23191 - Senior Probation Officer

Ministry of Justice; Newton Aycliffe; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Justice's National Probation Service is seeking a Senior Probation Officer to lead and manage a Local Delivery Unit. The post holder will supervise staff, ensure high-quality delivery, and support cross-team work while upholding equality and safeguarding commitments.

You will also drive performance analytics, financial stewardship, and engagement with partners to realise strategic aims. In this management role, you will lead staff, deploy resources efficiently, and contribute to

Qualifications

• Substantial experience with good practice in probation or criminal justice settings.
• Proven leadership and people management skills across teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective management and leadership to the team.
• Be accountable for quality delivery of good practice and team performance.
• Ensure resources, including interventions, are deployed cost effectively.
• Meet requirements of NPS contract with HMPPS and local plans.
• Access, interpret, analyse and apply performance data to maximise team performance.
• Manage staff development, underperformance, attendance, health & safety and diversity.
• Ensure offender managers manage risk and meet public protection standards.
• Contribute to public protection through multi-agency arrangements and case reviews.
• Promote innovation and continuous improvement in service delivery.
• Manage financial resources within policy and authorise expenditure.
• Represent NPS to partners and stakeholders and facilitate communication.
• Participate in corporate management as part of LDU/Operational Unit Team.
• Carry out safeguarding duties and work in line with NPS/HMPPS values.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Job description

Job description

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

• 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

• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership

Essential Experience

• 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