60546 - Engaging People on Probation Manager

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.

Overview of the job

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

The Engaging People on Probation Manager (EPOPM) will focus on supporting the Probation Service Region or Approved Premise Directorate to deliver Engagement of People on Probation and peer mentoring services to the desired strategy, performance and quality standards. The EPOPM will report to the Head of Community Integration or Head of Interventions (as per Regional Probation Director’s strategy).

Summary

The job holder will be expected to manage and lead the EPOP strategy within the operational area to the required standard.

In line with PS 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.

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

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

The EPOP Manager may be required to undertake any combination, or all, of the duties and responsibilities set out below.

• Provide effective co-ordination, direction and leadership regarding the various EPOP activities staff are to engage with i.e. comms, forums, learning activity, awareness raising, development of practice and be accountable for any issues of poor quality. To identify gaps, challenges and regional needs re engagement work/peer mentor development and develop, implement and maintain a Regional EPOP Action Plan.
• Work alongside other Regional EPOP Managers to ensure their approach delivers against the HMPPS EPOP Standards of Excellence and the EPOP Strategy (formerly Service User Involvement Plan) ensuring there is consistency where required and standards are met.
• Feed into meetings such as local regional team meetings and National EPOP Single Point of Contact (SPOC) meetings to provide appropriate information exchange and business risk management and produce internal and external reports as required by the chair of the relevant meeting.
• Ensure the voices of those that are unheard can be reached i.e. Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Roma Gypsy travellers and Women POP and ensure that disproportionality for People on Probation (POP) is being analysed, with remedial activity as required.
• To ensure that all regional resources, including interventions, are deployed cost effectively and provide best value in terms of both budget control and realising the organisation’s strategic aims; to include ways to increase the pool of peer engagement workers, assisting staff to identify appropriate POP for forums and peer mentors, ensuring prompt training for mentors and undertaking pilots identifying ways to sustain those which are considered successful – across interventions/UPW/Sentence Management or Approved Premises.
• Recruitment and line management as required of Peer Mentor Co-Ordinators and/or Peer Mentors. 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.
• Undertake risk assessments in the recruitment of peer co-ordinators and/or peer mentors
• To manage financial resources for your area of responsibility as required by your Head of Function and in line with HMPPS financial regulations and policies. To authorise expenditure within financial limits.
• To promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement to service delivery and work to overcome any blockages to referrals, EPOP Strategy and EPOP services.
• In accordance with the business plan, to provide a leading role and direction in work with partners and key stakeholders and represent the PS as appropriate to the role.
• To facilitate effective communication between the regional LDU/Operational Units management team and internal and external partners.
• To play an active part in the corporate management of the PS as necessary, as a member of the Regional Management Team/Approved Premise Directorate.
• Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes.
• Carry out safeguarding children duties in accordance with the PS statutory responsibilities and agency policies and ensuring the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults is prioritised in all contact when Engaging with People on Probation.

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

• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership

Experience

• 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.
• Understanding of risk management and assessment, understanding of multiagency risk assessment and management procedures.
• 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 improvement 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.
• An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.

Technical Requirements

None