Operational Delivery

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.

Are you a confident communicator? Are you passionate about rehabilitation and the benefits of group-work? Could you help people make meaningful and sustained changes in their lives? If so, then a career as a Programmes Team Facilitator in South Central Probation Service could be for you.

As a Programmes Team Facilitator, you would be responsible for supporting people on probation through group-work and one to one treatment programmes, to address their offending behaviour and encourage them to make changes to live positive lives free from offending. The Programmes Team is a strong, inclusive and tight-knit team of people, from all walks of life, who are passionate about helping and motivating people on probation to achieve their potential and take control of their actions and behaviours. The Programmes Team deliver programmes in the areas of domestic violence, general offending and emotional management. As a Facilitator your role would be to plan, deliver and debrief a range of sessions to a group of individuals on key topics, such as assertive communication, thinking skills, problem solving, emotional management and social and relationship skills. The role of a Facilitator is a collaborative one.  You will work alongside your team mates to ensure that the people on probation receive the highest quality treatment and support, as well as sharing information and providing guidance to members of the wider organisation, such as Probation Practitioners and Partner Link Workers, to ensure the people on probation are fully supported throughout their rehabilitation journey.  

Additionally, the Programmes Team is committed to learning and development, and full training for the role of Facilitator is provided, with regular support and supervision being provided throughout your journey and you will receive regular feedback as you develop your facilitation skills. One of our Facilitators states: “It’s the best job in the world, I love working in groups and seeing how people can support each other. It’s such a privilege to be a part of their journey towards change”.

Requirements of the Programme Facilitator Role Include:

• To train in a deliver group work programmes as outlined in the Accredited Programme and Structured Interventions Manuals and in keeping with the core concepts of group work delivery.
• To monitor group participants progress, provide participants with feedback, and ensuring this is recorded on relevant systems.
• To work alongside Treatment Managers to contribute to the assessment of risk, protective factors and treatment targets of those attending group.
• Undertake regular feedback and development sessions and workshops.
• Liaise with Probation Practitioners, Partner Link Worker and partner agencies to share information on progress and risk.
• To identify and take the necessary actions to protect children and vulnerable adults and promote their welfare in accordance with safeguarding policies and procedures.
• To contribute to the assessment of risk that a group participant may pose.
• Work some evenings, and/weekends to ensure the groups are accessible outside normal working hours.
• To deliver groups from various delivery venues across the region.
• To work as a team to support performance targets and integrity requirements.

Overview of the job

The job holder will undertake the full range of work with offenders before and after sentence. This will include assessment, sentence implementation, offender management and producing reports. The job holder will provide case management support to a full range of offenders utilising service procedures and practice directions that underpin professional judgement.

Summary

To assess and manage the risk (including risk management plans and escalation) posed by offenders to protect  victims of crime and the general public by: 

• Liaising, providing information and advice to criminal courts, criminal justice agencies and other partner agencies 
• Supervise and manage risk of those offenders subject to community sentences, during and after custodial sentences. 
• Work with other agencies and groups to prevent crime and meet the needs of victims and offenders. 

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 (i.e. Courts, Approved Premises, programmes, evening reporting etc)

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

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

• To undertake the full range of offender management tasks with offenders assessed as low or medium risk of harm and to support the Probation Officer grade in high risk cases.
• When providing case manager support, to contribute to the delivery of the Risk Management plan and report significant changes relating to risk of harm and/or of reoffending or any non-compliance within agreed enforcement procedures
• To use computer based systems to produce, update and maintain records and other documentation within agreed timescales
• Ensure effective referrals to services and facilities and communicate with offender management staff, interventions staff, service providers and external agencies to review progress and associated risks.
• To undertake prison, home or alternate location visits as required in accordance with service procedures and policies.
• To undertake work in the court setting, including the completion of appropriate reports on cases and prosecution of breaches.
• To provide cover within teams as required
• To deliver and co-lead accredited programmes commensurate with grade
• To conduct mandatory alcohol and drug tests as required, and to follow prescribed medication procedures
• Carry out safeguarding children duties in accordance with the NPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies
• 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 NOMS 

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.

Behaviours

• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

Essential Experience

• Experience of working with a diverse range of people  who  have  experienced a range of social/personal difficulties and the need to use tact and discretion when dealing with confidential and sensitive issues
• Experience in planning and coordinating work
• Experience of working with groups or individuals in order to motivate and change behaviour
• An understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities and diversity good practice

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

• Minimum 5 GCSE’s at Grade C or above, including English, Maths or the ability to evidence high level numeracy and literacy skills required to read, understand and interpret policies and the ability to write reports and correspondence for internal and external stakeholders
• Understanding of factors related to offending e.g. substance misuse, accommodation issues and being able to emphasise constructively with a range of people
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles of case management.
• Knowledge and understanding of risk management/risk assessment as pertaining to offenders and the impact on victims of crime
• Understanding of Health & Safety legislation in the workplace
• Knowledge and understanding of the work of the Criminal Justice System and Probation Service
• Knowledge of the aims and objectives of the Probation Service

Ability

• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with offenders, professionals, courts and other public fora.

Salary

£23,637 - £29,046

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 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.