Senior Probation Officer Homelessness Prevention Team (HPT)

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., The job holder will be expected to manage and lead staff within the operational area to the required standard, and will offer support and cover to other teams/functions during periods of absence.

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., Senior Probation Officers may be required to undertake any combination, or all, of the duties and responsibilities set out below.

• To provide effective management and leadership to the team


• To be accountable for the quality delivery of good practice and team performance improvement within policy and national standards


• To 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


• To 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


• To access, interpret, analyse and apply performance data pro-actively in order to maximise LDU/team performance, evaluate practice and deliver organisational aims


• 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


• To ensure that offender managers manage risk appropriately, and meet all public protection standards and targets


• To contribute directly to public protection through multi-agency arrangements and individual casework review, discussion and feedback


• To promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement to service delivery


• To 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. To authorise expenditure within financial limits


• In accordance with the business plan, to provide a leading role and direction in work with partners and key stakeholders, and represent the NPS as appropriate to the role


• To facilitate effective communication between the LDU/Operational Unit management team and internal and external partners


• To play an active part in the corporate management of the NPS as necessary, as a member of the LDU/Operational Unit Management Team


• To 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


• To work within the aims and values of NPS and HMPPS


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., The Community Accommodation Service (CAS3) is a initiative building upon the success of the Homelessness Prevention Taskforce teams. The aim is to support the Region to address the significant issues of homelessness amongst those leaving custody, Approved Premises and Bail Accommodation Support Service (BASS). In addition the CAS3 team will support PDUs to establish stronger links and processes with stakeholders including local authorities and accommodation providers, This role will provide efficient and effective strategic and operational support to the CAS 3 team including assistance with contract management, line management responsibilities and performance monitoring to assist with the evaluation of the project.

Tasks will include:

• Line management of operational staff in CAS3 team


• Supporting Regional and Central Probation Delivery Unit data collection on homelessness to share with Local Housing Authorities and other partners.


• To oversee the allocation and management of cases placed in temporary accommodation under CAS3 to ensure positive outcomes for Staff, People on Probation and providers and meet relevant performance targets.


• Develop strategic partnerships with local authorities, accommodation providers and other stakeholders across the region to improve accommodation outcomes for People on Probation.


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 full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS' Flexible Working policy., 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.


• Working Together


• Developing Self and Others


• Delivering at Pace


• Managing a Quality Service


• Making Effective Decisions


• Communicating and Influencing


• Leadership


Essential Experience


• 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


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


• Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/ Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice.


• Or a qualification which was recognised at the time of qualification by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007.The following qualifications gained in England and Wales were previously recognised as providing such eligibility:


• Diploma in Probation Studies,


• Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)


• CQSW (with Probation Option)

Allowance Details

For any candidate who is successful in securing a Prison role, there will be an Environmental Allowance paid of £675 per annum (Pro Rata for Part Time staff members)., Delivering at Pace - 250 word limit
Developing Self and Others - 250 word limit
Working Together - 250 word limit, Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Managing a Quality Service

£40,604 - £45,500 (plus a London Weighting Allowance of £4,126)
Number of jobs available
1
Detail of reserve list
12 Months
Region
South East
City/Town
Ashford (Kent) , Brighton and Hove , Canterbury , Chatham , Crawley , Folkestone , Guildford , Hastings , Maidstone , Ramsgate , Redhill , Royal Tunbridge Wells , Staines , Worthing
Building/Site
NMS First House, GU1 4XB, NMS Forum House, Redhill, RH1 6YS, NMS Midtown House, RH10 1BW, NMS Queens House, CT11 9DH, NMS Templar House, TN23 1PL, NPS 17 GARDEN ROAD TUNBRIDGE WELLS, TN1 2XP, NPS 20/28 LONDON ROAD ST LEONARDS, TN38 0ET, NPS 47 GRAND PARADE BRIGHTON, BN2 9QA, NPS 56-58 COLLEGE ROAD MAIDSTONE, ME15 6SJ, NPS FOLKESTONE MAGISTRATES COURT FOLKESTONE, CT20 2DH, NPS NEW ROAD CHATHAM, ME4 4QQ, NPS RALPHS CENTRE CANTERBURY, CT1 3RH, NPS SWAN HOUSE STAINES, TW18 1AJ, NPS WORTHING PROBATION OFFICE WORTHING, BN11 2BE
Grade
Other
Organisation Grade for HMPPS, 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

• To Shared Service Connected Ltd (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);


• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);


• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)


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.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please see our Disability Confident Scheme Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
Interview dates
To be confirmed
Closing Date