14462 - Probation Officer
Hull & East Riding is a high performing Local Delivery Unit within the NPS North East Division. We are pleased to offer an opportunity to recruit enthusiastic, qualified Probation Officers to join our tea.
Overview of the job
Postholders will undertake the full range of offender management tasks with offenders under supervision; utilising service procedures and practice directions to underpin professional judgement.
Summary
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 to courts, criminal justice agencies and partner organisations, including prisons.
- To undertake the full range of offender management tasks with offenders under supervision; utilising service procedures and practice directions to underpin professional judgement.
- To contribute effectively to the assessment and management of risk by carrying out assessments and reviews on offenders in accordance with national and NPS policies and by implementing plans to reduce risk of harm by further offending
- To motivate offenders to ensure compliance with the requirements of orders and licences and to promote positive outcomes for offenders.
- To engage with the offender in a pro-social manner, to promote change, challenge offending behaviour and to reduce re-offending and protect the public.
- To undertake enforcement action as required in order to comply with National and NPS policy and directions.
- To develop, implement, monitor and review sentence plans in an effective and timely manner working collaboratively with colleagues and providers of interventions, both internal and external to the NPS.
- To complete an overall evaluation of the sentence plan using the appropriate tools and methods
- To utilise an integrated /co-located approach with public, voluntary and private sector agencies.
- To ensure effective referrals to, and relationships between, offender management, interventions, service providers and external agencies to enhance positive outcomes, manage risk and reduce reoffending.
- Participate in quality assurance processes as required and jointly take responsibility within supervision and appraisal process for own professional development
- To work collaboratively with colleagues, provide cover as required and provide professional guidance to other staff as appropriate.
- To use computer based systems to produce, update and maintain reports, assessments, case records and other documentation within agreed timescales and in accordance with Trust policy and practice.
- To undertake home and prison visits as required
- Respond to requests for risk assessment and management advice and/or risk decisions raised by Community Rehabilitation Companies, determine risk level and if high risk decide on how this will be managed.
- To take breach action, case transfer and case closure using NPS procedures as appropriate.
- To promote diversity and anti-discriminatory practice to all service users and staff in line with NPS policies.
- To provide cover within your offender management unit and to other offender management units and intervention units as required.
- To deliver and co-lead accredited programmes commensurate with grade.
- To administer and score psychometric tests on offenders attending accredited programmes.
- Ensure Health and Safety policies and procedures are implemented.
- To undertake any other duties with appropriate support which are commensurate with the grading of the post.
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
- Delivering at pace
- Showing drive and resilience
- Caring
- Persuading and influencing
Essential Skills Qualifications, accreditation & Registration
You must be a qualified Probation Officer and hold one of the following list of qualifications:
Qualifications
ESSENTIAL
PQF Hons 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 equal opportunities and antidiscriminatory practice.
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 (including Crime & Disorder Act 1998) and National Standards.
Knowledge of Evidence Based Practice and risk/needs assessment tools.
Experience of working with people who have committed offences.
Hours of Work (Unsocial Hours)
148 hours per 4 week period (averaging 37 Hours a Week)
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.
24/11/2017, 23:55 hours.
Closing Date: 24th November 2017 at 23:55 hours.
If you require any assistance please call 0845241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail email moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk Please quote the job reference 14462
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 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.
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.