NPS Job Description (JD)
NPS Band 4
Directorate: National Probation Service
Job Description: Probation Officer
Document Ref.
NPS-JES-0032_Probation Officer_v7.0
Document Type
Management
Version
7.0
Classification
Unclassified
Date of Issue
10/7/2019
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Head of Group
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
NPS-JES-0032_Probation Officer_v7.0
NPS Job Description
Job Title
Probation Officer
Directorate
National Probation Service
Band
4
Overview of the job
Post holders will undertake the full range of offender management tasks with
offenders under supervision including assessment, sentence implementation and
producing reports; utilising service procedures and practice directions to underpin
professional judgement.
Summary
To assess and manage the risk posed by offenders to protect victims of crime and the
general the public by:
? Providing information and advice to criminal courts, other criminal justice
agencies and partner organisations
? Supervise offenders subject to community orders and licences and during
custodial sentences
? Contribute to the management of risk
? Work with other agencies and groups to prevent crime and meet the needs
of victims and offenders
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 undertake.
The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential
nature of the information handled whilst working in this position.
Responsibilities,
Probation Officers may be required to undertake any combination, or all, of the
Activities & Duties
duties and responsibilities set out below.
? To provide professional advice and assessment, including written reports to
courts, the Parole Board, other criminal justice agencies and partner
organisations
? To undertake the full range of offender management tasks with offenders
assessed at all levels of risk of serious harm including high and very high.
? To use computer based systems to produce, update and maintain records
and other documentation within agreed timescales
? To ensure timely and effective referrals to, and relationships between,
offender management, court teams, victim contact units, interventions,
Approved Premises, prisons and external agencies to enhance positive
outcomes, manage risk and reduce reoffending
? To attend professional meetings and represent the NPS at appropriate
partnership forums e.g. MAPPA, MARAC
? To work collaboratively with colleagues, maintain effective team
relationships and provide professional guidance and support to Probation
Services Officer (PSOs) and other staff as appropriate
? To provide cover within your team and to other teams as required
? To undertake prison, home or other alternate location visits as required
? Respond to risk escalation requests raised by Community Rehabilitation
Companies, determine risk level and if high risk (endorsed by a manager)
decide on how this will be managed
? To deliver and co-lead accredited programmes commensurate with grade
? To conduct mandatory alcohol and drug tests as required, and to follow
prescribed medication procedures
? Carry out safeguarding children duties in accordance with the NPS statutory
responsibilities and agency policies
? Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social
behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes.
? To work within the aims and values of NPS and NOMS
NPS-JES-0032_Probation Officer_v7.0
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
? Making Effective Decisions
? Changing and Improving
? Working Together
? Delivering at Pace
? Communicating and Influencing
Strengths
It is advised strengths are chosen locally, recommended 4-8
Essential Experience
? Experience of working with a wide variety of people who have experienced a
range of social/personal difficulties.
? Experience of working with diverse communities including promoting
equality and valuing diversity.
? An understanding and appreciation of equality
? Experience of working with individuals and groups in order to motivate and
change offending behaviour.
? Experience of working with people who have committed offences.
An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium
of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh
Technical
You must hold a Probation Officer qualification or be a qualified Probation Officer.
requirements
In addition, successful candidates must hold the following:
? PQF Honours Degree/Graduate Diploma and Level 5 Diploma in Probation
Practice; or
? Diploma in Probation Studies; or Diploma in Social Work (Probation option);
or CQSW (Probation option)
? Knowledge and understanding of the work of the Criminal Justice System
and the Probation Service.
? A working knowledge of relevant legislation and National Standards.
? Knowledge of Evidence Based Practice and risk/needs assessment tools.
Ability
Minimum Eligibility
Please do not alter this box
? All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up
post.
? All external candidates are subject to 6 months’ probation. Internal
candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a
probationary period within HMPPS.
? All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or
organisation which HMPPS consider to be racist.
Hours of Work
(Unsocial Hours)
Allowances
NPS-JES-0032_Probation Officer_v7.0
Success Profile
Strengths
It is advised strengths
Behaviours
Ability
Experience
Technical
are chosen locally,
recommended 4-8
You must hold a Probation Officer
Experience of working with a wide
qualification or be a qualified Probation
variety of people who have
Making Effective Decisions
Officer
experienced a range of
social/personal difficulties
PQF Honours Degree/Graduate
Diploma and Level 5 Diploma in
Experience of working with diverse
Probation Practice; Or Diploma in
Changing and Improving
communities including promoting
Probation Studies; or Diploma in
equality and valuing diversity.
Social Work (Probation option); or
CQSW (Probation option)
Knowledge and understanding of the
An understanding and appreciation
Working Together
work of the Criminal Justice System and
of equality
the Probation Service
Experience of working with
individuals and groups in order to
Knowledge of Evidence Based Practice
Delivering at Pace
motivate and change offending
and risk/needs assessment tools.
behaviour
Experience of working with people
A working knowledge of relevant
Communicating and Influencing
who have committed offences
legislation and National Standards
NPS-JES-0032_Probation Officer_v7.0