58181 - Prison Group Equalities Lead - Non Operational - Yorkshire Prisons Group

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Yorkshire Prisons Group has seven adult male public sector prisons, at any one time we have over 6,000 prisoners and 2800 staff.  This is a critical role driving equality, and ensuring that diversity in all its forms is demonstrably valued for all our staff; and for prisoners.  Our regional team works with the prisons, probation service and partners to advise, assure, apply national policy and best practice, and influence regional and national agendas.

It is essential we can make a big difference on equality and diversity in the next three years and if you think you can apply your expertise and interest to influence that we want to hear from you.  It is a big and multi-faceted agenda and it’s crucial that you can help us to shape a plan for where to focus our attention.

In this region we want and need to recruit, retain and develop staff from diverse backgrounds, and give every individual the best opportunities to achieve and thrive. We want to ensure that every staff member’s voice can be heard and everyone feels respected and included.

We have prisoners with many different protected characteristics and from many different backgrounds and we want to have the best understanding of their needs, how well we are doing in keeping them safe, reducing their reoffending and protecting the public, and where we need to improve.  For example, we are striving to get as many offenders as possible into meaningful learning and employment both in prison and when they leave. We want to understand what works for different groups and adapt our approach accordingly.  Our work includes a strong focus on young adults and those who are neuro-divergent. Once again, we need someone who brings the skill and creativity to make a difference on this agenda.

During this year Yorkshire Prisons Group is placing a particular focus in our delivery plan on achieving outcomes; delivering quality services; and on communication. For equality and diversity this could include a stronger focus on employment outcomes for staff and for prisoners; quality data analysis in the regional team that tells us where we need to focus our efforts, and activity for prisoners that is genuinely purposeful and helps reduce crime; and an approach to communication that means everyone knows what’s going on, and that the concerns and ideas of staff and prisoners from every background and personal characteristic can be heard and listened to.  

In this role you will be part of the regional leadership team, working closely with colleagues in the team itself, with prisons across Yorkshire and the Humber and with partners in probation, wider criminal justice, health, education, employment, local authorities, the voluntary and community sectors and a host of organisations and groups with expertise and interest in equality, diversity and inclusion.

This job is open to internal and external applicants. You do not have to work within HM Prison and Probation Service to make a success of the role, although you may already do so.  The important thing is that you can bring your skills, energy and commitment to drive equality for all across the region, and help us to create and sustain an environment in which diversity of background, personal characteristics, thought and experience is truly valued and nurtured.

Overview of the job

The Equalities Lead will adapt the national Equality Strategy to respond to the equality and diversity challenges, issues and opportunities and drive progress within the Prisons Group. Ensuring equality legislation and policy compliance, innovation, collaborate and deliver positive outcomes for staff and prisoners.

The job holder will be responsible for providing regional equalities advice to establishments within the Region.

Providing assurance to the Deputy Director and Executive Director that prisons within the group are adhering to the equalities policies and procedures.

The job holder will be regionally based, with no line management responsibility.

Summary

The job holder will be responsible for delivering and driving the national Equality strategy at the group level, by acting as an interface between the national Equalities team at HQ and staff in the Prisons Group.

The Equalities Lead will lead and enable Equalities leads in the establishments to improve outcomes, reduce disproportionality and share and encourage learning and innovation.

This is a non-operational job with no direct line management responsibilities. There will, however, be regular structured contact with Equality leads in establishments, with a responsibility to provide support and direction.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

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

·         Build Group understanding of equality and diversity, to meet the needs of the prisoners in our care and to support the development of inclusive and rehabilitative culture.

·         Plan, implement and manage the sharing of knowledge and good practice to inform innovation and improve outcomes across the group.

·         Promote the routine application of the Equality Analysis process consistent with the relevant Instruction.

·         Provide direction for reducing disproportionate outcomes for staff and prisoners and embed a culture of just and fair treatment.

·         Lead on all Equality matters within the group and advise and support PGD and Governors on equality implementation and delivery.

·         Provide policy lead support to all Equality leads within the group on the development of prisoner involvement and engagement, including peer support and prisoner forums.

·         Develop a strategy for the group, involving each prison with the differing diverse needs of each, ensuring access to rehabilitative activities and processes through taking into account reasonable adjustments when required.

·         Provide direction and support for the implementation of relevant legislation review including the delivery of recommendations following the Lammy Review. The changes will need to be at group level, ensuring improved outcomes across establishments.

·         Work collaboratively with other PSP equality advisors to ensure wider development of improved equality outcomes in establishments.

·         Champions a group-wide culture that promotes equality and diversity.

·         Liaise with staff to receive, collate and analyse information to monitor outcomes in all establishments, identifying trends and risks, and engaging and constructively challenging staff to address disparity.

·         Develop and utilise data to identify trends and themes and take appropriate action to maintain and enhance performance across the group, flagging concerns to Governors and the PGD where appropriate.

·         Maintain structured regular contact with senior staff and equality leads in establishments to address equality related matters, as well as ensuring effective communication with HMPPS HQ equality leads.

·         Ensure establishments have proactive equality action plans which are driven by engaged leadership and staff, and set out how the Public Sector Equality Duty will be met.

·         Develop and maintain effective communication and build alliances with external stakeholders to ensure effective delivery and enhance provision into establishments and share learning and best practice.

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.

Behaviours

·         Changing and Improving

·         Making Effective Decisions

·         Communicating and Influencing

·         Leadership

·         Working Together

·         Developing Self and Others

Ability

·         High level written and oral communication skills

·         Good data analysis and analytical skills

·         IT literacy