19858 - Qualified Probation Officer

The Methodist Church in Britain; West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 25 days rising to 30

Local Government Pension Scheme

Hybrid working

Training & development opportunities

Flexible benefits

Job summary

The National Probation Service is recruiting for three permanent Probation Officer posts in the Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford unit.

You will assess and manage risk, supervise offenders on orders and licences, and prepare reports for courts and the Parole Board, with accredited programmes and multi-agency work.

Hybrid working is available; the role emphasises safeguarding, professional standards and ongoing training and development across the UK.

Qualifications

• Probation Officer qualification or qualified Probation Officer status.
• PQF Honours Degree or Graduate Diploma with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice, or an equivalent listed Probation qualification.
• Experience working with diverse communities and promoting equality.
• Knowledge of evidence-based practice and risk/needs assessment tools.

Responsibilities

• Assess and manage the risk offenders pose, including those at high/very high risk of serious harm.
• Supervise offenders on community orders, licences and custodial sentences.
• Provide professional reports to courts, the Parole Board and partner agencies.
• Deliver and co-lead accredited programmes at the post's grade.
• Make timely referrals across offender management and partner agencies.
• Attend MAPPA and MARAC forums and represent the NPS.
• Respond to risk escalation requests and set the risk level.
• Guide and support Probation Services Officers and other staff.
• Carry out visits as required and conduct required tests.
• Carry out safeguarding duties for children and keep records on computer systems.

Skills

Equality awareness

Criminal justice knowledge

National Standards knowledge

Evidence-based practice

Risk and needs assessment tools

Spoken English (or Welsh)

Education

PQF Honours Degree or Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice

Job description

A permanent Probation Officer role in the National Probation Service's Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford unit, with three posts available. The work centres on assessing and managing the risk offenders pose, supervising people on community orders, licences and custodial sentences, and writing reports for courts and the Parole Board. The caseload includes offenders at high and very high risk of serious harm, with accredited programme delivery and multi-agency work such as MAPPA and MARAC. Applicants need a Probation Officer qualification and a standard DBS check.

What the job involves

• Assess and manage the risk offenders pose, including those at high and very high risk of serious harm
• Supervise offenders on community orders, licences and during custodial sentences
• Provide professional advice and written reports to courts, the Parole Board and partner agencies
• Deliver and co-lead accredited programmes at the post's grade
• Make timely referrals across offender management, court teams, victim contact units, Approved Premises and prisons
• Attend professional meetings and represent the NPS at forums such as MAPPA and MARAC
• Respond to risk escalation requests from Community Rehabilitation Companies and set the risk level
• Guide and support Probation Services Officers and other staff
• Carry out prison, home or other visits as required
• Conduct mandatory alcohol and drug tests and follow prescribed medication procedures
• Carry out safeguarding duties for children
• Keep accurate records on computer systems within agreed timescales

What’s required

Qualifications

• Probation Officer qualification, or qualified Probation Officer status
• PQF Honours Degree or Graduate Diploma with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice, or an equivalent listed Probation qualification

Experience

• Working with people who have experienced social or personal difficulties
• Working with diverse communities and promoting equality
• Working with individuals and groups to motivate and change offending behaviour
• Working with people who have committed offences

Skills & knowledge

• Understanding and appreciation of equality
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system and the Probation Service
• Working knowledge of relevant legislation and National Standards
• Knowledge of evidence-based practice and risk and needs assessment tools
• Confident spoken English, or Welsh where specified

Checks & eligibility

• Standard DBS check
• Eligible under Civil Service nationality rules, and security and identity checks before starting

What’s offered

• Annual leave of 25 days rising to 30 after five years, plus public holidays
• Local Government Pension Scheme via the Greater Manchester Pension Fund
• Extensive training and development opportunities
• Hybrid working where business need allows, UK only
• Family-friendly policies including reduced hours and job share
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave
• Flexible benefits, voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee-run networks