23402 - Senior Probation Officer - Leicester Courts

Ministry of Justice; England; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Training and development opportunities

Flexible benefits

Job summary

National Probation Service in the UK is seeking a Senior Probation Officer to lead the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland LDU. You will supervise staff, ensure offender managers conduct risk assessments, and uphold public protection standards while managing budgets.

The role involves out-of-hours work and hybrid working within the UK. A recognised probation qualification and substantial risk management experience are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Probation Qualification Framework graduate diploma or honours degree integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice.
• Diploma in Probation Studies, Diploma in Social Work with Probation Option or CQSW with Probation Option are recognised qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Provide management and leadership to the team, including cover for other teams during absences.
• Be accountable for the quality of practice and team performance within policy and national standards.
• Proactively manage staff development, underperformance, attendance, health and safety, employee relations and diversity matters.
• Ensure offender managers manage risk and meet public protection standards and targets.
• Contribute to public protection through multi-agency arrangements and casework review.
• Manage financial and team resources cost effectively, authorising expenditure within limits.
• Access, interpret and apply performance data to maximise team performance and evaluate practice.
• Ensure staff meet the NPS contract with HMPPS and local business plan requirements.
• Provide a leading role with partners and key stakeholders, representing the NPS.
• Facilitate communication between the management team and internal and external partners.
• Promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement and sit on the LDU management team.
• Demonstrate pro-social modelling and carry out safeguarding children duties.

Skills

Offender risk assessment

Multi-agency risk assessment

IT skills

Engagement of victims

Evaluating practice

Education

Probation Qualification Framework graduate diploma or honours degree (Community Justice) with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice

Diploma in Probation Studies

Diploma in Social Work with Probation Option

CQSW with Probation Option

Tools

IT systems

Job description

This Senior Probation Officer post is a permanent management role in the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland probation delivery unit of the National Probation Service. The job holder leads staff, makes sure offender managers handle risk and meet public protection standards, and manages budgets within the unit. The post reports to the Head of Operational Function, covers colleagues during absences, and may involve out-of-hours work and hybrid working within the UK. A recognised probation qualification and substantial risk management experience are essential.

What the job involves

• Provide management and leadership to the team, including cover for other teams during absences
• Be accountable for the quality of practice and team performance improvement within policy and national standards
• Proactively manage staff development, underperformance, attendance, health and safety, employee relations and diversity matters
• Ensure offender managers manage risk and meet public protection standards and targets
• Contribute to public protection through multi-agency arrangements and casework review
• Manage financial and team resources cost effectively, authorising expenditure within limits
• Access, interpret and apply performance data to maximise team performance and evaluate practice
• Ensure staff meet the NPS contract with HMPPS and local business plan requirements
• Provide a leading role with partners and key stakeholders, representing the NPS
• Facilitate communication between the management team and internal and external partners
• Promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement and sit on the LDU management team
• Demonstrate pro-social modelling and carry out safeguarding children duties

What’s required

Qualifications

• Probation Qualification Framework graduate diploma or honours degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice, or an equivalent qualification recognised under section 10 of the Offender…
• Previously recognised qualifications include Diploma in Probation Studies, Diploma in Social Work with Probation Option and CQSW with Probation Option

Experience

• Substantial experience with a proven record of good practice in offender risk assessment and management as a probation officer or in another criminal justice or related setting
• Experience of risk management and assessment, including multi-agency risk assessment and management procedures
• Experience of working under pressure and meeting demanding deadlines
• Experience of working flexibly in a team to achieve performance targets
• Demonstrable achievements in managing or supporting change and improving quality and efficiency
• Experience of championing diversity and inclusiveness internally and externally

Skills & knowledge

• Understanding of the Probation Service's role in the criminal justice system and in multi-disciplinary settings
• Knowledge of the factors that influence engagement with victims
• Evidence of evaluating practice and giving a practice perspective on policy development
• Well-developed IT skills, including interpreting and applying performance reports

Checks & eligibility

• DBS standard check

Other

• Ability to implement the service's health and safety policies
• Experience of contributing to effective administration and information systems
• Ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English, or in Welsh where specified

What’s offered

• 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising to 30 after five years, plus public holidays, pro-rata for part-time posts
• Local Government Pension Scheme run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund
• Training and development opportunities
• Employee-run networks for minority groups
• Family friendly policies, including reduced hours and job share
• Flexible benefits, including voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens