Skip to content

General Information

Salary Range
£40,001 to £50,000, £50,001 to £60,000
Working Pattern
Full Time
Location
Accrington, Barrow-in-Furness, Birkenhead, Blackburn, Blackpool, Bootle, Burnley, Carlisle, Chester, Chorley, Crewe, Huyton, Kendal, Lancaster, Liverpool, Northwich, Penrith, Preston, Runcorn, Skelmersdale, Warrington, Workington
Region
North West
Closing Date
05-Dec-2024
Business Unit
North West Probation Service
Post Type
Permanent
Job ID
587

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Overview of the job

Working at the direction of the Head of Operational Function the post holder will be deployed to a variety of roles in order to provide strategic support. Summary To support the Head of LDU Cluster providing management and leadership within the National Probation Service (NPS) Local Delivery Unit (LDU). To represent the Head of LDU Cluster with external agencies/stakeholders and staff as appropriate. The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position. May be required to participate in out of hours on call rota.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

Senior Operational Support Manager may be required to undertake any combination, or all, of the duties and responsibilities as directed by the Head of Operational Function as set out below:

• Cluster operational lead on caseload segmentation issues such as Child Sexual Exploitation, Guns and Gangs, Integrated Offender Management etc. ? Operational support to the Head of Cluster within relevant Probation Instruction criteria and rules such as Recall, High Risk of Serious Harm Case Transfers, etc.

• Providing support to the Head of Cluster within the relevant Probation Instruction criteria and rules such as, grievance, discipline, capability, complaints, etc.

• Responsible for the professional development of cluster staff

• Responsible for developing and deploying the Cluster Training Needs Analysis

• Ensure effective cluster employee recruitment and induction

• Act as cluster lead for performance & quality

• Act as cluster lead for audits and inspections

• Operational support to the Head of Cluster in completing reviews and delivery of action plans such as Domestic Homicides, Serious Further Reviews, Serious Case Reviews, etc.

• Responsible for the management of the Business Manager and the administrative support functions within the cluster

• Under the guidance of the Head of LDU Cluster; represent the NPS in local strategic partnerships and ensure appropriate representation within wider partnership frameworks in line with statutory responsibilities and operational policy

• Participate in the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) locally in conjunction with other responsible authorities including the chairing of MAPPA level 3 meetings

• In the absence of the Head of LDU Cluster to make decisions and provide advice on the management of offenders where senior management authorisation or involvement is necessary e.g. authorising the recall of offenders to prison

• Operational support to the Head of cluster in the management of complaints within the cluster and direct involvement in complaint resolution where necessary

• Under the guidance of the Head of LDU Cluster to take the lead on specific divisional or cluster projects/portfolios including Equality and Diversity, Reward and Recognition, etc. NPS-JES-0041_ Pay Band 6 Senior Operational Support Manager_3.0

• Operational support to the Head of cluster in cluster compliance with Health and Safety legislation.

• Senior Management responsibility for estates, buildings and maintenance activities within the cluster

• Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes

or

• Carry out safeguarding children and safeguarding adult duties in accordance with the NPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies

• Work within the aims and values of NPS and HMPPS The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post at present and are not exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alteration sand additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under job evaluation and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder. Behaviours

• Leadership

• Making Effective Decisions

• Working Together

• Delivering at Pace

• Communicating and Influencing

• Managing a Quality Service

• Changing and Improving

Strengths It is advised strengths are chosen locally, recommended 4-8.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience at middle manager level, including the management of staff

• Experience of monitoring performance in area of responsibility against predetermined targets, setting local targets and effecting necessary improvements

• Experience of budgetary control incl. procurement ? Experience of managing relationships incl. working with key local agencies and stakeholders

• Evidence of preparing high level written reports to a good standard Technical requirements A qualification in one of the following areas:

• Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice.

• Or, a qualification which was recognised at the time of qualification by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007.

The following qualifications gained in England and Wales were previously recognised as providing such eligibility:

o Diploma in Probation Studies

o Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)

o CQSW (with Probation Option) Knowledge of the wider criminal justice system Ability NPS-JES-0041_ Pay Band 6 Senior Operational Support Manager_3.0 Minimum 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 (Unsocial Hours) Allowances 37 hours a week 

Job Description Attachment
Download NPS-JES-0041-Senior-Operational-Support-Manager-v3
Additional Information

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com

Please quote the job reference 587

The Deputy Head of Public Protection supports the Head in managing public protection delivery within the North West Probation region. They oversee Offender Management in Custody (OMiC), resettlement, pre-release, polygraph, and women on Probation as key priority areas in the public protection portfolio. The role includes line management responsibility.

The responsibilities, activities, and duties include:

·       Strategic responsibility for resettlement delivery and line management of Pre-release team SPO’s and SAO.

·       Strategic oversight of OMiC delivery in the Region, working closely with Prison Governors and Heads of Probation Delivery Units.

·       Strategic lead for effective delivery of polygraph and line management of two Band 5 Polygraph Examiners.

·       Strategic lead for the women’s action plan and line management of the women’s strategic lead SPO.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post at present and are not exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

 Essential Experience:

 Significant experience at middle manager level, including the management of staff

· Experience of monitoring performance in area of responsibility against predetermined targets, setting local targets and effecting necessary improvements

· Experience of managing relationships incl. working with key local agencies and stakeholders

· Evidence of preparing high level written reports to a good standard.

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 SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please see our Disability Confident Scheme Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

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.

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, , 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
500
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Managing a Quality Service
Changing and Improving
Technical
Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit
500
Please outline your experience and suitability for the role including confirmation that you have the essential Probation Qualification as detailed below.


A qualification in one of the following areas:

• Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice
• Or, a qualification which was recognised at the time of qualification by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007.

The following qualifications gained in England and Wales were previously recognised as providing such eligibility:
o Diploma in Probation Studies
o Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)
o CQSW (with Probation Option) Knowledge of the wider criminal justice system
Specific qualification requirements
A qualification in one of the following areas:

• Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice
• Or, a qualification which was recognised at the time of qualification by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007.

The following qualifications gained in England and Wales were previously recognised as providing such eligibility:
o Diploma in Probation Studies
o Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)
o CQSW (with Probation Option) Knowledge of the wider criminal justice system

Interview stage assessments

Behaviours
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Managing a Quality Service
Changing and Improving
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.