26334 - Supervising officer

£27,062 - £30,096
3
12 Months
London
London
HM Prison Brixton, SW2 5XF
EO
Band 4
Permanent
Full Time
Operational Delivery

HMP Brixton also houses the London Pathway Unit (LPU). The service forms part of the pathway for high risk high harm personality disordered male offenders from the London area, and is an integral part of the network of service provision established since 2013 under the Offender Personality Disorder Programme, which is jointly commissioned by NHS England and the National Offender Management Service (NOMS). The LPU is a joint criminal justice and health operation; the delivery partners are HMP Brixton, the London Pathways Partnership (LPP1) and the National Probation Service.

The LPU is designed for high risk high harm offenders who have complex needs arising from pervasive psychological difficulties (which may meet the criteria for personality disorder), who have a realistic prospect of release or a progressive move within two years, and whose progression and safe release into the community is complicated by their personality difficulties. The service is located on a 36-single cell annexe on a normal residential unit at HMP Brixton. The LPU provides a range of treatment and support interventions aiming to assist prisoners by means of a psychologically-informed understanding of the particular difficulties and risk, and a relational context that enables them to develop a meaningful and realistic desistance plan.

It would be useful to comment on any previous experience in this type of intervention or if this is of interest to you during interview, if selected.


Summary


The job holder will provide day-to-day supervision and support for Prison Officers and Operational Support Grades (OSG), co-ordinating the delivery of the regime and activities within a Residential Unit in an establishment.


The job holder will co-ordinate initial staff response until a Custodial Manager is in attendance.


The job holder will undertake Regime Officer duties via the establishment's rota and may be required on a rotational basis to be responsible for the establishment during the night period. This requirement will be based upon local risk assessment and establishment complexity.  


This is an operational job with no line management responsibilities; however they will have supervisory responsibilities for staff.


Responsibilities, Activities and Duties


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


  • Supervise and support staff during prisoner activities; including exercise and association
  • Supervise the locking and unlocking of prisoners
  • Supervise the Personal Officer strategy, ensuring completion of reports on prisoners as requested, within time limits set, which contribute to sentence planning and prisoner progress
  • Encourage staff to promote responsible and respectful behaviour in prisoners
  • Receive and progress applications and complaints
  • Supervise the updating and maintenance of prisoner records
  • Supervise the completion of accommodation fabric checks
  • Supervise the completion of all administration in support of main duties including ordering cleaning materials and completing regime monitoring

If Residential Unit is used as First Night/Induction accommodation the following will also be part of this job:

  • Supervise and co-ordinate all staff that work within the First Night Centre/ Induction ensuring all procedures are adhered to
  • Supervise and check that all prisoners receive the First Night initial needs assessment
  • Supervise and check all prisoners located on the wing/unit and received from Reception are provided with their basic entitlements
  • Supervise and coordinate the local systems which are in place for all prisoners to speak to a Listener and Peer Support prisoner
  • Supervise and check all paperwork has been completed e.g. initial assessments of prisoners from Reception are logged on the prisoner database and approved Cell Sharing Risk Assessment (CSRA)
  • Supervise delivery of the induction programme so that no prisoner is moved before they have completed all elements

If Residential Unit is used as Care and Separation Unit (CASU) accommodation the following will also be part of this job:


  • Supervise officers to ensure that Care and Separation Unit is cleaned and maintained to a high standard and that checks are completed
  • Support and assist adjudications and the processes involved
  • Supervise, co-ordinate and check that adjudication results have been recorded
  • Support the Fast track appeals for adjudications
  • Supervise and advise staff on the adjudications process and check all adjudication paperwork is correct including any relevant evidence available
  • Supervise and monitor the content of any Care Plans, Case Notes and Observation book entries and Rule 45  
  • Supervise and co-ordinate the escorting of prisoners to the adjudication room and supervise during the hearing
  • Supervise and co-ordinate completed adjudication paperwork forwarding to relevant departments for information and updating the prisoner database
  • Supervise and co-ordinate referrals for the Independent Adjudicator
  • Supervise and co-ordinate staff to deal with prisoners on dirty protest as and when applicable
  • Supervise and ensure correct observation levels and records of hourly checks of all prisoners awarded cellular confinement is undertaken by unit staff
  • Co-ordinate Control and Restraint paperwork after incident, including supporting staff and attending any necessary de-briefs    
  • Coordinate and ensure completion of all observation paperwork regarding special accommodation mechanical restraints and dirty protests
  • Co-ordinate mandatory Drug Test referrals with the relevant department/ agencies

Undertake other Supervisory tasks including:


  • Supervise all staff within their area of responsibility ensuring they are briefed on the work for the day
  • Prepare and deliver team briefings and handovers as appropriate
  • Supervise and prioritise activities in-line with local procedures ensuring workload/regime is delivered escalating issues to Custodial Manager when required
  • Promotes Prison Service policy in all activities and behaviours by promoting diversity, decency, safety and reducing re-offending agendas
  • Supervise and support Prison Officers and other staff when dealing with prisoner applications and other issues raised by prisoners
  • Supervise and support Prison Officers with actions arising from Standard Audit, Her Majesty Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) Action Plans, Managing Quality of Prison Life (MQPL) surveys including local self audit action plan
  • Co-ordinate any paperwork for the Incentive and Earned Privileges (IEP) scheme, completing relevant documentation for submission to Custodial Manager
  • Support and create a safe working environment for staff, prisoners and visitors by adhering to Health and Safety legislation, ensuring Safe Systems of Work (SSOW) and Risk Assessments are followed reporting incidents to Custodial Manager
  • Coach and mentor staff including new recruits and arrange for other staff to provide mentoring support as required Prison Officer Entry Level Training (POELTs) and new graduates
  • Co-ordinate and collate data concerning their area of work
  • Co-ordinate initial staff response at the scene of an incident until a Custodial Manager is present
  • Contribute to the development and application of local policy, procedures and practice
  • Contribute to staff appraisals by providing relevant performance information to line managers
  • Allocate daily staff resources to activity within their Unit where appropriate
  • Manage a caseload of Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) within their work area
  • Discharging prisoners subject to local Risk Assessment
  • Carry out checks as required e.g. Cell Sharing Risk Assessment (CSRA), Incentives and Earned Privileges (IEP)

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  


All of the competencies in the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) Competency and Qualities Framework are relevant to this group profile. For the purpose of selection the following competencies will be measured:


  • 4. Leading and Communicating
  • 9. Managing a Quality Service
  • 12. Showing Drive and Resilience
  • 11. Achieving a Safe and Secure in Environment
  • 13. Caring
  • 14. Persuading and Influencing

Essential Skills/Qualifications/Accreditation/Registration  


The job holder must have been accredited as a Prison Officer by successfully completing Prison Officer Entry Level Training (POELT). The job holder must have successfully completed their probationary period. For those appointed from 2007 onwards, this includes achievement of the Custodial Care National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) 3.


Will be competent in custodial procedures, including dynamic risk assessment and must be trained and annually refreshed in control and restraint techniques.


NOMS staff newly promoted to a Band 4 Supervising Officer or Facilities and Services


Supervisor role within Establishments will be required to undertake the Diploma in Team Leading. Newly promoted staff are expected to complete the qualification as part of the requirement of their role.


Staff newly promoted into Band 4 Offender Supervisors or Specialist Officer roles within establishments will be expected to undertake the Diploma if they are covering or carrying out the role of Supervising Officer on a ‘regular’ basis.


Staff working in establishments who were mapped to a Band 4 Supervising Officer or Facilities and Services Supervisor role as part of the F&S restructuring process and staff who have re-graded to Band 4 from a higher grade are not required to complete the qualification as they have previously worked at an equivalent level (or higher).


When transferring to a Young Persons establishment the job holder will be required to successfully undertake an assessment to demonstrate suitability to work with Young People.


An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh


Hours of Work and Allowances


37 hour working week (standard).


NOMS Staff on closed pay structures only:


Additional Conditioned Hours Pensionable (ACHP)


Staff moving from a closed 39 hour pay structure will be eligible for the two protected pensionable additional committed hours (ACHP). They will work a 39 hour week consisting of the standard 37 hour week and a further 2 additional hours (ACHP) paid at plain time pensionable rate.


Unsocial Hours Working:


This role requires working regular unsocial hours and a 17% payment will be paid in addition to your basic pay to recognise this. Unsocial hours are those hours outside 0700 - 1900hrs Monday to Friday and include working evening, nights, weekends and Bank / Public holidays.






The job holder must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English or (when specified in Wales) Welsh.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

Some of MoJ’s, including HMPPS, 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

-HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) 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. HMPPS 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

For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers

 

Training

-HMPPS 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 HMPPS 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 HMPPS

-All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which HMPPS 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.

Expected 3rd June - 17th June 2019

24/05/2019, 23:55 hours.

If you require any assistance please call 02085886019 david.coldrick@hmps.gsi.gov.uk (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk. Please quote the job reference - 26334.
Please note the successful applicant will need to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Security Check for this post.

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
Achieving a Safe and Secure Environment

Being effective in this area is a key responsibility for all of us to both protect the public and prevent victims. We must all promote and contribute to an orderly, safe and secure environment both within our own unit / establishment and across the whole of the Agency. Those who work in establishments must support the principles of dynamic security by treating the needs of prisoners individually; developing controlled, professional relationships with prisoners; and contributing to a constructive regime. At senior levels, it is about creating strategies, policies and processes that contribute to the achievement of a safe and secure living and working environment.

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.

Changing and Improving
Delivering at Pace
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.

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.