21629 - Probation Officer - HMP Highpoint

The Methodist Church in Britain; Cowlinge; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Pension scheme

Hybrid working

Training opportunities

Flexible benefits

Family policies

Employee networks

Job summary

The Methodist Church in Britain is hiring a Probation Officer within the National Probation Service's East of England Public Protection team, connected to HMP Highpoint. Two permanent vacancies exist to assess and manage risk, supervise on community orders and licences, and provide court reports.

Hybrid working is possible depending on business needs. Qualified Probation Officer status or PQF honours with Level 5 Diploma is required, along with enhanced DBS checks.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the Criminal Justice System and Probation Service.
• Experience of applying evidence-based practice in probation settings.
• Confident spoken English (or Welsh where specified).

Responsibilities

• Assess and manage risk posed by people on probation, including high/very high risk of serious harm.
• Supervise individuals on community orders, licences and custodial sentences.
• Provide reports to courts, the Parole Board and partner agencies.
• Build relationships with courts, victim contact units, interventions and prisons.
• Deliver accredited programmes as required and visit prisons or other locations.
• Maintain accurate records on computer systems and ensure timely reporting.
• Carry out safeguarding duties and duties under agency policies.

Education

PQF Honours Degree

Graduate Diploma with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice

Diploma in Probation Studies

Diploma in Social Work

CQSW (Probation option)

Job description

A Probation Officer post in the National Probation Service's East of England Public Protection team, linked to HMP Highpoint, with two permanent vacancies. The work centres on assessing and managing the risk people on probation pose, supervising them on community orders, licences and in custody, and writing reports for courts and the Parole Board. It covers those assessed at high and very high risk of serious harm, with accredited programme delivery and hybrid working where business needs allow. A recognised probation qualification and enhanced DBS check are required.

What the job involves

• Assess and manage the risk posed by people on probation, including those at high and very high risk of serious harm
• Supervise people on community orders, licences and custodial sentences, using pro-social modelling
• Provide professional advice, assessments and written reports to courts, the Parole Board and partner agencies
• Make timely referrals and build working relationships with court teams, victim contact units, interventions, Approved Premises, prisons and external agencies
• Work with other agencies to prevent crime and meet the needs of victims and people on probation
• Attend professional meetings and represent the service at partnership forums such as MAPPA and MARAC
• Deliver and co-lead accredited programmes commensurate with grade
• Carry out prison, home or other alternative location visits as required
• Maintain accurate records and documentation on computer systems within agreed timescales
• Conduct mandatory alcohol and drug tests and follow prescribed medication procedures
• Carry out safeguarding children duties under statutory responsibilities and agency policy
• Provide guidance and support to Probation Services Officers and other staff, and cover within own and other teams

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 Diploma in Probation Studies, or Diploma in Social Work or CQSW (Probation option)

Experience

• Working with a wide variety of people who have experienced social or personal difficulties
• Working with diverse communities, promoting equality and valuing diversity
• An understanding and appreciation of equality
• Working with individuals and groups to motivate and change offending behaviour
• Working with people who have committed offences

Skills & knowledge

• 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

• Enhanced DBS check
• Security and identity checks before taking up post
• Eligible under Civil Service nationality rules

What's offered

• 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising to 30 after five years, plus public holidays, pro rata for part-time
• Local Government Pension Scheme through Greater Manchester Pension Fund
• Prison allowance of £737 per year
• Hybrid working where business need allows, UK only
• Staff development and training opportunities
• Family friendly policies including reduced hours and job share, and paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave
• Flexible benefits, voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee-run networks