25155 - Approved Premises Manager

Advertisement for Full-Time, Permanent BAND 5 Approved Premises Manager Post at Jackie Harriet House in Aston (close to M6) - available as either a promotion or transfer opportunity

Are you looking for a fresh challenge and the opportunity to work as part of a supportive, highly motivated management group? This post has become vacant because of several planned internal SPO moves and one colleague retiring from the service in the summer. We aim to recruit to this post early to ensure a high quality, joint handover and induction with the current post holder

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the continued development of a 19 bed, male Approved Premises located in the Aston area of Birmingham, in West Midlands.

The Approved Premises manager has a key role in ensuring the effective, safe management of risks posed by predominantly high risk of harm resident offenders. The post offers the opportunity for some direct work with offenders as well as working with partner organisations. Good partnership skills are important and this Approved Premises benefits from good partner links with substance misuse services, CRISIS and ETE services.

The Approved Premises Manager also supervises and manages the practice of AP staff. In the context of E3 there have been significant changes in the staffing profiles and responsibilities of AP staff and good skills in staff management would be an asset.

Approved Premises managers and staff are currently working on collating relevant evidence to achieve the Enabling Environment Award and JHH is making good progress. The national Approved Premises Performance dashboard is also now well bedded into local AP structures and processes. Both developments help to provide tangible evidence of the excellent work routinely completed by all staff working in AP’s.

This post requires a highly motivated, confident, and flexible Senior Probation Officer. The role can be challenging and emotionally demanding and so resilience is an essential quality.

In addition, all AP Managers are required to assist with providing an out of hours stand by arrangement, which includes evenings and weekends (which is 1 week in 3 currently), for which stand by payments are paid via SOP.

Interviews will expected to be held week commencing 29th April 2019

Overview of the job

This is a management role within the National Probation Service (NPS).

The job holder will be responsible for managing an Approved Premises (AP). They will manage the practice of AP staff within the designated site and ensure the effective management of risk posed by resident offenders.

Summary

The jobholder will manage the efficient and effective operation of the AP. They will supervise AP staff to ensure compliance with NPS strategy for use of AP. They will create and maintain a safe environment ensuring the safety of staff, residents, the public and the premises. They will offer support and cover to other teams/functions during periods of absence.  

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 do.

The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position.

The AP Manager will be expected to participate in an out-of-hours standby duty rota.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

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

• To provide effective management and leadership to the team
• To be accountable for the quality delivery of good practice and team performance improvement within policy and national standards
• To ensure that all team resources, are deployed efficiently and effectively.
• To ensure that staff can efficiently and effectively meet the requirements of the NPS’ contract with NOMS, Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRC) and local business plans as required
• To access, interpret, analyse and apply performance data pro-actively in order to improve function/team performance, evaluate practice and deliver organisational aims
• To proactively manage staff development, issues of underperformance, attendance, health and safety, employee relations and diversity matters. Adopt a consistent, fair and objective standpoint when making decisions in relation to individual staff issues
• To ensure that AP staff manage risk appropriately, and meet all public protection standards and targets
• To contribute directly to public protection through multi-agency arrangements and individual casework review, discussion and feedback
• To ensure that AP staff manage self-harm, wellbeing and social care needs of residents, and carry out First Aid as necessary in the case of injury or selfharm
• To promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement to service delivery
• To manage financial resources as delegated by the AP Area Manager
• In accordance with the business plan, to provide a leading role and direction in work with partners and key stakeholders, and represent the NPS as appropriate to the role
• To facilitate effective communication between the AP management team and internal and external partners
• To respond positively to the concerns of neighbours and the community local to the AP.
• To undertake ‘stand-by’ duties and participate in the ‘out-of-hours’ rota, responding to issues as appropriate
• To ensure the effective functioning of contracts for staffing, facilities and estates as delegated by the AP Area Manager
• As a member of the AP Management Team, to play an active part in the corporate management of the NPS as necessary
• Carry out safeguarding children and safeguarding adult duties in accordance with the NPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies
• To undertake specific areas of responsibility as delegated by the Area Manager and any other duties as appropriate commensurate with the grading of the post
• 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 the Job Evaluation scheme 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:

• Leading and communicating
• Building capability for all
• Collaborating and partnering
• Making effective decisions
• Delivering at pace
• Managing a quality service

Essential Skills / Qualifications/ Accreditation / Registration

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

Qualifications

Essential

• Probation Qualification
• Framework Graduate Diploma/ Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice.
• Or a qualification which was recognised at the time of qualification by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007.

The following qualifications gained in England and Wales were previously recognised as providing such eligibility:

• Diploma in Probation Studies,
• Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)
• CQSW (with Probation Option)
• Diploma in Probation Studies,
• Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)
• CQSW (with Probation Option)

Desirable

• Evidence of  competence in management skills and/or equivalent management qualification.
• Qualification in First Aid

Experience

Essential

• Substantial experience with a proven record of good practice in a variety of settings (including offender risk assessment and management) as a Probation Officer or from working within another criminal justice agency or related work context
• Understanding of the role of the Probation Service in the Criminal Justice System and in a multi-disciplinary setting.
• Knowledge and understanding of the factors which influence engagement with victims Experience of risk management and assessment
• Evidence of ability to evaluate practice
• Evidence of ability to provide a practice perspective on policy development
• Experience of working under pressure and fulfilling demanding deadlines
• Experience of working flexibly as a member of a team to achieve performance targets Experience of contributing to the provision of effective administration and information systems
• Demonstrable achievements in managing/supporting change and effecting improvements in quality and efficiency
• Able to demonstrate well developed IT skills, including evidence of ability to interpret and apply performance reports
• Experience of proactively championing diversity and inclusiveness both internally and externally
• Ability to implement the services health and safety policies
• Evidence of excellent verbal and written communication skills
  

Desirable

• Experience at a comparable management level within a complex multi-disciplinary environment
• Previous experience of effecting staff performance improvements
• Experience of recruitment and selection of staff
• Experience of delivering staff coaching
• Experience of conducting employee relations investigations (e.g. disciplinary, capability, grievances etc.)
• Experience of monitoring and working within budgets.
• Understanding how to interpret and apply HR policy and procedure.
• Understanding of multi-agency risk assessment and management procedures.
• Experience of participating in commissioning and procurement processes or contract management.

Hours of  Work and Allowances

37

Benefits

Additional payments will be made for out of hours work

Closing Date: 3rd April 2019 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 the job reference 25155.