17240 - Band 4 - Non Operational Prison Offender Manager

£25,334 - £28,175
5
12 Months
London
Sutton
HM Prison High Down, SM2 5PJ
EO
Band 4
Permanent
Full Time, Part Time/Job Share
Risk Management, Other

Overview of the job

The job holder will contribute to and lead the assessment of low to medium risk prisoners and prepare, implement, review and evaluate their sentence plans with them. The job holder will build effective, appropriate and supportive relationships with prisoners, with the aim of reducing re-offending.

The job holder will act in a supportive role only to probation officers in the case management of medium to high risk prisoners. The job holder will have undergone selection and additional training to carry out this specialist delivery job as a Prison Offender Manager to prisoners.

This is a non-operational job with no line management responsibilities.

Will have regular prisoner facing activities/duties.

Summary

Typical tasks associated with this role include:

  • Supervise, manage and control prisoners decently, safely and securely whilst carrying out all activities
  • Understand, apply and conform to national and local polices
  • Establish, develop and maintain professional relationships with prisoners and staff
  • Maintain and update systems in line with local agreements
  • Prepare relevant documentation to managers for verification / quality checking purposes
  • Attend and contribute to relevant meetings as required
  • To assess and manage the risk posed by offenders to protect victims of crime and the general public by:
  • Providing information and advice to other criminal justice agencies and partner organisations
  • Supervise offenders during custodial sentences
  • Contribute to the management of risk
  • Work with other agencies and groups to prevent reoffending and meet the needs of victims and offenders

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

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

  • To undertake the full range of offender management tasks with low to medium risk NPS cases and specified CRC cases.
  • No ownership of medium to high risk cases will be held, but support to probation officers in the case management of medium to high risk prisoners will be given when required.
  • As Prison Offender Manager, be involved in all relevant processes in the prison such as ACCT and violence reduction/anti-bullying for those within your case load, if this is applicable.
  • Act as the ACCT Case Manager for individuals if appropriate (Prison Offender Managers should not routinely be used as ACCT Case Managers, only when appropriate to do so, i.e. concerns about Parole Report / sentence dates etc.).
  • Provide risk assessments to support sentence progression on a duty/rota basis for CRC cases.
  • Interview prisoners within prescribed timescales of their arrival. Set and review targets with prisoners and update case management notes on PNOMIS or relevant I.T systems.
  • Use the Offender Assessment System (OASys) to identify risks and manage offenders appropriately.
  • Obtain further information if required from outside agencies to complete a comprehensive OASys report.
  • Lead the sentence planning meeting in order to prepare and review appropriate plans.
  • Coordinate the activities within the sentence plan through liaison with prisoners and other departments and agencies, including gathering and exchanging information and understanding/investigating conflicting opinions on prisoner progress.
  • Encourage and support prisoner to participate in education, interventions and workshops as defined within the sentence plan. Develop strategies to assist prisoners to overcome reluctance to attend.
  • To provide professional advice and assessment, including written reports to criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.
  • Liaise with the Community Offender Managers regarding Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) and Home Detention Curfew (HDC). Make recommendations to the Governor on suitability for early release. Inform relevant agencies of release dates and address of prisoners considered a risk on release.
  • Support Community Offender Managers with the delivery of plans to enable recalled prisoners to be re-released.
  • Complete all paperwork for the cases, including lifer and ISP specific paperwork in line with relevant policies, standards and set timescales.
  • Highlight any prisoner who gives significant concerns by their behaviour to the Heads of Offender Management or Orderly Officer. Concerns may be for a variety of issues, for example, any prisoner who has presented in the past risk of suicide or self harm, or if there are any outstanding concerns with regards to victims or further offences and racial harassment.
  • Contribute to and attend Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) Boards and work with all relevant external agencies to protect the public when releasing prisoners under MAPPA.
  • Liaise with the Foreign National department or UK Border Agency regarding foreign national prisoners, as appropriate.
  • Instigate public protection child contact checks and share relevant safe guarding information with authorities.
  • Undertake the role of the Resettlement Manager for prisoners on the specified caseload. Forge, develop and maintain the links between the programmes, the progress or otherwise made by the participants, and the prisoner’s ongoing path through their sentence
  • To work collaboratively with colleagues and maintain effective team relationships, in particular with Key Workers.
  • Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing prosocial behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes.
  • To use computer based systems to produce, update and maintain records and other documentation within agreed timescales.
  • To work within the aims and values of HMPPS.

 

Undertake other tasks including:

  • Supervise, manage and control prisoners decently, lawfully, safely and securely whilst carrying out all activities
  • Undertakes ‘first on scene’ incident response
  • Maintain and update systems in line with local agreements
  • Prepare relevant documentation for managers for verification / quality checking purposes
  • Attend and contribute to relevant meetings as required
  • Complete and update Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan
  • Establish, develop and maintain professional relationships with prisoners and staff
  • Understand and comply with national/local policies and legislation

 

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:

  • 3. Making Effective Decisions
  • 5. Collaborating and Partnering
  • 12. Showing Drive and Resilience
  • 13. Caring
  • 14. Persuading and Influencing
  • 15. Acts with Integrity

Essential Skills/Qualifications/Accreditation/Registration

Essential

  • Ability to analyse complex information in order to make assessments and decisions
  • Ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing with offenders, professionals, and at hearings such as Parole Boards
  • Ability to empathise constructively with people from diverse backgrounds
  • Experience of working with a diverse range of people who have experienced a range of social/personal difficulties, and of using tact and discretion when dealing with confidential and sensitive issues
  • Understanding of factors related to offending, e.g. substance misuse, accommodation issues
  • Understanding of and commitment to the principles of case management
  • Knowledge and understanding of risk management/risk assessment pertaining to offenders and the impact on victims of crime
  • Experience in planning and coordinating work
  • Experience of working with groups or individuals in order to motivate and change behaviour
  • Experience of working with diverse communities including promoting equality and valuing diversity.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the work of the criminal justice system
  • Experience of working with people who have committed offences
  • Have received Women Awareness Staff Training (WASP) if working in a female establishment
  • Have received Juvenile Awareness Staff Programme (JASP) and child protection training if working in a Juvenile establishment
  • A working knowledge of relevant legislation and National Standards
  • Knowledge of Evidence Based Practice and risk/needs assessment tools
  • The ability to complete all mandatory training as required to support the job role
  • An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh

Desirable

  • Higher level academic qualification(s)

Working Arrangements & Further Information

Some of MoJ’s, including NOMS, 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 for this post are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid.

If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff.

The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.

Benefits

Annual Leave

-The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case.

Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays

-You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays. These hours are added to your annual leave allowance. There is a requirement to work some public and bank holidays subject to your shift pattern and the operational needs of the establishment

Pension

-The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Work Life Balance

-The Prison Service is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements. Work life balance provides greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wherever managers and establishments can accommodate requests to do so. The Prison Service offers flexible working subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period and NVQ

Season Ticket Advance

-After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer-period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work

Childcare Vouchers

-The Prison Service offers a childcare vouchers scheme. The scheme enables staff to take part of their salary in the form of Childcare Vouchers. This is known as a Salary Sacrifice. The vouchers can then be used to help meet the costs of any form of registered or approved childcare for children aged 0-16. The vouchers are exempt from tax and National Insurance contributions

Training

-The Prison Service is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including areas such as Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti Bullying Programmes

-There are opportunities to access promotion programmes and the Prison Service provide a variety of training appropriate to individual posts

-All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles

Eligibility

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

-All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within NOMS

-All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which the Prison Service considers to be racist

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

29/03/2018, 23:55 hours.

Closing Date: 29th March 2018 at 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.

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
Making Effective Decisions
Collaborating and Partnering
Showing Drive and Resilience

Effectiveness in this area is about being consistently motivated, committed and able to perform duties in all situations. People who are effective maintain a personal conviction when faced with resistance. Those who work in establishment must retain a professional approach when confronted by aggression and strong emotion from prisoners. At senior levels, it is about remaining focussed on achieving objectives in the face of resistance, organisational constraints or unforeseen problems.

Caring

Effectiveness in this area is about showing concern for colleagues, prisoners, and others recognising their needs and providing practical support. People who are effective apply and support the decency agenda for staff and prisoners and take into account their actions and decisions on the wellbeing of prisoners, colleagues and others. At senior levels, it is about developing and promoting a culture of care and ensuring that the decency agenda is real and living.

Persuading and Influencing

Effectiveness in this area means listening to each other, using reason and cooperation to reach agreement. We must all seeks to understand others’ perspectives whilst following through on agreements. Those who work in establishments must take time to understand the prisoners’ point of view and encourage prisoners to understand own / establishment’s perspective. At a senior level it is about promoting a culture of open interaction and effective consultation across all levels of the organisation. It is about influencing and involving the right people necessary to get things done.

Acts with Integrity

Effectiveness in this area means consistently acting in a principled, open and conscientiousness manner, and challenging unacceptable behaviour. Those who work in establishments must achieve a balance between excessive distance and familiarity with prisoners whilst dealing with prisoners in a way that is firm and fair. At a senior level it is about promoting a culture in which personal integrity thrives at all levels of the organisation.

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.