6758 - Custody Probation Officer
HMP/YOI Standford Hill, HMP/YOI Elmley and HMP Swaleside are all located on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent. This is an exciting opportunity for experienced qualified Probation Officers to work within a busy Offender Management Unit in one of the three prisons, including Category B - D conditions. Custody Probation Officers working within the Offender Management Unit hold a caseload of High Risk of Serious Harm and Indeterminate Sentenced Prisoners who have a range of complex needs, usually having spent a considerable amount of time incarcerated. As part of a growing team, working alongside both NPS and HMPS staff, Custody Probation Officers play a pivotal role in supporting the rehabilitation and resettlement of offenders, whilst ensuring the public are appropriately protected.
Probation Officers deployed into the Custody Offender Management Unit role will be required, where applicable, to undertake the full range of tasks defined in the NPS Job Description for Probation Pay Band 4.
Working specifically with NPS cases in the Custody Offender Management Unit;
To supervise NPS cases assessed as presenting a high/very high ROSH, or deemed to be of high complexity:
- To motivate offenders to ensure compliance with the requirements of their sentence plan and to promote positive outcomes for offenders.
- To undertake structured one to one supervision work with offenders to aid engagement with programme interventions and to address offending behaviours when programmes are not available/suitable.
- To use computer based systems to produce, update and maintain reports, assessments, case records and other documentation within agreed timescales and in accordance to HMPS and NPS policy and practice.
- To ensure effective referrals to, and relationships between the offender and agencies within HMPS to enhance adherence to the sentence plan, manage risk and needs, and reduce reoffending.
- To work collaboratively with colleagues and partnership agencies to ensure the Through The Gate resettlement function is delivered effectively.
- To provide advice and guidance to HMPS Band 4 Offender Supervisors, including countersigning OASys.
- To actively attend/contribute to Assessment, Care in Custody & Teamwork (ACCT) reviews.
- To ensure recalled NPS prisoners are effectively managed within required timescales, including facilitating meetings with the Offender Manager and undertaking work required to achieve a safe, early re-release.
- To engage in the Enhanced Behaviour Monitoring process to effectively manage risk, in line with HMPS/NPS policy.
- To engage in the Restricted ROTL process to effectively manage risk, in line with HMPS/NPS policy.
- To work collaboratively with relevant agencies to promote and implement the Preventing Extremism Strategy within your establishment...
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 prosocial 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.
Competencies
The following competencies from the Civil Service Competency Framework will be used for selection purposes:
- Making effective decisions
- Changing and Improving
- Caring
- Delivering at pace
- Persuading and influencing
- Collaborating and partnering
Essential Skills Qualifications, accreditation & Registration
You must hold a Probation Officer qualification or be a qualified Probation Officer. In addition, successful candidates must hold the following:
Qualifications
ESSENTIAL
- 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) Experience
ESSENTIAL
- 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.
- 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.
An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh
Experience of working with people who have committed offences.
Hours of Work (Unsocial
Hours) 37 Hours a Week
If relevant to the role some out of hours working may be required
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is as 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.
Custody Environmental Allowance £675
This Kent post also attracts Market Forces Supplement of £3016 attracting a salary of £32054 (made up of Basic Salary £29038 and MFS £3016) which will be in place for a minimum of five years and would be taken into account in any proposals to reform NPS pay in the future.
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.
30/03/2017, 23:55 hours.
Closing Date: 30th March 2017 at 23:55 hours.
If you require any assistance please call 0845 010 3508 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail hr-recruitment-enquiries@noms.gsi.gov.uk.
Please quote job reference.
If you require specific information about the role please contact:
Tom Strong- Custody Senior Probation Officer by email tom.strong@noms.gsi.gov.uk
Jo Wickens - Custody Senior Probation Officer by email jo.wickens@hmps.gsi.gov.uk
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.
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.
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.
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
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.