35675 - Senior Probation Officer - HMP Warren Hill

£36,084 - £41,020
1
12 Months
East of England
Ipswich
HM PRISON & YOI WARREN HILL WOODBRIDGE, IP12 3BF
Other
NPS Pay Band 5 National
Permanent
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working, Other
Operational Delivery

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

HMYOI Warren Hill is a unique custodial environment. Rolled as a male Category C establishment, Warren Hill accommodates 256 men who are either part of the Therapeutic Community (40 beds), the PIPE (20 beds) or the Progression Regime (194 beds). Warren Hill is the first whole, male, closed establishment to achieve Enabling Environment status (2019). The vision for Warren Hill is to “Establish an environment that enables everyone to peacefully reside, respecting each other at all times no matter what. Maintaining open channels of communication and participating constructively, striving for conditions of success”.

Overview 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 under performance, 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.

Behaviours

  • Working Together
  • Developing Self and Others
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Leadership

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

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

  • 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)
Yes - Prison Allowance £675 per annum

Qualifications
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)

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

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. 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.

To be confirmed. These will be taking place virtually via the Teams app.

17/08/2020, 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@gov.sscl.com. Please quote the job reference - 35675.
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.

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
Leadership - 250 word limit
Communicating and Influencing - 250 word limit
Working Together - 250 word limit
Developing Self and Others - 250 word limit
Making Effective Decisions - 250 word limit
Managing a Quality Service - 250 word limit
Delivering at Pace - 250 word limit
Experience
CV
Statement of Suitability - 750 word limit
Technical Skills
Understanding of the role of the Probation Service in the Criminal Justice System and in a multi-disciplinary setting - 250 word limit
Knowledge and understanding of the factors which influence engagement with victims - 250 word limit
Able to demonstrate well developed IT skills, including evidence of ability to interpret and apply performance reports - 250 word limit

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.
Behaviours
Developing Self and Others
Making Effective Decisions
Managing a Quality Service
Delivering at Pace
Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance.

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.