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General Information

Salary
£35,130 - £42,000
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
23-May-2025
Business Unit
AGY - NOMS Agency
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Other
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
5661

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Important Information for Candidates

Learner Coach

PS Band 4, Workforce and Capability, Transforming Delivery Directorate

Job Profile

Job Title:  Learner Coach

Grade  PS Band 4

Team: Workforce and Capability

Directorate: Transforming Delivery Directorate

Location and Working Pattern:  National role. Full time (37 hours) location to be agreed.  As per current office based working requirements (as of March 2025 - 60% office-based working).

Duration:  Permanent

Level of NSV required: Enhanced Level 2

Contact Kathleen.Mitchell2@justice.gov.uk / Anni.Bridge@justice.gov.uk  / Inga.Markelyte@justice.gov.uk

Background

The Learner Coach is a permanent role (not secondment) at PS Band 4 and subject to Probation Service terms and conditions that sits within Probation Learning Delivery (National). This is an excellent opportunity to play a key role in Learning and Development across Probation. The team is based in the Workforce and Capability function which is part of the Transforming Delivery Directorate in HMPPS.  The Job Description attached to this campaign has been provided as the closest available, a new Job Description for this role is being taken through the appropriate job evaluation process, in the meantime we are using historical Job descriptions as the closest available.

There are some important amendments;

  • Learner Coaches play a critical role in the Probation Service – providing guidance, support, feedback and mentoring to new and experienced Probation Officers and Probation Service Officers to develop the skills and behaviours necessary to prevent victims and change lives.
  • The Learner Coach role is a national role, with responsibility to facilitate learning events both virtually and in-person. Where physical face to face training is required, it will be delivered in a range of L&D venues and other nominated MOJ facilities. Overnight stays may be required to deliver such events.
  • These learning events are focused primarily on applied practice. They are underpinned by research evidence and best practice, supported with digital / online resources to support on-the-job performance. Learner Coaches will contribute to the development and amendment of the products, working with Design Faculty colleagues, who hold responsibility for the design of all new products.
  • Successful Learner Coaches are knowledgeable and inclusive facilitators and role models, able to flex their style and approach to meet the needs of individual learners as well as the HMPPS business plan and vision.

Main Activities/Responsibilities

The post holder will have the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

  • Deliver a portfolio of HMPPS/PS business specific training programmes, within the specified time frame, ensuring compliance with all relevant policies.
  • Create a learning environment, role-model new mindsets and behaviours, and provide structured feedback and support.
  • Manage and report on learners’ performance, development and attendance, submitting end-of-course paperwork where required and providing feedback to line-managers if appropriate.
  • Continually assess learners as to their competence, ability and aptitude against specified assessment criteria, through formative and summative assessments. This will include recognising the potential for bias to cloud judgement and working to ensure that assessment is at all times fair, objective and evidence based.
  • Stay up-to-date on relevant operational knowledge, including both current legislation and HMPPS/PS policies.
  • Provide subject specialist knowledge as appropriate to their curriculum area.
  • Ensure that the needs of individual learners are met by embedding equality considerations into all aspects of training and delivery and promoting inclusion consistent with the ethos of the organisation.
  • Ensure that any requirements in line with the Equality Act 2010 are met in relation to learner specific needs and workplace adjustments i.e. adaptation to both classroom environment and virtual settings as well as training aids/material being compliant with Assistive Technology.
  • Look after learners’ wellbeing, ensuring that support and signposting protocols are made available as appropriate.
  • Ensure that confidentiality and sensitivity awareness in relation to the management of individual learners will always be adhered to.
  • Manage information disclosed that has a bearing on risk to people on probation, victims or staff.

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.

Essential Skills, Qualifications, Accreditation and Registration

PLEASE NOTE: You do not need to fulfil all the technical requirements listed in the Job description. Learner Coaches are not required to be a qualified Probation Officer. The requirements are as follows:

  • A level 6 qualification in a recognised Probation Qualification Pathway or a level 6 teaching qualification.
  • A learner-centred approach to training, using facilitation skills to engage learners in dialogue and coaching learners to apply and practice new skills
  • Strong organisational skills, planning and attention to detail
  • A commitment to fostering the development of a diverse and inclusive workforce
  • Broadly knowledgeable of current operational practices across Probation, Prisons and Courts
  • Comfortable using remote learning platforms (such as MS Teams)

Assessment Criteria

  1. Application form
  2. Interview and presentation

Candidates invited to interview

Please note that interviews will be carried out remotely on MS Teams.

As part of the interview, you will be assessed against strengths-based criteria along with the behaviours as listed below:

Behaviours:

  1. Developing Self and Others (Lead)
  2. Leadership
  3. Working Together
  4. Communicating and Influencing

As a Disability Confident employer, the MoJ offers an interview to any disabled applicant who indicates they would like to be considered for an interview as a disabled applicant and meets the minimum criteria required for the role.

If you are assessed as meeting the minimum criteria, you can indicate that you would like to be considered for an interview as a disabled candidate by completing the related section of the application form.    

Applications will be anonymised before assessment.

If you have any queries about the role, or wish to discuss, please contact:

Anni.Bridge@justice.gov.uk

Inga.Markelyte@justice.gov.uk

Kathleen.mitchell2@justice.gov.uk

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

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 - 5661

If you have any queries about the role, or wish to discuss, please contact:

Anni.Bridge@justice.gov.uk 

Inga.Markelyte@justice.gov.uk

Kathleen.mitchell2@justice.gov.uk

 

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Delivering at Pace, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Leadership
Working Together
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
To be confirmed
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Leadership
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.

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used?
Presentation
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
DBS Enhanced