OFFICIAL
HQ Job Description (JD)
Band 9
Directorate: South West, South Central and
Public Protection
Job Description: Head of Pre-Release and
Specialist Casework (PPS)
Document Ref.
HQ JES 0056 Head of Pre-Release and Specialist
Casework (PPS)
Document Type
Management
Version
4.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
10 July 2025
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Job Evaluation Assurance and Support Team
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
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HQ JES 0056 Head of Pre-Release and Specialist Casework v4.0
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Job Description
Job Title
Head of Pre-Release and Specialist Casework (PPS)
Directorate
South West, South Central and Public Protection
Band
9
Overview of the
The Public Protection Casework Section (PPCS) is placed within
job
the Public Protection Group of the Directorate for South West,
South Central and Public Protection.
The post of Head of Pre-Release and Specialist Casework within
PPCS is based in HQ. It is not operational, although the
business objectives of PPCS are focused on delivering frontline
public protection casework.
The Head of Pre-Release and Specialist Casework is
responsible for managing and delivering:
• The parole review of 3,500 indeterminate sentence prisoners
each year;
• The handling of complex Parole Board directions and
representing the Secretary of State at Parole Board hearings
where required;
• Taking decisions on behalf of the Secretary of State in
respect of the timing of future parole reviews, transfers to
open conditions and whether to return indeterminate
prisoners to open conditions;
• Handling of complex and high profile cases, judicial reviews
and compensation claims;
• The Tariff Expired Removal Scheme, parole reviews for
indeterminate foreign national prisoners and effective
cooperation with UKBA Criminal Cases Directorate;
• Responses to enquiries and issues arising in respect of the
determinate prisoners parole process, including any residual
central casework responsibilities;
• Parole reviews for indeterminate sentence prisoners
discharged by an MHRT, and restricted transfers of cases
outside of the jurisdiction;
• The calculation of tariffs and tariff reviews for HMP cases , as
well as providing briefing on tariff related enquiries;
• Leading on parole reviews in respect of TACT cases, and for
establishing effective working relationships with SOCA, the
Home Office and Security Services;
• Responding to requests for information under the Freedom of
Information Act and providing draft replies to PQs and
briefing for PMQs; and
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The job holder will report to the Head of Public Protection
Casework Section. They will be responsible for overseeing and
delivering all of the above areas of business. This will be
achieved through direct line management of the following:
Deputy Head of Casework - Pre-Release
Summary
The job holder oversees the management of 42 staff (direct line
management for 1).
They will have responsibility for: managing an efficient and timely
parole process for the review of 3,500 indeterminate sentence
prisoners, ensuring that the parole process is completed on time
and against performance targets; the handling of complex Parole
Board directions; overseeing the handling of complex and high
profile cases, including judicial review and compensation claims.
The post holder will oversee the effective operation of the NOMS
responsibilities in relation to the Tariff Expired Removal Scheme,
There are 1,000 indeterminate sentence foreign national
prisoners in custody at any one time. The post holder is also
responsible for the delivery of parole reviews in respect of
indeterminate foreign national prisoners who cannot be removed
under TERS. They are responsible for delivering on processes
designed to ensure that there are effective working relationships
with UKBA.
The post holder will also oversee the delivery of parole reviews
for a range of other special groups of indeterminate sentence
prisoners, including: those discharged by an MHRT; those on a
restricted transfer outside of the jurisdiction; those serving a
sentence for a TACT offence and a residual group of
determinate sentence prisoners who remain eligible for parole
reviews. The post holder is also the lead for tariff and oversees
the calculation of tariffs, the review of tariffs for HMPS and
providing briefing on tariff related issues.
They will be responsible for the analysis of performance
management information, identifying defects and devising
solutions.
The job holder will have a key and leading role in building and
sustaining relationships with other agencies, particularly the
Parole Board, Probation Trusts and prisons. They will have a
strategic awareness of multi-agency processes and will be adept
at working with other agencies in delivering multi-agency
solutions to problems, such as information sharing arrangements
between Prison Service psychologists and the Parole Board.
The job holder will use evidence of effectiveness to develop and
support policy and practice.
The role also involves addressing internal and external
stakeholders, explaining Government policy and NOMS
operational practice and defending it when required.
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Responsibilities,
The job holder will be required to carry out the following
Activities and
responsibilities, activities and duties:
Duties
• The effective management of 42 staff, including direct line
management of one, oversight of recruitment and ensuring
that HR polices and practices are appropriately applied.
• Overseeing the operation of the indeterminate sentence
parole process; ensuring that 3,500 cases are referred to the
Parole Board annually and on time, with completed dossiers
of reports and with Parole Board directions managed
effectively and on time; releases are processed;
recommendations for open conditions are considered in
accordance with the published criteria; decisions on the
timing of further reviews are taken and the rationale is
explained to prisoners; returns to closed conditions are
reviewed and handled effectively; and the pre-tariff sift is
applied appropriately.
• Oversee the operation of the Tariff Expired Removal
Scheme, approving the removal of prisoners under the
scheme after all the necessary checks have been made;
making recommendations for refusal after having identified
cases where the refusal criteria are met; and responsibility for
the NOMS PSI on TERS operational practices and processes
and for ensuring that the processes dovetail with those of
UKBA. The post holder will jointly chair quarterly meetings
with UKBA CCD managers to ensure that there are effective
processes for the sharing of information and that complex
casework issues are resolved.
• The post holder also has responsibility for overseeing the
parole review process for indeterminate foreign national
prisoners who cannot be removed under TERS and for
ensuring that the Parole Board is provided with adequate
details on the prisoner’s immigration status by UKBA.
• The post holder will also oversee the delivery of parole
reviews for a range of other special groups of indeterminate
sentence prisoners, including: those discharged by an MHRT;
those on a restricted transfer outside of the jurisdiction; those
serving a sentence for a TACT offence and a residual group
of determinate sentence prisoners who remain eligible for
parole reviews.
• The handling of complex Parole Board directions and
representing the Secretary of State at Parole Board hearings
where required.
• The post holder is also overall responsible for tariff setting
and oversees the calculation of tariffs, the review of tariffs for
HMPS and providing briefing on tariff related issues.
• Handling of complex and high profile cases, judicial reviews
and compensation claims, ensuring that senior managers and
ministers are provided with prompt and accurate advice and
that press office colleagues are assisted in providing accurate
lines to take;
• Ensuring there are robust QA systems in place, including
adequate provision for internal guidance and staff training,
systems for monitoring the quality of data entry and for
ensuring that it is consistently accurate, and systems for
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ensuring that processes are followed and non-compliance is
quickly identified;
• Building effective working relationships with stakeholders,
including UKBA, Parole Board, Probation Trusts, Police
Forces, security services, prisons etc, identifying prisons and
probation trusts whose performance gives cause for concern
and negotiate improvements;
• Carrying out internal investigations on behalf of Head of
Group/Section.
• Ensuring that internal processes are continually under review
so that they are efficient and cost effective; and
• Representing the Section and explaining the work of the
Section to internal and external audiences.
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.
Civil Service Success Profile Criteria
Behaviours
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• 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 working successfully with senior
stakeholders.
• Strong team leadership qualities.
• Strong written skills, verbal and non-verbal communications
skills.
• Showing and demonstrating wider detailed experience in
some or all of the following areas would also be desirable:
o Policy implementation and the leadership of complex high-
profile casework.
o The ability to communicate and engage with a wide range
of senior stakeholders to present ideas/proposals.
o An understanding of the Parole System.
Technical
None
Requirements
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HQ JES 0056 Head of Pre-Release and Specialist Casework v4.0
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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.
• The individual must be able to demonstrate a developed
ability and track record of working successfully with senior
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.
Minimum
• All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to
Eligibility
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 0056 Head of Pre-Release and Specialist Casework v4.0