AP Manager

Ministry of Justice; Preston; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency is seeking an AP Manager to oversee an Approved Premises in Preston. The successful candidate will lead a team, ensuring safety and compliance with national standards while managing risks associated with resident offenders. Responsibilities include performance analysis and implementing policies. The role requires substantial experience in probation or related fields and offers a full-time contract with benefits such as 25 days of leave plus public holidays.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Substantial experience as a Probation Officer or related criminal justice context.
• Experience in risk management and assessment.
• Ability to implement health and safety policies.

Responsibilities

• Manage an Approved Premises and lead AP staff.
• Ensure compliance with NPS policies and manage resident risks.
• Evaluate team performance using data.

Skills

Leadership

Risk Management

Teamwork

Performance Analysis

Diversity Championing

Education

Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/Honours Degree

Diploma in Social Work

Job description

Job Overview

The job holder will be responsible for managing an Approved Premises (AP). They will manage the practice of AP staff within the designated site and ensure the effective management of risk posed by resident offenders. The post holder must adhere to all NPS policies and demonstrate a commitment to equality and inclusion. The AP Manager will also participate in an out-of-hours standby duty rota.

Location: Edith Rigby House PIPE Approved Premises. This role is AP based with no option for hybrid working. The facility is a Psychologically Informed Planned Environment (PIPE) and an Enabling Environment awarded by the RCPsych, working with individuals with personality disorders and a relational approach.

Responsibilities & 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 are deployed efficiently and effectively.
• 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 improve function/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 AP staff 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 ensure that AP staff manage self-harm, wellbeing and social care needs of residents, and carry out First Aid as necessary in the case of injury or self-harm.
• To promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement to service delivery.
• To manage financial resources as delegated by the AP Area Manager.
• 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 AP management team and internal and external partners.
• To respond positively to the concerns of neighbours and the community local to the AP.
• To undertake 'stand‑by' duties and participate in the 'out‑of‑hours' rota, responding to issues as appropriate.
• To ensure the effective functioning of contracts for staffing, facilities and estates as delegated by the AP Area Manager.
• As a member of the AP Management Team, to play an active part in the corporate management of the NPS as necessary.
• Carry out safeguarding children and safeguarding adult duties in accordance with the NPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies.
• To undertake specific areas of responsibility as delegated by the Area Manager and any other duties as appropriate commensurate with the grading of the post.
• Demonstrate pro‑social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro‑social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti‑social behaviour and attitudes.
• 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 are 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 the Job Evaluation scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the Job Holder.

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 a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office.

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 with the HMPPS' Flexible Working policy.

Behaviours

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

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.
• Experience of risk management and assessment.
• Ability to implement the services health and safety policies.
• 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.
• Experience of proactively championing diversity and inclusiveness both internally and externally.
• Evidence of ability to evaluate practice.
• Evidence of ability to provide a practice perspective on policy development.
• Interpret and apply performance reports.

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.
• Diploma in Probation Studies.
• Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option).
• CQSW (with Probation Option).

Specific Language Requirements

English Language written and verbal.

Benefits

• An annual leave of 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years' service, plus public holidays.
• Part‑time and job‑share posts leave calculated on a pro‑rated basis.
• LGPS pension through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF).
• Extensive range of training and development opportunities.
• Employee‑run networks for minority ethnic origin, disability, caring responsibilities, women, and LGBTQ+ employees.
• Family‑friendly policies such as reduced hours or job share, flexible benefits, voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts, childcare voucher alternatives and paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Eligibility

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition.