PIPE: Probation Officer in Approved Premises (Role Description)
Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway Programme
(To be read in conjunction with generic Band 4 Probation Officer Job Description)
Post Title:
Approved Premises PIPE Regime Lead - Probation Officer
Primary Role:
As the PIPE Regime Lead to provide specialist support and
expertise in the delivery of the PIPE model in an Approved
Premises setting as part of the NHS and HMPPS Offender
Personality Disorder Strategy. To lead on promoting and
developing the regime and culture of the PIPE within the
Approved Premises in accordance with the PIPE model and
providing an effective interface for the PIPE and the wider
system and risk management process.
This post reports to the Senior Probation Officer (Approved
Premises Manager).
Context:
PIPEs are specifically designed environments where staff members have additional
training to develop an increased psychological understanding of their work. This
understanding enables staff to further develop a safe and supportive environment which
facilitates an offender’s pathway either pre-treatment, through treatment, post-treatment,
or on transition into the community. The service is aimed at supporting offenders to
progress through the system in a planned and pathway based approach.
PIPEs are designed to have a particular focus on the environment in which they operate;
actively recognising the importance and quality of relationships and interactions. They aim
to maximise ordinary situations to support development, and to approach these in a
psychologically informed way, paying attention to issues relating to Personality Disorder
for example.
PIPEs form a significant part of the OPD pathway, and feature in a settings with different
levels of security, both in custody and the community. The operating model for PIPEs is
adaptable for the environment that it operates in and the purpose it is fulfilling. Whilst they
can be considered as a ‘therapeutic environment’ they are not a treatment intervention
themselves.
Principal Duties:
To carry out the full Job Description for the core role (Band 4 Probation Officer) in line with
the principles of the PIPE approach and to undertake the following duties and tasks in line
with the PIPE model requirements. PIPE services will have an increased resource in the
front line team to attend to any additional requirements.
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PIPE PO Role Description
Responsibilities:
The post holder will be expected to carry out the following duties:
Management
? This post is not the Deputy Manager of the Approved Premises (as per previous
arrangements). However, in the absence of the Approved Premises manager, the
PO will act as the most senior operational practitioner in relation to decisions that
affect PIPE operations and will be expected to work in liaison with the covering
divisional SPO who retains authority. The PO will support temporary cover
arrangements by contributing to decision making, providing specialist advice,
assessing and reporting the impact of decisions in relation to the PIPE mode and
working to ensure the principles of the partnership working with the PIPE Health
partner are upheld.
Working with High Risk/Priority Sexual and Violent Offenders
? To lead on the (active) development of a regime and timetable that supports NPS
and PIPE expectations in relation to purposeful activity and model requirements.
? In conjunction with the Clinical and Operational leads, to oversee and shape the
delivery of structured activities described within the PIPE model, to promote
development of the offender, supporting pre/post/in-treatment or resettlement
needs, e.g. co-facilitating a discussion forum. This would include installing and
embedding structured sessions into the Approved Premises regime and supporting
and enabling staff to deliver these appropriately.
? To contribute to the development of creative and semi-structured activities within
the PIPE service in order to contribute to a healthy psychosocial environment in
collaboration with the Clinical Lead. To encourage offenders to participate in these
activities.
? To attend MAPPA level 2 cases where required, and MAPPA level 3 as directed by
the SPO.
? To attend and contribute to PIPE staff meetings and post-group process
supervision sessions as required.
? To oversee Resettlement planning activity for residents
Referrals
? To be the referrals/admissions coordinator for the Approved Premises PIPE,
ensuring appropriate links with other elements of the OPD pathway are in place,
and PIPE model criteria are applied.
? To collate necessary clinical, risk and pathway information required for referral and
admissions decisions for the PIPE.
? To provide specialist advice to the Clinical Lead and Operational Lead SPO in the
selection and admission of residents.
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PIPE PO Role Description
Key Worker
? To oversee key working activity delivered by the Band 3 staff in the Approved
Premises, supporting cases that are the most complex, and supporting staff to
undertake this effectively and to promote structured tools/approaches and
concepts, such as the Good Lives Model.
? To manage the allocation of Key Workers to residents, supporting those where
cases present significant complexity, co-working where deemed appropriate.
? To provide a co-worker arrangement for Key Working relationships in the absence
of Band 3 staff and to support the quality development of key working in the
Approved Premises.
? To actively consider the population of the Approved Premises and identify where
residents are not considered or not engaged with PIPE functions and processes,
and take steps to address this.
? To collate information relating to the offender for the purposes of outstanding
treatment needs and sentence planning in collaboration with the Offender Manager
where appropriate.
? To encourage the offender group to participate fully in the regime activities
provided through the PIPE supporting their personal development.
Environment
? To lead and promote the embedding of Enabling Environments practice into the
Approved Premises’ operation, including oversight of the portfolio development
(where relevant) and collation of EE evidence.
? To model the culture and expectations of behaviour for all staff and residents in the
PIPE environment - to promote good relational practice and support staff in their
development, competence and confidence of relational working and working with
complex needs.
? To contribute to the development of a healthy Approved Premises environment in
accordance with principles of a PIPE.
? To oversee the Joining and Leaving processes for residents within the AP, working
with the Clinical Lead to ensure PIPE and Enabling Environment principles and
approaches are applied.
Research
? Where appropriate to participate in the research and evaluation of the PIPE
through completion of research questionnaires, participation in research interviews.
? To encourage and support PIPE residents to participate in research activities.
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PIPE PO Role Description
Organisation
? To provide an interface between the PIPE service and the wider organisation, as
well as with external organisations where appropriate.
? To support Offender Managers to develop an understanding of the PIPE approach
and to support collaborative working and decision making in relation to the
management of PIPE residents between PIPE and OMs.
? To promote communication and relational opportunities between the PIPE and
“sending" prison establishments, facilitating contact with prospective residents,
through face to face or video/audio meetings where appropriate
Training and Supervision
? To attend local and national training courses relevant to the PIPE.
? To regularly attend group and individual supervision as required with the Clinical
Lead and Operational Lead(s).
? To promote a developed and applied understanding of Personality Disorder within
the staff group.
? To contribute to the design and delivery of in house training and development of
PIPE unit staff as required, maintaining a focus on risk management in the
development of a healthy psychosocial environment and delivery of the PIPE
operating.
Qualifications, Qualities and Experience
Essential
? Motivated to work in a service focusing on developing and maintaining a
psychological understanding of each activity
? Commitment to working for a minimum of 2 years in the PIPE service
? Is a qualified Probation Officer.
? Can demonstrate an awareness of effective Offender Management and
Resettlement practices.
Desirable
? Demonstrates an interest in understanding Personality Disorder and its impact on
offending
? Group work experience
END
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