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General Information

Salary
£44,100 - £46,000
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Barnstaple, Bath, Bournemouth, Bridgwater, Bristol, Camborne, Chippenham, Dorchester, Exeter, Gloucester, Plymouth, Poole, Salisbury, St Austell, Swindon, Taunton, Torquay, Truro, Weston-super-Mare, Weymouth, Yeovil
Region
South West
Closing Date
29-Aug-2025
Business Unit
NPS South West Performance and Quality (2021)
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Other
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
8640

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Overview of the job

Working at the direction of the Head of Operational Function, the post holder will be responsible for managing formal serious further offence reviews and/or formal complaints investigations within the Division

Summary

  • To provide strategic operational leadership to a geographically dispersed specialist divisional team undertaking formal reviews and investigations
  • To support the Head of Operational Function providing management and leadership within the National Probation Service (NPS) Division.
  • To represent the Head of Operational Function 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

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

  • Manage and co-ordinate the work of a specialist divisional team undertaking formal reviews and investigations of Serious Further Offences and/or formal complaints in accordance with NPS policies and procedures
  • Responsible for the management and professional development of staff within the team
  • Ensure all formal complaints investigations and/or Serious Further Offence reviews within the Division are carried out in line with NPS standards and guidelines and to a good quality
  • Ensure that all data is handled and stored in accordance with NPS and HMPPS instructions
  • Conduct investigations/reviews in person when requested by the divisional senior management team in relation to high profile complaints/SFOs which present a reputational risk for NPS
  • Ensure the learning from complaints and/or SFOs is communicated through guidance and briefings to senior managers and all relevant practitioners within the Division, and to all external stakeholders as required, in order to contribute to the professional development of divisional staff
  • Provide advice and support on informal complaints, where necessary
  • Analyse data trends to ensure all relevant performance targets are met and maintained
  • Develop long term strategy for Serious Further Offences that meets the business needs
  • Oversee the investigation of other investigations including child safeguarding reviews, domestic homicide reviews, MAPPA serious case reviews
  • Develop and sustain effective working relationships with internal customers, key stakeholders and external agency partners in the Criminal Justice System and related bodies
  • Provide operational support to the Head of Operational Function within relevant Probation Instruction criteria and rules
  • Oversee the investigation of grievances, disciplinary matters and other internal staff investigations as required from time to time
  • Under the guidance of the Head of Operational Function to take the lead on specific projects/portfolios
  • Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes
  • 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 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.
Additional Information

You will be required to do a presentation during the Interview Process. You will be informed about this closer to the time. 

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:

- Diploma in Probation Studies

- Diploma in Social Work (with Probation option)

- CQSW (with Probation option)

IT skills 

We are recruiting for an SPO reviewer for the South West Investigation and Review Team. This role will involve completion of SFO reviews and responding to complaints & associated duties. We are looking for an experienced SPO with a thorough understanding of operational standards and expectations. The successful candidate will need to have good report writing skills and an eye for detail as well as the strong interpersonal skills required to interview and liaise with a range of grades of staff in what can be a sensitive and difficult process. The successful candidate will work as part of a small team but will need to be self-motivated and adept at keeping to deadlines. The role can be based anywhere within the SW region subject to local agreement.


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
Laura.fairgrieve@justice.gov.uk, emma.lee@justice.gov.uk

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: 8640

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: 8640

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Changing and Improving
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Managing a Quality Service
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History
Technical
Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Specific qualification requirements
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:

NPS-JES-0061 Review and Investigations Team Manager v4.0

Diploma in Probation Studies

Diploma in Social Work (with Probation option)

CQSW (with Probation option)

IT skills

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Interviews are expected to take place on the 22nd and 23rd of September 2025
Behaviours
Changing and Improving
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Developing Self and Others
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
Enhanced Baseline Standard (EBS)