22042 - Probation Officers - Midlands Division

£29,038 - £36,084
144
12 Months
East Midlands, West Midlands
Birmingham , Chesterfield , Coventry , Derby , Eccleshall , Evesham , Hereford , Ilkeston , Kidderminster , Leamington Spa , Leicester , Lichfield , Loughborough , Mansfield , Market Drayton , Market Harborough , Newcastle-under-Lyme , Nottingham , Nuneaton , Oakham , Redditch , Retford , Shrewsbury , Solihull , Stafford , Stoke-on-Trent , Sudbury , Telford , Uttoxeter , Walsall , West Bromwich , Wolverhampton , Worcester , Worksop
DERBY MAGISTRATES DERBY, DE1 3JR, G4S BIRMINGHAM, B18 4AS, HM Prison Dovegate, ST14 8XR, HM Prison Featherstone, WV10 7PU, HM Prison Gartree, LE16 7RP, HM Prison Hewell, B97 6QS, HM Prison Long Lartin, WR11 5TZ, HM Prison Lowdham Grange, NG14 7DA, HM Prison Oakwood, WV10 7QD, HM Prison Ranby, DN22 8EU, HM PRISON STAFFORD STAFFORD, ST16 3AW, HM Prison Stocken, LE15 7RD, HM Prison Sudbury, DE6 5HW, HMP NOTTINGHAM NOTTINGHAM, NG5 3AG, HMYOI Brinsford, WV10 7PY, HMYOI DRAKE HALL ECCLESHALL, ST21 6LQ, HMYOI Stoke Heath, TF9 2JL, HMYOI Swinfen Hall, WS14 9QS, LEICESTER CROWN LEICESTER, LE1 6HG, MANSFIELD MAGISTRATES MANSFIELD, NG19 6EE, NOTTINGHAM MAGISTRATES & AIT NOTTINGHAM, NG2 1EE, NPS 11-28 LOWER ESSEX STREET BIRMINGHAM, B5 6SN, NPS 12 SOUTHFIELD ROAD LOUGHBOROUGH, LE11 2HZ, NPS 2 COBDEN STREET LEICESTER, LE1 2LB, NPS 3-4 SHAW STREET WORCESTER WORCESTER, WR1 3QQ, NPS 34 SOUTH STREET ILKESTON, DE7 5QJ, NPS 76 WALSALL ROAD BIRMINGHAM, B42 1SF, NPS 826 BRISTOL ROAD BIRMINGHAM, B29 6NA, NPS 9 CASTLE QUAY NOTTINGHAM, NG7 1FW, NPS CENTENARY HOUSE BIRMINGHAM, B33 0NL, NPS CHESTERFIELD MAGISTRATES COURT CHESTERFIELD, S41 7TW, NPS COVENTRY MAGISTRATES COURT COVENTRY, CV1 2SQ, NPS Derby Crown Court, DE1 2XE, NPS DERWENT COURT DERBY, DE1 2FZ, NPS GAOL STREET HEREFORD, HR1 2HU, NPS LONGTON POLICE STATION STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 1HH, NPS MALINSGATE TELFORD, TF3 9HX, NPS MELBOURNE HSE STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST1 5RQ, NPS NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE JUSTICE CENTRE NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME, ST5 5DT, NPS PROBATION OFFICE MANSFIELD, NG18 1ER, NPS PROBATION OFFICE WORKSOP, S80 2AS, NPS PRUE EARL HOUSE WOLVERHAMPTON, WV1 3JS, NPS Queen Elizabeth 2nd Crown Court, B4 7NA, NPS SHERIFF'S COURT COVENTRY, CV1 1EY, NPS SHREWSBURY PROBATION OFFICE SHREWSBURY, SY2 6AS, NPS Stafford Crown Court, ST16 2QQ, NPS STOURBANK HOUSE KIDDERMINSTER, DY11 6XA, NPS UNITS 1- 4 AND 7 WINDSOR COURT REDDITCH, B97 4BT, NPS UNITY HOUSE WEST BROMWICH, B70 7PQ, NPS Walsall Magistrates Court, WS2 8DR, NPS WALSALL PROBATION COMPLEX WALSALL, WS1 3QE, NPS WARWICKSHIRE CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTRE NUNEATON, CV11 4JU, NPS WARWICKSHIRE JUSTICE CTR LEAMINGTON SPA LEAMINGTON SPA, CV32 4EL, NPS Wolverhampton Crown Court, WV1 3LQ, STOKE ON TRENT COMBINED STOKE ON TRENT, ST1 3BP
Other
NPS Pay Band 4 National
Permanent
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working, Other
Probation Officer

Probation Officers currently employed within the NPS Midlands Division are not eligible to apply for these posts. 

About the role

As a Probation Officer, you’ll handle the full range of offender management tasks for people who are under supervision. It will include assessment, implementation and producing reports, as well as using service procedures and practice directions to underpin your own professional judgement.

It could see you providing information and advice to professional courts and other criminal justice agencies, and supervising offenders who are subject to community orders and licences or while they’re under custodial sentence.

You’ll also contribute to the management of risk and work with other agencies and groups with the aim of preventing crime and meeting the needs of both victims and offenders. Of course, you’ll be committed to equality and inclusion throughout.

About you

We need people who have a PQF Honours degree or Graduate Diploma and Level 5 in Probation practice. Or you could have a Diploma in Probation Studies or Social Work with the Probation option, or a CQSW with the Probation option. The Probation choice will be the most important part of your qualifications to us, so please get in touch if you’ve studied it.

Beyond your certificates, we’ll be looking for experience in dealing with people who have had social or personal difficulties. Diversity and equality will be second nature to you, and a background of working with individuals and groups to change offending behaviour will be essential.

About us

By managing offenders in the community, the National Probation Service protects the public from the effect of crime and gives offenders the chance to turn their lives around. Join us and you’ll be part of a supportive team that thrives on sharing knowledge and expertise.

For more information visit http://www.qualifiedprobationofficer.com/

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.
  • 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

Hours of Work (Unsocial Hours)

37 Hours a Week

If relevant to the role, some out of hours working may be required

Post holders assigned to roles within a prison establishment are eligible for a £675 per annum (pro rata for part time) prison allowance

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

Generous allowances for paid holiday starting at 25 days per year, and rising as your service increases. 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 salary sacrifice arrangements for childcare vouchers, and voluntary benefits such as retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • 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 are expected to be held during December 2018

30/11/2018, 23:55 hours.

Closing Date: 30th November 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.


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
Making Effective Decisions
Changing and Improving
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.

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.
 Experience of working with people who have committed offences.

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.