80680 - Probation Services Officer Electronic Monitoring - South West - Fixed Term until 31 March 2025

As part of the new National Electronic Monitoring Strategy, these new PSO roles have been created to help improve and increase the use of all electronic monitoring (EM) tags. The post holder will work within a small regional team (Electronic Monitoring). It will provide the opportunity to develop and build expertise in one area and influence performance improvement across the region.   There will be remote working with a team that is dispersed across the SW Region. The position will require collaboration and joint work within the team alongside collaboration with Electronic Monitoring Services (EMS) and PDU based Electronic Monitoring SPOCs, in both Sentence Management and Court settings.    There will be work with other regional SPOCs across the country who are also working on implementing and embedding the EM Strategy, giving the opportunity to share experiences/ learning to build upon effective practice and deliver within the SW Region.    The post holder will be required to represent the Probation Service and have ongoing liaison with key stakeholders including EMS, Police, Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and HMCTS.  The role requires activity to deal with EM enquiries and support/advise colleagues (internal and external) on EM options. Liaison with Probation Service colleagues and partner agencies will be required to help inform risk assessments and suitable sentencing proposals/release on licence and support an increased concordance with Electronic Monitoring requirements.   This post holder will also be an important point of contact between Court and Sentence Management staff and the Regional Electronic Monitoring Lead, communicating feedback and barriers to improve practice and rectify issues. The post provides an opportunity for someone to really make a difference around electronic monitoring practice, promoting and embedding the Electronic Monitoring strategy successfully across the region.   Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written, and ability to communicate and influence a range of people and grades, is essential.

Overview of the job    

The job holder will undertake the full range of work with offenders before and after sentence. This will include assessment, sentence implementation, offender management and producing reports. The job holder will provide case management support to a full range of offenders utilising service procedures and practice directions that underpin professional judgement.

Summary    

To assess and manage the risk (including risk management plans and escalation) posed by offenders to protect  victims of crime and the general public by:

•    Liaising, providing information and advice to criminal courts, criminal justice agencies and other partner agencies

•    Supervise and manage risk of those offenders subject to community sentences, during and after custodial sentences.

•    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 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 (i.e. Courts, Approved Premises, programmes, evening reporting etc)

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties    

Probation Services Officers may be required to undertake any combination, or all, of the duties and responsibilities set out below.
•    To undertake the full range of offender management tasks with offenders assessed as low or medium risk of harm and to support the Probation Officer grade in high risk cases.
•    When providing case manager support, to contribute to the delivery of the Risk Management plan and report significant changes relating to risk of harm and/or of reoffending or any non-compliance within agreed enforcement procedures
•    To use computer based systems to produce, update and maintain records and other documentation within agreed timescales
•    Ensure effective referrals to services and facilities and communicate with offender management staff, interventions staff, service providers and external agencies to review progress and associated risks.
•    To undertake prison, home or alternate location visits as required in accordance with service procedures and policies.
•    To undertake work in the court setting, including the completion of appropriate reports on cases and prosecution of breaches.
•    To provide cover within teams as required
•    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 the Job Evaluation scheme 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 diverse range of people  who  have  experienced a range of social/personal difficulties and the need to use tact and discretion when dealing with confidential and sensitive issues
•    Experience in planning and coordinating work
•    Experience of working with groups or individuals in order to motivate and change behaviour
•    An understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities and diversity good practice

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    

•    Minimum 5 GCSE's at Grade C or above, including English, Maths or the ability to evidence high level numeracy and literacy skills required to read, understand and interpret policies and the ability to write reports and correspondence for internal and external stakeholders
•    Understanding of factors related to offending e.g. substance misuse, accommodation issues and being able to emphasise constructively with a range of people
•    Understanding of and commitment to the principles of case management.
•    Knowledge and understanding of risk management/risk assessment as pertaining to offenders and the impact on victims of crime
•    Understanding of Health & Safety legislation in the workplace
•    Knowledge and understanding of the work of the Criminal Justice System and Probation Service
•    Knowledge of the aims and objectives of the Probation Service

Ability    

•    Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with offenders, professionals, courts and other public fora.