7119 - SFO Complaints Reviewer - Performance & Quality (South Central) (Full Time)

Ministry of Justice; Slough; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading government agency seeks a Senior Probation Officer to manage and lead staff within the National Probation Service. The role involves overseeing team performance, ensuring compliance with standards, and fostering innovation in service delivery. Ideal candidates will have substantial experience in probation or a related field, with strong skills in risk management and team leadership.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Comprehensive training and development

Annual leave of 25 days

Local Government Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Substantial experience as a Probation Officer or in a related criminal justice context.
• Experience in risk management and multi-agency collaboration.
• Strong background in team management and performance evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the team to meet performance standards.
• Ensure quality delivery of services in line with policy.
• Foster relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Risk Management

Diversity and Inclusion

Education

Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma

Honours Degree in Community Justice

Tools

Risk Assessment Tools

Job description

Aylesbury, Basingstoke, Bicester, Bracknell, Fareham, High Wycombe, Newport (Isle of Wight), Oxford, Portsmouth, Reading, Slough, Southampton

Region

South Central

Closing Date

07-Jul-2025

Business Unit

NPS South Central Performance and Quality (2021)

Post Type

Permanent

Other

Number of jobs available

1

Reserve List

12 Months

Job ID

7119

Descriptions & requirements

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

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

•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

•Communicating and Influencing

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 or related work context

•Understanding of the role of the Probation Service in the Criminal Justice System and in a multi-disciplinary setting.

•Knowledge and understanding of the factors which influence engagement with victims

•Experience of risk management and assessment, understanding of multi- agency risk assessment and management procedures

•Evidence of ability to evaluate practice

•Evidence of ability to provide a practice perspective on policy development

•Experience of working under pressure and fulfilling demanding deadlines

•Experience of working flexibly as a member of a team to achieve performance targets

•Experience of contributing to the provision of effective administration and information systems

•Demonstrable achievements in managing/supporting change and effecting improvements in quality and efficiency

•Able to demonstrate well developed IT skills, including evidence of ability to interpret and apply performance reports

•Experience of proactively championing diversity and inclusiveness both internally and externally

•Ability to implement the services health and safety policies

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

•Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/ Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice.

•Or a qualification which was recognised at the time of qualification by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007.The following qualifications gained in England and Wales were previously recognised as providing such eligibility:

•Diploma in Probation Studies,

•Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)

•CQSW (with Probation Option)

Additional Information

****The South Central Investigations and Review team has a full time equivalent Band 5 Serious Further Offence/Complaints Reviewer vacancy. This is an exciting opportunity to join the South Central team, covering Thames Valley and Hampshire & Isle of Wight. This is a role within the Performance & Quality team, working to the Senior Probation Officer job description.

The primary task is to investigate and report on the management of people on probation who are charged with Serious Further Offences (SFOs). The post-holder may also be asked to complete Stage 2 Complaints and staff disciplinary investigations. The successful applicant may also need to prepare Individual Management Reviews for Multi-agency Safeguarding Reviews, Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangement (MAPPA) Serious Case Reviews, and Domestic Homicide Reviews as necessary.

The candidate will need:

- a probation qualification and relevant operational experience

- a thorough understanding of the breadth of probation work

- the ability to work with and constructively feed back to/challenge all grades of staff, including Senior Leaders

- thorough knowledge of probation practice standards, particularly assessing and managing risk

- thorough knowledge of probation processes and assessment tools

- the ability to undertake enquiry work in a supportive way, with a broad range of staff

- good analytical and written skills

- the ability to form clear judgements on the quality of work

- the ability to read and analyse a significant volume of case material to produce reports to deadlines

- flexibility and willingness to pick up varied tasks that support the Performance and Quality agenda within the region, which could include workshop delivery, presentation of learning at regional meetings, and other tasks as required. ****

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 aMoJoffice 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 full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance withthe HMPPS’ Flexible Working policy.

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

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.

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 www.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.

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 the Civil Service Commission (details available here )

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 TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos .

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

NPS-JES-0033-Senior-Probation-Officer-v4.0 (1).pdf(Job Description Attachment)

250

Making Effective Decisions

Managing a Quality Service

Seeing the Big Picture

Technical

Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit

250

Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/ Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice. Or a qualification which was recognised at the time of qualification by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007.The following qualifications gained in England and Wales were previously recognised as providing such eligibility: - Diploma in Probation Studies, - Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option) - CQSW (with Probation Option)

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates

Expected mid to late July

Behaviours

Communicating and Influencing

Delivering at Pace

Developing Self and Others

Leadership

Strengths

Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here .

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.