PROBATION OFFICER
Bedfordshire PDU
Offender Personality Disorder Pathway: Core OPD Pathway Services 0.5 FTE and Intensive Integrated Risk Management Service (IIRMS) 0.5 FTE
The Core OPD Pathway Service and Intensive Integrated Risk Management Service (IIRMS) in Bedfordshire are jointly commissioned by HMPPS Psychology and The Probation Service as part of the Offender Personality Disorder Partnership Pathway. The Pathway works with Probation Practitioners and those individuals managed by HMPPS that have screened into it. The services offer psychologically informed consultation/formulation, workforce development opportunities and work into Approved Premises. Intensive support/intervention in respect of our IIRMS service is provided prior to and on release to support successful resettlement in the community to a small cohort of people on probation alongside their allocated Probation Practitioner. The role will be part of a multi-disciplinary team of Psychology and Probation staff.
The Role:
Provide consultation appointments to Probation Practitioners and work closely with our Case Administrator around the scheduling of these.
Ensure recording of OPD activity is both comprehensive and timely.
Act as representative of Bedfordshire services at Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) panels.
Maintenance and dissemination of OPD related resources including briefings, presentations, brochures, and newsletters.
Work jointly with HMPPS Psychology practitioners to develop training packages and staff wellbeing initiatives.
To support delivery of training and learning for HMPPS staff around personality, personality difficulties and psychologically informed practice. This will include the delivery of training both in person and on Microsoft Teams.
Promoting an understanding of the OPD Pathway to Probation staff and other stakeholders via attendance at meetings across the PDU
Close liaison with other regional/external OPD services to support the sharing of information and transitions of individuals.
Attending relevant events relating to learning and development within the OPD Pathway and take responsibility for own learning.
Undertaking regular custody visits to individuals working with IIRMS as part of pre-release activity.
Developing and delivering psychologically-informed intervention plans with those supported through IIRMS.
To work as part of a multi-agency team to share information, develop psychological formulations and provide risk advice for IIRMS cases presenting a significant level of need, risk and complexity.
To maintain ongoing visits and key work with individuals working with IIRMS whilst they are resident at Approved Premises and to support their transition from long term custody into gradual resettlement in the community.
To offer planned contacts with individuals working with IIRMS at locations beyond Probation and Health settings and adhere to lone working guidance.
To contribute to the operation of our IIRMS Hub.
Ensure the Pathway adheres to the guidance set by HMPPS and report any barriers or difficulties to Leads.
Requirements in addition to the PO job specification:
A minimum of two year’s post-qualifying experience.
A demonstrable interest in relational practice and working with individuals with personality difficulties.
The ability to work independently without close supervision.
The ability to work successfully as part of a multi-agency team.
The ability to travel regularly across the region (and occasionally beyond) to a wide range of prison establishments and Approved Premises (the use of hire cars and rail travel are covered by existing Probation guidance).
A desire to learn and support colleagues and people on probation in a new approach.
Attend monthly clinical supervision in addition to line management supervision.
This is a rare opportunity to contribute to the delivery of the Core and IIRMS model in Bedfordshire. For further information please do not hesitate to contact Rosanna Cator, Operational Lead (Rosanna.cator1@justice.gov.uk)