Ministry of Justice

Organisational Overview

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) protects people in England and Wales who may not have the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves, such as about their health and finance. We are an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), set up in 2007 following the introduction of the Mental Capacity Act of 2005.

OPG is responsible for registering lasting powers of attorney (LPA) and enduring powers of attorney (EPA) and supervising deputies who are appointed by the Court of Protection.

OPG is a fantastic place to work offering a range of development opportunities.  The OPG is a disability confident employer  and is committed to developing a supportive and inclusive environment that reflects the diverse community we serve.

OPG is currently delivering an ambitious transformation programme. This will change the way we provide services and help us meet the growing needs of our users, partners and our stakeholders. It will make sure our users experience a better level of support and will help us to respond to the changing needs of society. Transformation will ensure we can better support adults at risk and create high-quality services that are accessible and affordable.

Team Overview

As a member of the investigations team, you will have responsibility for your own caseload and will be expected to conduct investigations into concerns raised about attorneys’ behaviour and matters of capacity which may be in breach of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA), Code of Practice and associated regulations. Through liaising with various parties, you will gather adequate evidence and use this to deliver a timely, thorough and objective reports for the Public Guardian which will address any concerns raised and make appropriate recommendations.

You will be expected to collaborate with your peers and wider group of colleagues in sharing of best practice, supporting, coaching and developing them and you will be getting involved in working groups which serve to improve our working practice and enhance our profile across OPG.

In your role, you will also need to keep your own knowledge up to date and be aware of any legislative changes, changes in policies and procedures and align your practice with these so that you can continue delivering effective and professional service.

The successful candidate’s office location will be either Birmingham (Victoria Square House) or Nottingham (Embankment House). We encourage a hybrid way of working which includes some remote/home working alongside office working. You will be working in the site of your choice and may have to visit the other site as and when required.

Duties and Responsibilities 

•             Conduct investigations about the way in which attorneys are exercising their powers under a registered LPA PFA / H&W or EPA following concerns raised internally and/or externally.

Liaise with attorneys and third parties as appropriate to gather the required information and evidence in order to prove or disprove allegations and to achieve outcomes in the best interests of donors lacking mental capacity to make decisions.

•             Undertake safeguarding actions as required throughout the life of the investigation. Refer matters to the police, local authorities or other agencies where evidence is held to suggest criminal activity or a safeguarding concern.

•             Complete accurate and thorough reports for the Public Guardian and for the Court of Protection, with clear and justifiable recommendations.

•             Implement the Public Guardian’s recommendations.

•             Produce witness statements for the Court of Protection, implement and respond to directions made by the Court of Protection. This may require attendance at court hearings.

•             Understand how your area of work feeds into the wider operation of SIS.

•             Regularly monitor your performance against key milestones and act promptly to reassess workloads and priorities when there are conflicting demands to maintain performance.

•             Work proactively with colleagues across all OPG sites to ensure a professional and responsive approach to the investigation of concerns raised under an LPA/EPA. Remain alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact your work area.

•             Contribute and participate at local management meetings and business level (across site) forums. Proactively lead and participate in relevant working groups and committees.

•             Support and offer constructive feedback to less experienced team members by coaching and providing guidance and advice when appropriate.

•             Maintain an awareness of changes to the Mental Capacity Act, the OPG’s external activity with stakeholders and other internal and external activities likely to impact on your area of responsibility.

•             Remain alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact your work area.

•             Encourage teamwork within your own unit and across other departments.

Customer service and continuous improvement

•             Continually develop and maintain knowledge of Public Guardian functions and responsibilities, encouraging your colleagues and team members to do the same.

•             Embed continuous improvement behaviours through the application of tools and techniques, promoting and demonstrating a leadership culture within OPG.

Work with business colleagues across OPG to improve performance

•             Participate and occasionally lead relevant working groups both on immediate team and widely across OPG.

•             Encourage a culture of team working and unified contribution to the aims and objectives of OPG.

•             Support peers to progress investigations accurately and at pace.

•             Engage with internal and external stakeholders to develop good working relationships and raise the profile of OPG.

•             Develop effective and collaborative working relationships with immediate colleagues, and wider OPG teams.

•             On occasions represent OPG by working with external bodies to promote the safeguard of vulnerable adults.

Policy and management

•             Maintain an awareness of any updates to key policies including MoJ policies and internal OPG policies including the OPG Safeguarding Policy.

•             Have an awareness of any key legislative change including the Mental Capacity Act and The Care Act.

•             Contribute to OPG meeting its business plan objectives in your area.

Equality and Diversity

•             Positively promote and implement diversity, inclusion and quality of opportunity in all areas of work.

Health and Safety

•             Take reasonable care for own Health and Safety and for the safety of others and abide by OPG Health & Safety Procedure.

Protocol

•             You will be expected to work within a team of Executive Office colleagues in Supervision & Investigation Services (SIS), and if necessary (after consultation), be rotated into posts within the wider business to support business needs or further your own personal development.

Agreed Expectations

The successful candidate will be expected to work from their base location on a weekly basis in line with current Civil Service requirements, outside of any reasonable adjustments.

Hybrid Working

In OPG’s LPA Investigations team we offer hybrid working. This is subject to business needs and satisfactory performance and it’s a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement while your office will be your contractual place of work. Hybrid working is available pro rata for part time staff.

All new starters in LPA Investigations team are required to attend the office full time (37 hours per week) during the first 4 weeks of technical training. Following those initial weeks, you are expected to continue your training and consolidation in the office but any agreements for part time working can commence.

We require part time staff to commit to at least 22:12 working hours per week as a minimum.

Waiting List

Candidates who are recommended by the selection panel but not appointed to the current vacancy will be placed on a waiting list for 12 months.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, we may offer you an alternative role at the same or lower grade should one be available.

Skills & Qualifications

Essential Skills

•             Ability to interpret and comprehend financial evidence to make informed decisions. (Lead criteria)

•             Ability to produce high quality written reports containing analysis, conclusions and recommendations. (Lead criteria)

•             Effectiveness in time management and organisation of workload to meet conflicting deadlines. (Lead criteria)

•             Ability to work with minimal supervision and committed to give a high-quality performance in all aspects of the role.

•             Strong written, telephone and oral communication skills.

•             Proficient in the use of standard Microsoft office products.

Desirable Skills

•             Knowledge of the MCA and Code of Practice.

•             Investigative experience

Application process

This vacancy is being advertised using Success Profiles which will assess your Experience, Behaviours, Strengths and Technical Skills. There will be 3 stages to the application process.

Stage 1 – Sift

Candidates will be expected to provide a Personal Statement of Suitability (750 words maximum) in support of your application. This will be sifted on your specific examples of relevant skills and experience referenced to the Essential Skills criteria listed above. Please note that some of the essential skills have been marked as a lead criteria and we reserve right to score them as a priority if the number of applications is high.

We actively encourage you to sell yourself as an individual and the personal strengths and experience that you could bring to the role.

Stage 2 - Written Assessment

If you are successful at sift, you will be invited to attend a 30-minute written assessment which will test your technical skills. You will be asked to analyse pieces of evidence within a document shared with you at the beginning of the written assessment and make appropriate conclusions.

The written assessment will be held remotely via MS teams. You will be asked to have your camera on during the assessment.

Stage 3 – Interview

If you are successful at the written assessment, you will be invited to attend an interview. Candidates should expect Strength-based questions and questions relating to the following Civil Service Behaviours:

•             Making Effective Decision (Level 2)

•             Managing a Quality Service (Level 2)

•             Delivering at Pace (Level 2)

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

The interviews will be held remotely via MS teams. You will be asked to have your camera on during the interview.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

When completing your personal statement and choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.

Reasonable Adjustments

At OPG we consider all applications on the basis of merit and want you to feel able to demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. If you require any reasonable adjustments for any aspect of the selection process, do not hesitate to get in contact with us.

As a Disability Confident organisation, we will offer a guaranteed interview to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for this role. If you are applying for a role within OPG and would like to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please indicate this in your application and let us know of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the selection process.

For further information on benefits of working for OPG, such as our Flexible Working Policy and a FAQ, please check the candidate information pack attached to this advert.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, we may offer you an alternative role at the same or lower grade should one be available.