Probation Service: Programmes Facilitators (Nottinghamshire)

Are you a confident communicator? Are you passionate about rehabilitation and the benefits of group work? Could you help people make meaningful and sustained changes in their lives? If so, then a career as a Programmes Facilitator in the Probation Service in the East Midlands Region could be for you. Providing interventions to people who engage in harmful behaviour to help reduce their likelihood of reoffending is an important part of our work in HMPPS. Accredited Programmes aim to support people in our care to strengthen and develop skills and behaviour to enable greater choice and capacity to lead a more constructive, meaningful and crime free future. As a Programmes Facilitator, you will be responsible for delivering these Accredited Programmes to individuals from a range of backgrounds and with different offending histories. You will plan, deliver and debrief a range of sessions to diverse groups of individuals on key areas of need, such as emotional management, problem solving, assertive communication, thinking skills, and social and relationship skills. You will use your keen understanding and awareness of group dynamics and the complex needs of people on probation to inform how you manage the sessions, and use your prosocial modelling skills to reinforce positive behaviour and challenge anti-social behaviour and attitudes. Our team is made up of a strong and inclusive group of colleagues, from all walks of life, who are passionate about helping and motivating people on probation. You will work alongside your fellow team members to ensure that people on probation receive the highest quality input and support, as well as sharing information and providing guidance to members of the wider Probation Service, such as Probation Practitioners and Domestic Abuse Safety Officers. The East Midlands Interventions Team is committed to learning and development, and full training for the role of Facilitator is provided. This is alongside regular support and reflective supervision provided throughout your journey by Programme Managers, as well as regular feedback and input from experienced Treatment Manager colleagues. The work is varied, challenging and meaningful and comes with job security, great benefits and career progression opportunities - not to mention the chance to make a real difference to people's lives and our communities. Requirements of the Programme Facilitator Role Include:

• Training in the delivery of groupwork programmes as outlined in the Accredited Programme and Structured Interventions Manuals and in keeping with the core concepts of group work delivery.
• Delivering programme sessions to groups or individuals
• Monitoring group participants' progress, providing participants with feedback, and ensuring this is recorded on relevant systems.
• Working as a team to support performance targets and programme integrity requirements.
• Working alongside Treatment Managers to contribute to the assessment of risk, protective factors and treatment targets of those attending groups.
• Undertaking regular training, feedback and development sessions and workshops.
• Liaising with Probation Practitioners, Domestic Abuse Safety Officers and partner agencies to share information on progress, risk and needs.
• Identifying and taking the necessary action to protect children and vulnerable adults and promote their welfare in accordance with safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Working a minimum of two evenings per week to ensure the groups are accessible outside normal working hours.
• Delivering groups from various delivery venues across the East Midlands Region.
Recruitment Process The recruitment process includes ;
• Application Form
• Civil Service Behaviours Success Profiles Interview
• Assessment Centre Event
All posts are subject to vetting. Overview of the job The job holder will deliver a range of rehabilitation interventions aimed at changing the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviour of people on probation with a full range of offence types and a full range of levels of risks (including those convicted of sexual and domestic abuse offences), as determined by sentences of the Courts and on the recommendation of Probation Practitioners. The main objectives of this role are to reduce re-offending, protect the public, prevent future victims and rehabilitation to help people to build constructive and meaningful lives in the community, through the delivery of effective evidence based Accredited Programmes and Structured Interventions. The post holder will be Regionally based and sit in the Interventions Team and report to the Programme Manager. They will deliver interventions across a large regional area where travel will be required. There will be no line management responsibility in this role. There will be a requirement to regularly work unsocial hours (including evenings and weekends)., The job holder will be delivering interventions in groups, however dependent on the intervention can be delivered in 1:1 sessions or remotely (including working with individuals with learning disabilities and challenges) in line with operational manuals and organisational policies. The post holder will liaise and feedback to Probation Practitioners and other agencies in regard to people on probation's progress, work needed and/or concerns within a group. They will contribute to the overall assessment of risk and need related to offending to address this. Responsibilities, Activities & Duties The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
• Responsible for the planning and delivery of Interventions in a group or on an individual basis to people on probation. The post holder will develop and build a therapeutic and safe working environment for the duration of the programme, in line with operational manuals taking into account different learning styles and abilities.
• Will adhere to PS statutory responsibility for safeguarding (Children and Adult) and multi-agency public protection policies to manage all risks of serious harm.
• Will manage group dynamics and a range of complexities and needs of people on probation, to ensure effective targeting of the intervention and that the learning outcomes are achieved. Responsible for addressing any problematic behaviour within groups.
• Responsible for continually monitoring and making informed, evidenced recommendations around suitability, risk, safety and wellbeing of people on probation throughout the intervention (pre, during and post), to inform future sentence management.
• Will be responsible for completing timely and accurate recording of all relevant data; attendance, feedback, risk issues, and relevant reports, that meet quality assurance requirements.
• Responsible for liaising and providing timely and appropriate communication and analysis of people on probation's progress on the intervention or concerns within a group, with the relevant staff or stakeholders (Courts, Criminal Justice Agencies etc) responsible for enforcement and risk management plans.
• Deliver, workshops and briefings to Probation staff and external stakeholders on the range, purpose and content of interventions available.
• Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes.
• Will take part in regular video monitoring feedback sessions to ensure audit standards are adhered to and to review and reflect on their own practice and implement advised professional development.
The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position and must always demonstrate a commitment to equality and inclusion and an understanding of their relevance to the work they do. 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., 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.


• Communicating and Influencing
• Developing Self and Others
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
Ability
• The ability to evidence high level literacy skills required to read, understand and interpret policies and the ability to write reports and correspondence for internal and external stakeholders.
• An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.
Experience
• Experience of dealing with challenging behaviour, including from individuals who have experienced a range of social/ personal difficulties, within a professional or personal setting.
• Experience of working collaboratively, maintaining effective team relationships.
• An awareness and some understanding of the criminal justice system, safeguarding principles and types of sentences given to People on Probation.
• Experience of assessing and analysing information from different sources and situations to make decisions.
• An understanding of and commitment to promoting equality and valuing diversity.
• Experience of using a range of IT software applications such as Microsoft.
• Experience of implementing new learning to improve performance.
• Experience of planning and prioritising tasks effectively in response to changing demands.
Technical
• Candidates will be required to undertake and pass an Assessment Centre prior to undertaking training.
• Candidates will be required to become an Accredited Programmes Facilitator by:
o Undertaking and successfully passing Core Skills (1 week) to evidence their competence in delivering group work interventions (within 6 months). o Undertaking and successfully passing Programme specific training for each programme and intervention the service delivers (1 week per programme). The job holder must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English or (when specified in Wales) Welsh., Making Effective Decisions - 250 word limit Working Together - 250 word limit Delivering at Pace - 250 word limit Communicating and Influencing - 250 word limit Experience Work History Statement of Suitability - 500 word limit "Q. Describe the experience you have of working with people whose lives are in crisis. This experience can come from paid work, volunteer work, or from any other setting:
• What issues are involved when working with people who have complex needs?
• What have you learnt from your previous experience that could support you in being a Programmes Facilitator? " - 250 word limit
  
  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 Assessment centre dates To Be Confirmed Closing Date, Making Effective Decisions Working Together Communicating and Influencing Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance. Additional Assessment(s) Facilitation Exercise 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'.