Approved Premises Manager (SPO)

Ministry of Justice; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in Ipswich is seeking a dedicated leader to manage an Approved Premises. This role involves supervising staff, risk management, and ensuring public protection standards. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in offender management and hold relevant qualifications. Flexible working arrangements are available where business needs allow.

Benefits

Annual leave

Pension

Training

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in settings including offender risk assessment and management.
• Experience of risk management and ability to implement health and safety policies.
• Ability to champion diversity and inclusiveness.

Responsibilities

• Manage an Approved Premises and supervise staff.
• Ensure staff meet NPS contract requirements.
• Improve function through performance data analysis.

Skills

Experience in offender risk assessment

Team working

Risk management

Change management

Evaluating practice

Education

Graduate Diploma in Community Justice

Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice

Tools

IT skills for performance reports

Job description

Overview

The job holder will manage an Approved Premises (AP), supervise AP staff on the designated site, and oversee risk management for resident offenders. The role ensures the AP operates efficiently and safely, aligns with NPS strategy for AP use, and supports other teams during periods of absence. The post requires commitment to equality, confidentiality, and participation in an out-of-hours standby rota. Hybrid working arrangements may be considered where business needs allow.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

1. Provide effective leadership and management to the AP team; ensure quality delivery of good practice and performance improvement within policy and national standards.
2. Deploy staff and resources efficiently and effectively; ensure staff meet the requirements of the NPS contract with HMPPS, CRC, and local business plans as required.
3. Access, interpret, analyse and apply performance data to improve function and deliver organisational aims; evaluate practice.
4. Proactively manage staff development, address underperformance, attendance, health and safety, employee relations and diversity matters; use a consistent, fair, and objective approach to decisions regarding individual staff issues.
5. Ensure AP staff manage risk appropriately and meet public protection standards and targets; contribute to public protection through multi-agency arrangements and casework discussion and feedback.
6. Manage wellbeing, self-harm and social care needs of residents; carry out First Aid as necessary in cases of injury or self-harm.
7. Promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in service delivery.
8. Manage financial resources as delegated by the AP Area Manager.
9. Provide leadership in work with partners and stakeholders; represent the NPS as appropriate to the role; facilitate effective communication within the AP management team and with internal and external partners; respond to community concerns around the AP.
10. Undertake stand-by duties and participate in out-of-hours rota; ensure effective functioning of staffing, facilities and estates contracts as delegated by the AP Area Manager.
11. Be a member of the AP Management Team and contribute to corporate management of the NPS as necessary.
12. Carry out safeguarding responsibilities for children and adults in accordance with NPS statutory duties and agency policies.
13. Undertake any other duties as delegated by the Area Manager that are commensurate with the grading of the post; participate in MoJ hybrid working arrangements if applicable.

Working Arrangements

For nationally advertised roles, appointment may be at a MoJ office location (including Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office). Details will be discussed and agreed upon completion of pre-employment checks. Standard full-time hours are 37 per week, excluding unpaid breaks. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing patterns where they meet role requirements; such patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS Flexible Working policy.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential Experience

• Substantial experience with a proven record of good practice in settings including offender risk assessment and management (e.g., Probation Officer or related criminal justice context).
• Experience of risk management and assessment; ability to implement health and safety policies.
• Experience working flexibly as part of a team to achieve performance targets and contribute to administration and information systems.
• Demonstrable achievements in managing/supporting change and improving quality and efficiency; ability to champion diversity and inclusiveness.
• Evidence of evaluating practice and providing a practice perspective on policy development; ability to interpret and apply performance reports.

Technical / Qualifications

• Probation Qualification Framework: Graduate Diploma/Honours Degree in Community Justice with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice, or other recognised qualification at time of appointment (as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007). Prior recognised qualifications include Diploma in Probation Studies, Diploma in Social Work (Probation Option), or CQSW (Probation Option).
• IT skills with ability to interpret and apply performance reports.

Benefits & Additional Information

The MoJ offers a range of benefits including annual leave, pension, training, networks, and family-friendly policies. The Civil Service Code applies, with merit-based recruitment and provisions for adjustments for disabled candidates. For more information, please consult the MoJ/ gov.uk guidance cited in the original job posting. All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.