Senior Probation Officer - Cheshire

Overview

This is a management role within the National Probation Service (NPS). The Senior Probation Officer supports the Head of Operational Function to provide management and a leading role within a Local Delivery Unit (LDU) or other operational unit.

Summary

The job holder will manage and lead staff within the operational area to the required standard and offer support and cover to other teams during periods of absence. Demonstrates commitment to equality and inclusion and adheres to all policies regarding confidential information. May be required to work out of hours.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

• Provide effective management and leadership to the team
• Be accountable for the quality delivery of good practice and team performance improvement within policy and national standards
• Ensure that all team resources, including interventions, are deployed cost effectively and provide best value in terms of both budget control and realising the organisation's strategic aims
• Ensure that staff can efficiently and effectively meet the requirements of the NPS' contract with HMPPS, Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRC) and local business plans as required
• Access, interpret, analyse and apply performance data pro-actively in order to maximise LDU/team performance, evaluate practice and deliver organisational aims
• 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
• Ensure that offender managers manage risk appropriately, and meet all public protection standards and targets
• Contribute directly to public protection through multi-agency arrangements and individual casework review, discussion and feedback
• Promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement to service delivery
• Manage financial resources for your area of responsibility as required by your Head of Operational Function and in line with HMPPS financial regulations and policies. Authorise expenditure within financial limits
• In accordance with the business plan, provide a leading role and direction in work with partners and key stakeholders, and represent the NPS as appropriate to the role
• Facilitate effective communication between the LDU/Operational Unit management team and internal and external partners
• Play an active part in the corporate management of the NPS as necessary, as a member of the LDU/Operational Unit Management Team
• Undertake specific areas of responsibility as delegated by the Head of Operational Function
• 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 NPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies
• Work within the aims and values of NPS and HMPPS

Behaviours

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

Qualifications

• 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, understanding of multi agency 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 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

Technical Requirements

• Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma / Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice
• Or a qualification recognised at the time of acquisition by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007
• Qualifications previously recognised in England and Wales: Diploma in Probation Studies; Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option); CQSW (with Probation Option)

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 (the role must be undertaken in the UK). Hybrid Working will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate and subject to regular review.
• For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate 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 upon completion of pre employment checks.
• Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding unpaid breaks. HMPPS welcomes part time, flexible and job sharing working patterns where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for such patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS' Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

• Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and increases to 30 days after five years' service, plus public holidays. Leave for part time and job share posts is 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). More information .
• Training: The Ministry of Justice offers a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.
• Networks: Employee run networks are available for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
• Support: Family friendly policies (e.g., reduced hours or job share); voluntary benefits; retail vouchers and discounts; childcare support options; paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave; free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Equal Opportunities

• All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.
• As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ is committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace.

Nationality & Eligibility

• UK nationals - or 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)
• 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