Ministry of Justice

National Senior Probation Officer Returner Scheme

This is a rolling campaign; applicants cannot reapply within a six-month period.

This scheme is open to former, qualified senior probation officers who have left the Civil Service within the last five years.

If you are a former qualified senior probation officer who has left the Civil Service less than 5 years ago, and have completed your probationary period and training, we would like you to consider returning to the Probation Service and joining your former colleagues, to keep the public safe and rehabilitate people on probation. 

We can offer you a fast-track return to the service with no requirement to undertake a lengthy application form, interview or assessment process. Should you meet the eligibility criteria, and your application is accepted by the Probation Service.

When considering applications, we take into account a range of relevant factors such as business need/location availability and any concerns regarding an individuals' prior performance, conduct or attendance.

We will contact you to discuss your potential work base location, subject to passing pre-employment checks.

Please note: Former civil servants do not have the right to return. It is at the discretion of the Probation Service whether to reinstate former civil servants. This Returners Scheme utilises Exception 5 of the Recruitment Principles, which provides a mechanism for former civil servants to return, without necessarily going through fair and open competition again.

 Further information can be found here: Home - Civil Service Commission (independent.gov.uk)

If you have left the service more than 5 years ago, please visit Current vacancies – Prison and Probation Jobs for all our current vacancies.

If you are not yet ready to re-join at this time, you can still be part of our Probation Alumni Network to be kept up date on the latest developments for probation returners. Click here to register to the Probation Alumni Network

Eligibility:

Civil Service Exception 5 terms are as follows:

• Former civil servants who were previously appointed on merit on the basis of fair and open competition may be re-appointed (to a permanent or fixed-term appointment) within a maximum of five years of leaving the Civil Service.
• Civil Servants can return to a role that is the same grade as when they left, or lower. Civil servants cannot return on promotion under Exception 5.
• Civil Servants can return within 5 years of leaving their last post.
• There is no right of return for any individual, this is a matter of business need in the relevant civil service organisation.
• Former civil servants may not be brought back at a higher grade than the substantive grade they were on when they left.

This offer is open to all former qualified senior probation officers subject to meeting the eligibility criteria and who have left the Civil Service:

• Through resignation or retirement in the last 5 years and who, before leaving, had successfully completed their probationary period.

Options for working arrangements and contract:

During the application process, you'll need to choose a probation region. If your application meets the eligibility criteria, we'll subsequently get in touch with you to talk about your designated work base

The following options are available:

• Full or part-time either permanent or temporary contract –temporary contracts are available for three, six or nine months.
• Flexible contractual terms.

For temporary contract appointments:

We are offering temporary contracts on a three, six- or nine-month basis with the opportunity to extend the contract up to a maximum of two years, should you wish to do so and if there is a continuing requirement for your services.

As a temporary member of staff, you will receive the full range of Civil Service benefits other than permanent tenure. You will be automatically enrolled for pension although you may opt out. You will be entitled to 25 days' leave per annum, pro rata.

Pre-employment checks:

You will be subject to pre-employment checks including Occupational Health Review and you will undergo and clear pre-employment checks which will include Enhanced Level 2.

Once in your role, you will require access to the multi-agency ViSOR database, and you will therefore be required to undertake Non-Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) Level 2.

This is routine and will apply to anyone who has been absent from the service for more than 28 days.

Training:

At the point of return, an individualised training needs analysis will be completed to identify training that has been completed and to schedule any relevant training that is required.

 Full time salary: 

• £ 44,100 + London allowance of £4,249 for London, Staines, and Watford base location where applicable.
• Higher starting salaries (in line with current policy) can be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Benefits

To find out more about the fantastic benefits HMPPS has to offer please click here: Why work for HM Prison and Probation Service? – Prison and Probation Jobs

Overview of the job    

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 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.

If relevant to the role, some out of hours working may be required

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties    

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.

Behaviours    

•    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)