Senior Leadership

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Please ensure you have the essential experience and qualifications to apply for this role as per the job description.

Overview of the job    

This is a management role reporting to the Head of Public Protection, responsible for managing a cluster of Approved Premises (AP) within a Division.

Summary    

To provide management and leadership within the National Probation Service (NPS) with responsibility for resources, the strategic direction and operational management of a cluster of Approved Premises.

To offer support and cover to other AP Clusters during periods of absence. To participate in the out of hours Senior Management on call rota
To represent the Deputy Director or Head of Public Protection for Approved Premises with external stakeholders and other staff
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 job holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties    

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

•    Demonstrate leadership and innovation in the implementation of strategy and operational delivery.
•    Deliver performance and quality targets
•    Manage the devolved budget for the AP Cluster and manage resources effectively
•    Demonstrate ability to meet competing demands across geographical areas
•    Demonstrate ability to manage middle managers /other staff and employee relations across the  AP Cluster in line with HMPPS policies
•    Ensure AP staff contribute to and support risk management plans, including engagement with MAPPA
•    Where senior management authorisation or involvement is required provide advice and make decisions on the management of high risk offenders, ensure appropriate placements are available within the AP estate
•    As a member of the AP divisional management team play an active part in the corporate management of the NPS as necessary. Take lead responsibility for specific projects/portfolios
•    Provide a leading role and provide direction in work with partners and key stakeholders.  Represent the NPS as appropriate to the role
•    Implement HMPPS equality strategy
•    Manage and participate in divisional out-of-hours on call rota.
•    Accountable for health and safety for the AP Cluster
•    Accountable for estates responsibilities for the AP Cluster
•    Carry out safeguarding children and safeguarding adult duties in accordance with the NPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies
•    Ensure the interests and concerns of the community local to each AP are met with an appropriate response.
•    Respond effectively to the operational risks to the AP and organisational risks to the wider NPS presented by a potential/actual significant incident.
•    Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes
•    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 alternations 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.

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

Behaviours    

Essential Experience   

•    Significant experience at middle manager level.
•    Substantial experience of management of staff and managing through change, including supervision, resource deployment, appraisals and motivating
•    Experience of monitoring performance in area of responsibility against predetermined targets, setting local targets and effecting necessary improvements
•    Experience of participating in commissioning and procurement processes or contract management
•    Experience of Health and Safety and Equalities management
•    Working with key local agencies and stakeholders to develop strong relationships
•    Preparing high level written reports
•    Experience of evaluating practise

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:

•    Diploma in Probation Studies,
•    Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)
•    CQSW (with Probation Option)

IT skills, including evidence of ability to interpret and apply performance reports

Hours of Work (Unsocial Hours) Allowances    

37 hours

Additional payments are made for out-of-hours work

Salary

£41,840 - £49,996

Additional Information

We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.

Application form stage assessments

Experience –Statement of Suitability – 1000 word limit

Technical Skills – 
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, including evidence of ability to interpret and apply performance reports – 250 words.

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.

Behaviours Leadership, Making Effective Decisions, Developing Self and Others

Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance.

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 working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. 

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 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

• To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. 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.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.