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HQ Job Description (JD)
Band 7
Directorate: Generic-Casework
Job Description: Casework Lead
Document Ref.
HQ JES 2147 Generic Casework Lead V3.0
Document Type
Management
Version
3.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
14 April 2025
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Job Evaluation Assurance and Support Team
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
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HQ-JES-2147 Generic Casework Lead V3.0
OFFICIAL
Job Description
Job Title
Casework Lead
Directorate
Generic - Casework
Band
7
Overview of the
HMPPS is an agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), a major
job
government department at the heart of the justice system.
Across HMPPS, all of our prisons, youth custody settings,
probation offices and HQ, teams have a vital role in delivering
our purpose and outcomes: protecting the public and reducing
reoffending.
Our vision is to work together to protect the public and help
people lead law-abiding and positive lives. Everyone who works
in HMPPS has a part to play in making these things happen.
Summary
The job holder will have responsibility for the day-to-day
operation of a busy casework team.
The job holder is expected to have strong generic casework
skills, good management skills and, a good understanding of
how establishments/probation function. Given that they often
need to draw upon the support and input of policy colleagues
across HMPPS /the Probation Service, they need to have an
excellent knowledge of the work of these areas and be able to
network effectively.
The post holder will manage the team as well as dealing with a
number of requests direct. They will be responsible for work
effectively across the Unit to meet key business objectives.
They will have responsibility for identifying problematic issues
and for ensuring that responses to key stakeholder
correspondence are compliant with, and accurately represent,
current HMPPS/Probation Service and Ministry of Justice (MoJ)
policy.
This is a non-operational HQ based role with line management
responsibilities.
Responsibilities,
The job holder will be required to carry out the following
Activities and
responsibilities, activities and duties:
Duties
• Oversee the management and drafting of good quality,
accurate and timely responses to official public
correspondence, including Ministerial and Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) letters, treat official correspondence, FOI
requests and Parliamentary Questions (PQs) on a complex
range of matters
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HQ-JES-2147 Generic Casework Lead V3.0
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• Reviewing and monitoring caseloads, identifying pressure
points and finding ways to manage the pressures to ensure
that business targets are met.
• Handling of complex and high-profile cases ensuring that
Press Office and Private Office are informed of any cases
that are likely to attract media attention. Provide Private
Office with urgent advice on sensitive or critical cases.
• Draft submissions for line manager approval and Senior
Officials’ signature.
• Represent the Service by attending case conferences,
settlement hearings and meetings with Counsel, ensuring
that the interests of the Ministry of Justice are protected.
• Act as a source of advice and assistance for colleagues
managing litigation (Government Legal Department, litigation
contacts within probation/prison service and MoJ). Provide
support and advice to ensure a consistent approach and
share learning.
• Oversee the work of the team to ensure the work is managed
efficiently and effectively ensuring that business targets are
met. Manage and improve the efficiency of the team.
• Personally manage a caseload that includes some high risk
and high-profile cases, ensuring that the reputation and
interests of the Service are protected. Brief Directors and
Deputy Directors as required.
• Undertaking detailed research for questions of policy and
providing interpretation of the published guidance.
• Providing weekly statistics to the Head of Team.
• The post holder will have direct line management
responsibility for team of staff. They will be required to ensure
that objectives are set and performance is reviewed, with
regular reviews to provide honest feedback and support
development to meet HMPPS objectives.
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
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
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HQ-JES-2147 Generic Casework Lead V3.0
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Strengths
Note: we recommend you choose 4 to 8 strengths locally - select
from the list of Civil Service strength definitions on the intranet.
Copy and paste the names of your chosen strengths below.
Experience
Technical
Requirements
Ability
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-2147 Generic Casework Lead V3.0