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HQ Job Description (JD)
Band 11
Directorate - South West, South Central and Public
Protection Group
Job Description - Head of Public Protection
Casework Section (PPCS)
Document Ref.
HQ JES 0002 Head of Public Protection Casework
Section v2.0
Document Type
Management
Version
2.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
13 March 2025
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Job Evaluation Assurance and Support Team
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
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HQ JES 0002 Head of Public Protection Casework Section v2.0
OFFICIAL
Job Description
Job Title
Head of Public Protection Casework Section
Directorate
Directorate for South West, South Central and Public Protection
Group
Band
Band 11
Overview of the
The Public Protection Casework Section (PPCS) is placed within
job
the Public Protection Group of the HMPPS Wales Directorate.
The post of Head of Public Protection Casework Section within
PPCS. It is not operational, although the business objectives of
PPCS are focused on delivering frontline public protection
casework.
Through a large team, effectively deliver a range of statutory
casework functions relating to the Generic Parole Process, the
Recall Process, the re-release of prisoners through the Risk
Assessed Recall Review Process (RARR) and specialist
casework processes (e.g. Early Release on Compassionate
Ground, Tariff Expired Removal Scheme, the Royal Prerogative
of Mercy). Contribute and respond to legislation and policy
concerning the parole and recall system.
Summary
The job holder’s responsibilities include:
• Overseeing the management of a large team.
• Responsibility and accountability for a swift and effective
recall process for the recall of significant numbers of
prisoners.
• The re-release of prisoners using the Risk Assessed Recall
Review (RARR) power.
• Management of the parole review process for indeterminate
sentence prisoners.
• Driving up parole and recall performance across HMPPS
working with the Parole System Oversight Group to introduce
whole system improvements.
• The delivery of a range of casework functions in respect of
indeterminate and determinate sentence prisoners.
Responsibilities,
The job holder will be required to carry out the following
Activities and
responsibilities, activities and duties:
Duties
• Oversee and accountable for the operation of the
indeterminate sentence parole process; ensuring that cases
are referred to the Parole Board on time.
• Consider and make recommendations to senior managers
and ministers in respect of transfer of ISPs to open conditions
and the early release of prisoners on compassionate
grounds, remittance of time spent UAL, exercise of the Royal
Prerogative of Mercy and whether to authorise removal under
the tariff expired removal scheme.
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HQ JES 0002 Head of Public Protection Casework Section v2.0
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• Oversee and accountable for the effective operation of the
recall process, ensuring that recalls are processed annually
within target timescales.
• Oversee and accountable for the review and re-release
(using Secretary of State RARR powers) of recalled offenders
every year.
• Oversee efficient and timely handling of correspondence from
members of Parliament.
• Oversee handling of judicial reviews and compensation
claims, briefing senior managers and ministers and assessing
wider implications of judgments.
• Oversee and accountable for the development of PPUD into
a multi-agency national IT system, supporting parole and
recall processes, sharing information and monitoring
performance.
• Responsible for the production of end-to-end multi-agency
recall performance data for publication and MI purposes.
• Ensure collaborative working with Parole Board on recall and
parole processes and liaison with PSOG.
• Lead for PPG on Parole Board Rules, attending Rules
committee meetings.
• Lead for PPCS and contribute to development of the in-house
case management system (PPUD).
• Drafting of ministerial submissions, consultation documents,
explanatory guidance for Parliament, handling arrangements
etc.
• Ensure liaison with key stakeholders, including Parole Board,
Probation Service, Prisons, Police Forces, UKBA, Home
Office and YJB.
• Manage the development of training and the dissemination of
best practice to ensure Probation Service and public and
contracted out prisons operate the recall and parole
processes effectively.
• Chair national and regional stakeholder meetings as required.
• Prepare and present policy and practice options papers,
submissions etc for senior managers & Ministers on all areas
of responsibility.
• Provide advice to press office and other departments on
policy, performance and practice regarding the parole and
recall of offenders.
• Set the business plans for the section, agree budgets with the
head of Group and manage budgets to deliver agreed
outcomes; generate savings and efficiencies to enable
projected increases in caseloads to be absorbed, as far as
possible, within existing resources.
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
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HQ JES 0002 Head of Public Protection Casework Section v2.0
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through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales)
Welsh.
Civil Service Success Profile Criteria
Behaviours
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
Strengths
Note: we recommend you choose 4 to 8 strengths locally - select
from the list of Civil Service strength definitions on the intranet.
Experience
• An established and varied background of experience as a
senior manager.
• The record of achievement should be evident across their
current and previous role(s) and demonstrate a developed
ability and track record of delivering complex operational work
and working successfully with senior partners and
stakeholders.
• Strong team leadership qualities.
• Strong written, verbal and non-verbal communications skills.
• Showing and demonstrating wider detailed experience in
some or all of the following areas would also be desirable:
• Policy implementation and the leadership of complex high-
profile casework.
• The ability to communicate and engage with a wide range
of senior partners and stakeholders to present
ideas/proposals.
• An understanding of the Parole System.
Technical
N/A
Requirements
Ability
• The individual should have a well-developed knowledge and
understanding of HMPPS operations.
• The individual must be able to demonstrate a proven track
record of delivery and achievement in a complex working
environment.
• The individual must be able to demonstrate a developed ability
and track record of working successfully with senior partners
and stakeholders.
• The individual must have strong written skills, verbal and non-
verbal communications skills.
• The individual must be able to demonstrate resilience and
ability to handle significant levels of pressure whilst delivering
high profile outcomes.
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HQ JES 0002 Head of Public Protection Casework Section v2.0
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Minimum
Please do not alter this box
Eligibility
• 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
37 hour working week.
(Unsocial Hours)
Allowances
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HQ JES 0002 Head of Public Protection Casework Section v2.0