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General Information

Salary
£42,817 - £47,098
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time/Job Share
Vacancy Approach
Cross Government
Location
Croydon
Region
London
Closing Date
18-Aug-2025
Business Unit
AGY - NOMS Agency
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
HEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
8400

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Overview of the job 

The Mental Health Casework Section (MHCS) is part of the Public Protection Group (PPG) of the Southwest and South Central and Public Protection Directorate. The posts are based in HQ and located in East Croydon.

MHCS discharges the Secretary of State’s functions under the Mental Health Act 1983 in respect of restricted patients. These are mentally disordered offenders who present a risk of significant harm to the public. MHCS takes decisions on discharge, recall, community leave, transfer and provides advice and training to stakeholders including clinicians at consultant level on the management of restricted patients.

The post holder will play a key role in employing various analytical and forecasting techniques to support casework performance. This will include providing training to managers, organising quality assurance, assessing MHCS data, high-quality service delivery and day to day monitoring of IT systems for MHCS.

There is also a strong emphasis on continuous improvement within the section and the post holder will be expected to have experience of working within such an environment. The post holder will be responsible for overseeing the integrity of the data within our IT casework system (currently PPUD) and its use to inform statistical publications, FOIs, PQs and internal management decisions, ensuring the information is fit for purpose.

The post holder reports to the Head of the CPST and currently line manages one member of staff.

This is a non-operational role.

Summary       

Ideally, the post holder will have a background and aptitude for creating and analysing data.

The post holder is expected to be proactive and will be required to keep abreast of all strategic developments that are likely to impact on their work and working with the Head of CPST, initiate, or respond to, changes in the strategic direction of the section/ group. The post holder is accountable for the day-to-day management and delivery of an effective data quality assurance and IT function for MHCS and will work closely with our group statistician in ensuring the integrity of our data.

It is expected that the post holder will undertake the assessment and analysis of MHCS casework data generated on PPUD (central database), including casework processes and where necessary, identifying training needs. This task will sometimes require the post holder to highlight deficiencies in data quality and processes across all grades, including Senior Managers’ decisions in MHCS. You must enjoy working with data, with a focus on accuracy and delivering high-quality projects and products for stakeholders

and internal teams. You must be happy working in a fast-paced process driven environment whilst understanding the importance of making decisions according to legislation and guidelines.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties   

The post holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities, and duties:

  • Will be expected to manage the resources of their team to deliver its programme of work, using line management and matrix management skills.
  • As the lead for MHCS IT, monitor the provision of IT services, including PPUD, resolving problems, consulting with IT suppliers and/or escalating to senior managers as necessary.
  • Be data driven and use a variety of software and tools to analyse and interpret data to produce conclusions and recommendations. Summarising and presenting data and conclusions in the most appropriate format for users.
  • Leading on the development and enhancement of the PPUD functionality to meet ongoing and future business requirements and working with the Head of CPST to oversee the delivery of these enhancements.
  • Automating data management activities where possible and develop processes to enable good data management practices and compliance with data governance policies.
  • Ensure our case management system (PPUD) has the ability to draw data that is accurate and liaising with internal and external stakeholders where enhancements can be made.
  • Provision of performance management MI, evaluating trends and best practice. This will include taking day to day responsibility for the development and production of a range of performance data to use in the publication of statistical bulletins, ensuring that the data is accurate and robust, and using such analysis to understand and further improve performance.
  • Use innovative tools to deliver suitable Management Information (MI) dashboards and reports, ensuring these are generated accurately and on time.
  • Provision of MI to meet requests under FOI and DPA legislation.
  • Provide senior managers with draft responses to Parliamentary Questions, Treat Official, Freedom of Information as well as contributing to briefings for ministers and senior managers.
  • Undertake thematic quality assurance of MHCS decisions and electronic case management data.
  • Oversee the management and implementation of the quality assurance framework, to provide the Head of MHCS with confidence our decisions are subject to scrutiny and reports are shared within defined deadlines with the Head of CPST and Head of MHCS.
  • Provide policy and operational support by producing ad hoc MI reports and responding to data/analysis requests when required.
  • Support and train MHCS staff in the effective use of IT systems, especially PPUD.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The post 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 post holder.

Civil Service Success Profile Criteria

Behaviours   

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Changing and Improving
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Working Together

Essential Experience           

  • Experience of using appropriate tools and software to analyse data, such as advanced Excel and Power BI to gain insight and evidence that solves problems or questions.
  • Experience of working under pressure and to tight deadlines.
  • Experience of influencing and persuading stakeholders in a range of organisations and settings.
  • Ability to pick up new technologies relevant to data manipulation and data analytics.

Ability

  • Strong communication (written and verbal), leadership and partnership working skills.
  • IT Skills, including advanced Excel and Microsoft 365.
  • Numerical and analytical skills.
  • Highly organised with the aptitude to deliver effectively at pace - you will be comfortable monitoring and challenging yours and others' progress against milestones, balancing competing priorities and taking responsibility for delivering expected results.
  • Proactive in your approach - you are an analytical person who always looks to identify risks and mitigating actions in advance, challenge the status-quo and find new and better ways of doing things.
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.

If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff.

The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.

Benefits

Annual Leave

-The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case.

Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays

-You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays.

Pension

-The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Work Life Balance

HM Prison & Probation Service  (HMPPS) is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements. Work life balance provides greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wherever managers and establishments can accommodate requests to do so. HMPPS offers flexible working subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period and NVQ

Season Ticket Advance

-After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer-period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work

Childcare Vouchers

For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers

Training

HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including areas such as Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti Bullying Programmes

-There are opportunities to access promotion programmes and HMPPS provides a variety of training appropriate to individual posts

-All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles

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 the HMPPS considers to be racist

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 - 8400

Please contact George.o’mahoney@justice.gov.uk if you have any questions regarding this vacancy.

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Managing a Quality Service, 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
Changing and Improving
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
Working Together
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
To be confirmed
Behaviours
Changing and Improving
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
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.
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
Enhanced Baseline Standard (EBS)