67336 - Approved Premises Probation Officer- Elliot House

£30,812 - £38,289
1
12 Months
West Midlands
Birmingham
NPS 96 EDGBASTON ROAD BIRMINGHAM, B12 9QA
Other
NPS Pay Band 4 National
Permanent
Full Time
Risk Management

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.

This is a Probation Officer Role based at Elliott House AP, which is a 20-bed specialist Approved Premises for male offenders aged 18 or over, with mental health problems. Its core staffing is provided by NPS staff, and alongside this mental health support is provided each week by a multi-disciplinary team led by a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist. Residents at the AP are all either subject to Probation supervision or on court bail and in order to be accepted for placement they must meet specific criterion in relation to their mental health. The majority of residents at Elliott House are also supported by their own Community Mental Health Team (CMHT).

Principal Duties: To carry out the full Job Description for the core role (Band 4 Probation Officer) in the context of the specialist partnership model at Elliott House.

Overview of the job

Post holders will undertake the full range of offender management tasks with offenders under supervision including assessment, sentence implementation and producing reports; utilising service procedures and practice directions to underpin professional judgement.

Summary

To assess and manage the risk posed by offenders to protect victims of crime and the
general the public by:

  • Providing information and advice to criminal courts, other criminal justice
    agencies and partner organisations
  • Supervise offenders subject to community orders and licences and during
    custodial sentences
  • Contribute to the management of risk
  • Work with other agencies and groups to prevent crime and meet the needs
    of victims and offenders

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 undertake.

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

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 and assessment, including written reports to courts, the Parole Board, other criminal justice agencies and partner organisations
  • To undertake the full range of offender management tasks with offenders assessed at all levels of risk of serious harm including high and very high.
  • To use computer based systems to produce, update and maintain records and other documentation within agreed timescales
  • To ensure timely and effective referrals to, and relationships between, offender management, court teams, victim contact units, interventions, Approved Premises, prisons and external agencies to enhance positive outcomes, manage risk and reduce reoffending
  • To attend professional meetings and represent the NPS at appropriate partnership forums e.g. MAPPA, MARAC
  • To work collaboratively with colleagues, maintain effective team relationships and provide professional guidance and support to Probation Services Officer (PSOs) and other staff as appropriate
  • To provide cover within your team and to other teams as required To undertake prison, home or other alternate location visits as required
  • Respond to risk escalation requests raised by Community Rehabilitation Companies, determine risk level and if high risk (endorsed by a manager) decide on how this will be managed
  • To deliver and co-lead accredited programmes commensurate with grade
  • To conduct mandatory alcohol and drug tests as required, and to follow prescribed medication procedures
  • Carry out safeguarding children duties in accordance with the NPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies
  • Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social 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 Job Evaluation and shall be discussed
in the first instance with the Job Holder

Behaviours

  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Changing and Improving
  • Working Together
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Communicating and Influencing

Essential Experience

  • 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 equality
  • Experience of working with individuals and groups in order to motivate and change offending behaviour.
  • Experience of working with people who have committed offences

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

You must hold a Probation Officer qualification or be a qualified Probation Officer.

In addition, successful candidates must hold the following:

  • PQF Honours 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)
  • Knowledge and understanding of the work of the Criminal Justice System and the Probation Service.
  • A working knowledge of relevant legislation and National Standards.
  • Knowledge of Evidence Based Practice and risk/needs assessment tools

    Additional payments will be made for out of hours work.


    Working Arrangements & Further Information

    The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.  

    For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

    Some of MoJ’s 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 are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. 

    Benefits

    The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

    Annual Leave

    Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service, plus public holidays. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis

    Pension

    The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF).  Please visit www.gmpf.org.uk for further information.

    Please note: Any current Civil Servant who is a member of the PCSPS, by accepting an offer of employment to the National Probation Services will be opted out of the PCSPS and auto enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.

    Training

    The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

    Networks

    The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

    Eligibility

    All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post

    Support

    • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
    • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
    • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
    • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
    • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

    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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

    The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

    You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

    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.

    To be confirmed

    08/12/2022, 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@gov.sscl.com. Please quote the job reference -  67006

    If you would like to discuss this post  or require any additional information,  please contact Dave Branwood SPO/Approved Premises Manager at Elliot House tel: 0121 4402657

    Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.

    if you feel that your application has not been treated in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance

    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

    Behaviours
    Making Effective Decisions - 500 word limit
    Changing and Improving - 500 word limit
    Working Together - 500 word limit
    Delivering at Pace - 500 word limit
    Communicating and Influencing - 500 word limit

    Interview stage assessments

    There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.
    Behaviours
    Making Effective Decisions
    Changing and Improving
    Working Together
    Delivering at Pace
    Communicating and Influencing
    Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance.

    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.