Head of Group

Reward Team

Job Title

Senior Probation Officer

Directorate

National Probation Service

Band

5

Overview of the job

This is a management role within the National Probation Service (NPS).

The Senior Probation Officer supports the Head of Operational Function to provide management and a leading role within a Local Delivery Unit (LDU) or other operational unit.

Summary

The job holder will be expected to manage and lead staff within the operational area to the required standard, and will offer support and cover to other teams/functions during periods of absence.

In line with NPS policies and procedures, the job holder must at all times demonstrate a commitment to equality and inclusion and an understanding of their relevance to the work they do.

The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position.

If relevant to the role, some out of hours working may be required

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

Senior Probation Officers may be required to undertake any combination, or all, of the duties and responsibilities set out below.

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To provide effective management and leadership to the team

To be accountable for the quality delivery of good practice and team

performance improvement within policy and national standards

• To ensure that all team resources, including interventions, are deployed cost effectively and provide best value in terms of both budget control and realising the organisation’s strategic aims

• To ensure that staff can efficiently and effectively meet the requirements of
  the NPS’ contract with HMPPS, Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRC) and local business plans as required

• To access, interpret, analyse and apply performance data pro-actively in
  order to maximise LDU/team performance, evaluate practice and deliver organisational aims

• To proactively manage staff development, issues of underperformance, attendance, health and safety, employee relations and diversity matters. Adopt a consistent, fair and objective standpoint when making decisions in relation to individual staff issues

• To ensure that offender managers manage risk appropriately, and meet all
  public protection standards and targets

• To contribute directly to public protection through multi-agency arrangements and individual casework review, discussion and feedback

• To promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement to service
  delivery

• To manage financial resources for your area of responsibility as required by
  your Head of Operational Function and in line with HMPPS financial regulations and policies. To authorise expenditure within financial limits

• In accordance with the business plan, to provide a leading role and direction
  in work with partners and key stakeholders, and represent the NPS as appropriate to the role

• To facilitate effective communication between the LDU/Operational Unit management team and internal and external partners

• To play an active part in the corporate management of the NPS as necessary,
  as a member of the LDU/Operational Unit Management Team

• To undertake specific areas of responsibility as delegated by the Head of Operational Function.

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

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

• To 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 Job Evaluation and shall be discussed in the first instance with the Job Holder.

Behaviours

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Working Together

Developing Self and Others

Delivering at Pace

Managing a Quality Service

Making Effective Decisions

Communicating and Influencing

Leadership

Strengths

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

Essential Experience

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Substantial experience with a proven record of good practice in a variety of settings (including offender risk assessment and management) as a Probation Officer or from working within another criminal justice agency or related work context

Understanding of the role of the Probation Service in the Criminal Justice System and in a multi-disciplinary setting.

Knowledge and understanding of the factors which influence engagement with victims

Experience of risk management and assessment, understanding of multi- agency risk assessment and management procedures

Evidence of ability to evaluate practice

Evidence of ability to provide a practice perspective on policy development Experience of working under pressure and fulfilling demanding deadlines Experience of working flexibly as a member of a team to achieve performance targets

Experience of contributing to the provision of effective administration and information systems

Demonstrable achievements in managing/supporting change and effecting improvements in quality and efficiency

Able to demonstrate well developed IT skills, including evidence of ability to interpret and apply performance reports

Experience of proactively championing diversity and inclusiveness both internally and externally

Ability to implement the services health and safety policies

An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh

Technical 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:

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Diploma in Probation Studies,

Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)

CQSW (with Probation Option)

Ability

Minimum Eligibility

Please do not alter this box

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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

performance targets

interpret and apply performance reports

Communicating and Influencing

Experience of contributing to the provision of effective

administration and information systems

Leadership

Demonstrable achievements in managing/supporting change and effecting improvements in quality and efficiency

Experience of proactively championing diversity and

inclusiveness both internally and externally

Evidence of ability to implementing the services health and safety policies