youth offending staff on how to assess practice, using HMI Probation’s inspection standards
• Provide briefings to HMI Probation staff on specified subject areas
• Represent the organisation at external meetings
• Recognise and promote diversity issues in all aspects of work
• Undertake other work as allocated by HM Chief Inspector

Person Specification - Success Profiles

Behaviours

Changing and Improving

You identify both negative and positive aspects of practice and communicate this to aid learning. You clearly identify when change is required and always maintain a focus on the benefit of improvement for service users and the public. You create an environment where others can reflect upon their own practice and know their voice will be heard. You know when to escalate issues.

Making Effective Decisions 

You make decisions based on thorough analysis. You clarify your won understanding through collaboration and consultation with others. You arrive at reasonable conclusions after analysing multiple sources.

Communicating and Influencing

You communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing. You communicate openly with a range of stakeholders to ensure objectives are met. You communicate with confidence and respect, adapting your style depending on your audience. You remain open-minded and impartial in discussions.

Working Together

You behave in an open and approachable manner and easily develop good working relationships. You work collaboratively, creating an inclusive working environment where all opinions and challenges are taken into account. You contribute to a strong team spirit amongst the team. You understand others’ needs and motivations and how your work may impact them.

Delivering at Pace 

You maintain a high standard of performance during challenging circumstances. You review and adjust priorities as needed whilst managing competing demands. You communicate your own areas of strength and limitations to ensure optimal contribution. You work with vigour to manage large volumes of data and a demanding workload. 

Ability

Essential

IT Skills

You are confident and competent in the use of Information Technology (e.g. you have experience using Word, Excel, Outlook, a reasonable amount of case management software, etc.).

Verbal and Written Communication Skills

You can communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in written format in order to support others’ understanding. Provides feedback to others in a sensitive and constructive manner.