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General Information

Salary
The national salary range is £71,381 - £80,419, London salary range is £75,674 - £85,257. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
London, National
Region
London, National
Closing Date
13-Mar-2026
Post Type
Loan, Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Grade 6
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
15125

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Who we are:

We are an independent inspectorate led by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons. We scrutinise the conditions and treatment of prisoners and other detainees and report on our findings.

We help to make sure that detention is humane, safe, respectful and helps to prepare people for release ahead of their return to the community. We do that by carrying out independent inspections of prisons, young offender institutions, secure training centres and courts in England and Wales and places of immigration detention across the UK.

Find out about our expectations for different types of detention.

We publish reports to let people know about our findings and hold the government, and those running places of detention, to account. We also identify and share examples of good practice to support leaders in learning from other, comparable institutions.

Our role is to shine a light on what needs to change, but we cannot enforce it. It is up to prison leaders to consider the best way to respond to our concerns and use their resources and expertise to find solutions. HM Prison and Probation Service or the Home Office should work with the establishment to support this progress.

Find out more about our mandate.

Who we are – HM Inspectorate of Prisons

About the role

HM Inspectorate of Prisons is looking for an exceptional candidate to lead one of its inspection teams which leads on the inspection of adult male prisons. The successful candidate will be expected to take up post in Summer 2026.  The exact date will be dependent on the timing of interviews and security clearance processes. 

As Inspection Team Leader, you will have a key role within the Inspectorate, making a demonstrable difference to the conditions and treatment of those held in detention in England and Wales by reporting on what you inspect and helping to achieve positive outcomes.   

You will be responsible for planning and carrying out inspections of prison establishments, managing a core team of inspectors, and the production of timely and accurate reports.   You will also be part of the Inspectorate’s Delivery Board and will be responsible for helping to develop Inspectorate policy and inspection practice.  

You will be required to use your skills, knowledge and experience to advise on and influence national and justice policy formation and promote the work of HM Inspectorate of Prisons.  

Reporting to HM Deputy Chief Inspector of Prisons, you will head the team of inspectors, develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and provide expert advice to HM Chief Inspector. 

Frequent travel within the UK (and possibly abroad) will be required, and you will spend at least one week in three away on inspection, as well as travelling for meetings and other events. You will also need to be available to come to London for internal and external meetings on a regular basis. 

Responsibilities

You will:

 

•    Lead and coordinate the inspection of prisons and other places of detention to assess outcomes for detainees against the Inspectorate’s inspection criteria known as Expectations.

•    Mobilise and supervise an effective inspection team (which will include core team members, specialists, and colleagues from other inspectorates) and help them to gather, analyse and test out evidence

•    Assess all relevant experiences and outcomes for prisoners in each establishment guided by the Inspectorates ‘healthy prison’ model (safety, respect, purposeful activity and rehabilitation and release planning) and presenting findings under each heading.

•    Brief the governor or centre manager and senior managers during inspections, and in a formal debrief on the final day.

•    Produce well written public reports within tight deadlines and present edited versions to the Deputy Chief Inspector and Chief Inspector.

•    Work collaboratively as a member of multidisciplinary teams.

•    Contribute, as required, to thematic inspection reports and reports produced jointly with other criminal justice inspectorates.

•    Make sure inspectors assist with the development of Inspectorate criteria and guidelines relating to their team’s specialism.

Management and policy

You will:

•    Lead on the Inspectorate response to relevant consultations and carry out relevant public speaking engagements on behalf of the Chief Inspector.

•    Take appropriate action in response to concerns raised about those detained, including raising safeguarding alerts as required.

•    Keep up to date with policy developments to advise HM Chief Inspector and ensure better outcomes for those in detention

•    Manage an inspection team within the Inspectorate (including selection, induction, supervision, appraisal, quality assurance, training and development).

•    Be an active member of the Inspectorate’s Delivery Board.

•    Effectively project manage pieces of work and lead on meeting the objectives of the Inspectorate’s business and strategic plans.

•    Advise on the development of internal Inspectorate policy, the continuing review and development of Inspectorate criteria and methodology, and the development of new inspection frameworks.

•    Represent the Inspectorate externally: for example, in meetings and working parties with the Prison Service, Ministry of Justice, other inspectorates, other statutory and voluntary outside groups, and at conferences and seminars.

•    Maintain effective partnership working with key stakeholders.

•    Carry out inquiries as required, on behalf of the Chief Inspector.

Experience

Essential:

•    Experience of strong leadership and communication and of demonstrating independence, objectivity and the ability to assimilate and analyse complex data and evidence.

•    Senior management experience within, or directly relevant to, a custodial setting and/or experience developing or influencing policy in relation to the criminal justice system.

•    Experience that demonstrates support for, and understanding of, the Inspectorate’s work and values

Desirable:

•    Experience as the Governor or Director of one or more custodial establishments.


Additional Information

Completing application: Candidates should ensure that all responses are framed against the Grade 6 Success Profile requirements and are supported by evidence demonstrating capability at the required level.

Post type:

If you are an existing Civil Servant, you will have the option to apply for this role permanently or on loan (please see loan and policy procedure document for more information).

 

If you are an external candidate, you can only apply for this role on a permanent basis.

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). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

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 role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale.  This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). 

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

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.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ 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 MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

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.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

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 employees.

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 www.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

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.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

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 TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

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.

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 is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

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

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 15125

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Leadership, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Delivering at Pace
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
In your Statement of Suitability, please explain how your skills, experience and leadership approach meet the requirements of this Grade 6 role. Your statement should focus on leadership, decision making, delivery and influence. Use examples to demonstrate the impact of your work, the scale and complexity of the environments in which you have operated.
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Expected Tuesday 7th & Wednesday 8th April 2026
Behaviours
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Delivering at Pace

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used?
Written Exercise
Level of security checks required
DBS Enhanced
Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.