35874 - Probation Officer

£29,038 - £37,174
10
12 Months
South East, South West
Aylesbury , Bicester , Milton Keynes , Oxford
HM Prison Bullingdon, OX25 1PZ, NPS 2A WYNNE JONES CENTRE AYLESBURY, HP21 7RL, NPS MACMILLAN HOUSE OXFORD, OX1 1BN, NPS Milton Keynes Magistrates Court, MK9 2YK
Other
NPS Pay Band 4 National
Permanent
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working, Other
Probation Officer

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

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 high.
  • 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 attitudes.
  • 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 difficulties.
  • Experience of working with diverse communities including promoting equality and valuing diversity.
  • An understanding and appreciation of equality 
  • Experience of working with individuals and groups in order to motivate and change offending behaviour.
  • Experience of working with people who have committed offences.

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

Market Forces Allowance

In addition, an additional allowance of £1771 per annum maybe available to external recruits (i.e. those not currently employed by the Civil Service) joining at this location. This payment will be made in 12 monthly instalments. This allowance is not pensionable and will be regularly reviewed in accordance with business needs and may continue, removed or be paid at a new value.

You must hold a Probation Office qualification to apply for this post.  Before applying please refer to the job description for a list of essential qualifications.  Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualification criteria will be screened out.

We have vacancies for Probation Officers in the following internal functions:-

Courts - Oxford and Aylesbury/Wycombe

Offender Management - Aylesbury, Milton Keynes and Oxford

Prison - HMP Bullingdon

Market Forces Allowance

In addition, an additional allowance of £1771 per annum maybe available to external recruits (i.e. those not currently employed by the Civil Service) joining at this location. This payment will be made in 12 monthly instalments. This allowance is not pensionable and will be regularly reviewed in accordance with business needs and may continue, removed or be paid at a new value.

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.

Interviews expected to be held via Microsoft Teams or Skype during week commencing 14th September 2020

14/08/2020, 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 - 35874.
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
Changing and Improving - 500 word limit
Communicating and Influencing - 500 word limit
Delivering at Pace - 500 word limit
Making Effective Decisions - 500 word limit
Working Together - 500 word limit

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.