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General Information

Salary
£26,475 - £31,650
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Aylesbury, Bicester, Bracknell, High Wycombe, Oxford, Reading, Slough
Region
South Central
Closing Date
22-Apr-2025
Business Unit
NPS South Central Community Integration (2021)
Post Type
Fixed Term, Loan
Civil Service Grade
Other
Number of jobs available
2
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
4279

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Overview of the job    

To manage and maintain systems to provide a comprehensive Peer Mentoring service in the local area.
The role is regionally based and reports to the regional Engaging People on Probation (EPOP) manager. The postholder will manage and supervise up to 15 volunteer peer mentors, with responsibility for recruiting and coordinating peer mentors in Probation.

The postholder does not require a probation qualification but will need a keen understanding of risk and other operational issues.

The postholder will desirably have lived experience of the criminal justice system.

Summary    

The Peer Mentor Coordinator will ensure a Peer Mentoring service in their local area.
Liaising with Commissioned Rehabilitative Service Providers to identify opportunities for Peer Mentor involvement and employment. Promoting the Going Forward into Employment scheme across the region and with Peer Mentors.

Supporting the regional Engaging People on Probation (EPOP) Plan, including, maximising opportunities to capture People on Probation (PoP) insights.

The role will need to liaise with the EPOP Contract Supplier as required. Working flexibly across operational sites as required.

The role will be required to keep abreast of development in services, legislation and practice relevant to Peer-Led Work, Engaging People on Probation and broader Service User Engagement. Ensuring high standards of safeguarding and risk management are adhered to and implementation of Probation Service policies.
Contribute to maintaining safe systems of work and a safe environment.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties    

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

•    Recruitment, assessment and training of new Peer Mentors across the region.
•    Ongoing management and supervision of Peer Mentors, including wellbeing support, coaching and development work to improve Peer Mentor skills and capability.
•    Supporting the establishment of a Development and Progression Pathway for all Peer Mentors.
•    Working with Peer Mentors and colleagues to develop, review and harmonise the Peer Mentoring arrangements across the region, implementing ‘Peer-Led Work: Conditions of Success’.
•    Delivery of Peer Mentor-led activities in a variety of group based settings to include where appropriate (list not exhaustive):
o    Probation offices
o    Approved Premises
o    Community Payback inductions and group sessions
o    External providers of women’s services
•    Identifying further opportunities for the involvement of Peer Mentors.
•    Liaising with Commissioned Rehabilitative Service Providers to identify opportunities for Peer Mentor involvement and employment.
•    Promoting the Going Forward into Employment scheme across the region and with Peer Mentors.
•    Supporting the regional Engaging People on Probation (EPOP) Plan, including:
o    Maximising opportunities to capture PoP insights
o    Establishing local PoP Focus Groups
o    Establishing a regional Lived Experience Panel
•    Liaising with the EPOP Contract Supplier as required.
•    To manage and maintain systems to provide a comprehensive Peer Mentoring service in the local area.
•    To assist in the development and delivery of the regional Peer Mentoring Delivery Plan.
•    To attend Team Meetings with regional counterparts.
•    To contribute to the development of the national Peer Mentoring picture as required.
•    Champion the value of Peer Mentors, and of the Engaging PoP agenda, to colleagues and partners.

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 the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.

An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.
 
Civil Service Success Profile Criteria

Behaviours    

•    Seeing the Big Picture
•    Changing and Improving
•    Leadership
•    Communicating and Influencing
•    Working Together
•    Managing a Quality Service

Experience    

•    Desirable - Lived experience of prison and/or probation.
•    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.
•    Understanding of risk management and assessment, understanding of multiagency 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 improvement 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 service’s health and safety policies.

Ability    

•    Communicate confidently and effectively, verbally and in writing.
•    Good written and communication skills, including familiarity with report writing at senior levels and writing communications that are appropriate at all levels of literacy.
•    Proven ability to build effective working relationships, both within a team and through networking with other organisations to achieve an aim.
•    Show a capacity to work independently and the ability to keep calm under pressure.
•    Good IT skills including proven experience of using Word, Excel and Outlook in a similar work environment.

Additional Information

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). 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 roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

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.

Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS 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 HMPPS’ 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, plus public holidays. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis

Pension

The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF).  Please visit www.gmpf.org.uk for further information.

Please note: Any current Civil Servant who is a member of the PCSPS, by accepting an offer of employment to the National Probation Services will be opted out of the PCSPS and auto enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.

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.

Eligibility

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post

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.

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.

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

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 4279

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 4279

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Changing and Improving
Communicating and Influencing
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
Statement of Suitability
Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
Can you please give an example when you have supported people and maximised their opportunities in developing themselves and how you achieved this
Evidence of Experience
Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Interviews expected to be late April / early May 2025
Behaviours
Leadership
Managing a Quality Service
Seeing the Big Picture
Working Together
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Level of security checks required
Enhanced Baseline Standard (EBS)