24957 - Head of Function

Overview of the job

This is a functional management job within an establishment

Summary

The job holder will be responsible for managing a number of work area(s) within the

Residence and Safety function of the establishment. These include Residential units,

Care and Separation Unit, First Night and Induction, Safer Custody and Violence Reduction. As a member of the Senior Management Team, they will contribute and implement their functions objectives as defined in the establishment’s business plan.

This is an operational job with line management responsibilities.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

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

• Ensure all managers and staff within the function provide a respectful, safe decent environment for all prisoners and staff  
• Accountable for the performance of the function and the staff within it. Manage the achievement of qualitative and quantative standards including Service Delivery Indicators (SDI’s) within the function, verifying and signing off documentation as appropriate. Analyses and acts upon data which is relevant to their function
• Accountable for ensuring robust and effective procedures for prisoner engagements are in place
• Accountable for completing Impact Assessments as required for the Single Equality Scheme
• Accountable for ensuring all managers and staff within the function understand, promote and support the Safer Custody Policy and local ‘Listeners’ scheme and Samaritans    
• Accountable for the management of the Care and Separation Unit, First Night and Induction and a Residential area which provides a safe and secure environment for those who need to be segregated for their safety and that of others  
• Accountable for ensuring all Rule 45 prisoners held in the Care and Separation Unit are monitored, reviewed and where appropriate an exit strategy is developed within prescribed timescales
• Accountable for ensuring daily Care and Separation Unit paperwork is quality assured and contributes to Segregation Monitoring and Review Group (SMARG) and provide monthly reports for the Equality Action Team
• Accountable for the establishment suicides and self harm, violence reduction, strategies and ensure that they are implemented across the establishment
• Accountable for contributing towards Death In Custody (DIC) investigations and use information to update the Safer Custody policy where required
• Accountable for ensuring all statistics and trends in relation to Safer Custody are monitored and acted upon, such as the use of force
• Accountable for the Review Quality Assurance processes for Use of Force
• Accountable for carrying out briefings on Assessment Care in Custody Teamwork (ACCT), Security Information Report, observation books and anti-bullying documentation
• Accountable for managing and quality checking the Cell Sharing Risk Assessments database
• Where commissioned, support and promote the implementation and use of Restorative Justice (RJ) face to face victim-prisoner conferencing models, enabling those affected by a particular incident to play a part in repairing the harm and finding a positive way forward
• Accountable for ensuring that Restoration of Remission is reviewed and completed in a timely manner
• Accountable for ensuring procedures are in place to monitor the personal officer scheme or alternative local approach to ensure prisoners needs are met

Undertake other management tasks including:

• Act as the Governor's representative by chairing adjudications and taking charge of day-to-day establishment operations as Duty Governor
• Promote Prison Service policy in all activities and behaviours e.g. promote diversity, decency, safety and reducing re-offending agendas
• Review open Assessment Care in Custody teamwork (ACCT) as and when required in line with audit baselines
• Provide leadership and management of the Function. Will have the skills to apply all Human Resources (HR) related policies and practices and be able to carry out all aspects of people management such as Attendance Management, Disciplinary Investigations, Performance Management and Staff Appraisals
• Manage Prisoners Complaints Process within the Function
• Responsible for ensuring all litigation claims relevant to the area have been dealt with in accordance with policy
• Oversee the compilation and regular progress reporting of performance improvement programmes
• Manage the appropriate authorisation of Financial Compliance Statements
• Manage devolved budgets in accordance with the financial procedures outlined in the budget delegation
• Ensure that the Function produces and analyses audit and establishment performance management information identifying variances and areas requiring improvements
• Contribute to the establishment’s overall achievement of (SDIs) and standards and be accountable for the performance and delivery of targets relating to the budget; People Plan for the Function.
• Accountable for all local and national policies relating to the Function, and ensure procedures implemented are compliant, including the development of new policies
• Contribute to the development and delivery of the medium-to-long term strategic and business plan for the establishment, with overall responsibility for implementation within their Function
• Attend relevant boards/meetings and actively contribute either as chair or team member
• Responsible for ensuring the defined work areas and associated activities comply with Health and Safety legislation. Ensure all risk assessments are undertaken and staff are made aware of their personal responsibility towards Health and Safety compliance
• Work collaboratively and provide constructive challenge to colleagues to ensure that their own and other Functions are joined up and together contribute towards the overall delivery of the establishment’s performance
• Contribute to the preparation of the establishment contingency and emergency plans and ensure implementation when required.
• Ensure the effective use of staff resources and the provision of training and annual leave opportunities
• Produce relevant reports as required and ensure that the response to all correspondence are within agreed timescales
• Carry out investigations and administration in relation to incidents of potential discrimination and report on findings
• Responsible for ensuring 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 plans and Resettlement strategies are delivered
• Deliver and implement projects as directed by the Governor
• Actively encourage staff engagement within the Function to ensure objectives are met

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:

• 2. Changing and Improving
• 3. Making Effective Decisions
• 4. Leading and Communicating
• 5. Collaborating and Partnering
• 9. Managing a Quality Service
• 11. Achieving a Safe and Secure in Environment
• 12. Showing Drive and Resilience
• 14. Persuading and Influencing

Essential Skills/Qualifications/Accreditation/Registration  

If Operational

• Must be successfully accredited as an Operational Manager (or in post as a G5 prior to 1999).
• 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

Hours of Work and Allowances 

37 hour week

This role requires regularly working unpredictable and unsocial hours and be on call to attend their place of work at anytime. 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.

Closing Date: 20/03/2019, 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 - 24957.