Casework Manager - Prisoner Casework (PPCS)

Ministry of Justice; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

The Ministry of Justice’s Prisoner Casework team handles high‑quality replies to ministerial and official correspondence, reviews prisoner appeals, and supports Ombudsman investigations. The role also responds to prisoner information requests under the Data Protection Act and manages thousands of cases annually.

The team operates with hybrid working where possible, partnering across MoJ sites and home working, and focuses on robust, compliant casework in the public protection domain.

Qualifications

• Personal statement of up to 250 words outlining suitability for the role.
• Sift may be based on lead behaviour: Communicating and Influencing.
• Interviews and written exercises consider DBS/security requirements.

Responsibilities

• Draft high‑quality replies to ministerial, CEO and Treat Official correspondence.
• Review appeals to governor adjudications from prisoners and related penalties.
• Respond to prisoner information requests from other government departments.
• Support investigations by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman and related inquiries.

Skills

Communicating and Influencing

Working Together

Managing a Quality Service

Experience

Job description

The Prisoner Casework team sits within the Public Protection Casework Section (PPCS) within His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). PPCS is responsible for the management of the parole process and the recall of offenders to custody. The remit of Prisoner Casework involves drafting high-quality replies to a broad range of correspondence (Ministerial, CEO and Treat Official) regarding prisoner‑specific issues. The team also reviews appeals to governor adjudications from prisoners and the penalties awarded. In addition, Prisoner Casework facilitates investigations by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman in relation to escalated complaints from prisoners. The team may also respond to requests for prisoner information from other governmental departments under the Data Protection Act. The team handles over 4000 cases each year.

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. 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 with the HMPPS’ Flexible Working policy. If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate’s Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.

A sift based on the lead behaviour, Communicating and Influencing, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.

Behaviours: Communicating and Influencing, Working Together, Managing a Quality Service, Experience. The application process includes a personal statement of no more than 250 words outlining suitability for the role, including relevant skills, knowledge, experience, and achievements that demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the position. Interview stage assessments are scheduled for 09/11/2026. The written exercise requires a review of security check requirements – DBS Standard. The assessment will also consider the Level of security checks required.

• Annual Leave: The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non‑standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro‑rated basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case.
• Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays: You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays.
• Pension: The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
• Work Life Balance: HMPPS is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements and provides greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wherever managers and establishments can accommodate requests.
• Season Ticket Advance: After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer‑period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work.
• Childcare Vouchers: For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers.
• Training: HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti‑Bullying Programmes. There are opportunities to access promotion programmes and HMPPS provides a variety of training appropriate to individual posts. All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles.

• Eligibility: All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.
• All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS.
• All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which the HMPPS considers to be racist.

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 is 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.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans: 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 that recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.

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".

• To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm) or email [e-mail])
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team ([e-mail])
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)