Community Payback placement coordinator

Ministry of Justice; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental organization is seeking a Community Payback Coordinator to manage relationships with partners and ensure quality placements for community service. The role involves compliance with Health and Safety standards, conducting reviews, and promoting positive engagement in community networks. Candidates must have a Full UK Driving Licence and relevant experience in stakeholder management. Additionally, weekend work may be required for site visits.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Extensive training opportunities

Higher pay for weekend work

Qualifications

• Proven experience in community engagement and stakeholder management.
• Ability to conduct workplace reviews to meet quality standards.
• Minimum 60% office presence required during the week.

Responsibilities

• Find and assess suitable Community Payback placements.
• Develop safe working practices and project files.
• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety legislation.

Skills

Team collaboration

Stakeholder engagement

Health and Safety knowledge

Education

Full UK Manual Driving Licence

IOSH Level 3 or Managing Safely qualification

Qualified assessor for NVQ awards

Job description

Overview

This is a high‑profile role within the Probation Service that is responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with a range of partner organisations, customers and stakeholders. The post holder will ensure that sufficient Community Payback placements meet the quality standards set out in the Community Payback Guidance Manual so that the sentence of the Court can be carried out effectively.

Location & Working Pattern

Base at either Kendal or Lancaster with regular travel across both offices and throughout the Cumbria region. Minimum of 60% of the working week must be spent in the office, though this may vary according to operational requirements. Weekend duty cover is required on a rota basis, with additional toil/flexi and enhanced weekend pay.

Key Responsibilities

• Find and assess a wide range of suitable Community Payback placements, including those providing opportunities for service‑user training, future employment and placements appropriate for people with protective characteristics.
• Assess the viability of income‑generation opportunities within new placements, discuss with beneficiaries and manage the process to maximise potential.
• Develop a schedule of safe working practice for each project and create a project file in accordance with Health and Safety standards.
• Promote positive relationships with beneficiaries and stakeholders through meetings, site visits and proactive engagement to foster a positive perception of the Probation Service within community networks.
• Ensure that a safe working environment for staff, service users and beneficiaries is maintained on all Community Payback work sites, complying with Health and Safety legislation and PS policy.
• Maintain compliance of placements with quality requirements, taking action to improve or discontinue placements when standards cannot be met.
• Coordinate tools, equipment, appropriate clothing and PPE, ensuring all equipment complies with Health and Safety requirements and users know how to use it safely.
• Provide relevant Health and Safety training to staff in response to ad‑hoc needs and as required by the service delivery plan.
• Investigate Health and Safety incidents, ensuring serious incidents and near‑misses are reported and lessons learned are shared within the team.
• Support the use of electronic and social media to receive nominations for new placements and promote Community Payback within PS guidelines.
• Liaise with probation practitioners as necessary to exchange information and maintain appropriate working arrangements.
• Participate in rota planning, delivering and reviewing the service‑user induction.
• Recruit, support and coordinate mentors who encourage service‑user compliance, engagement and access to local support networks.
• Cover the CP supervisor role when required to avoid cancellation of work placements for operational reasons.
• Contribute to training of CP supervisors and beneficiaries where appropriate; establish and maintain working relationships with a range of stakeholders—including local authorities and charities—to ensure sufficient numbers of Community Payback work placements.
• Explore opportunities for people to access on‑the‑job training and education to develop their skills and increase employment prospects while completing unpaid work hours.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Full UK Manual Driving Licence (automatic licence not accepted).
• Experience as part of a team, sharing good practice, knowledge of community networks and ability to promote a strong team ethos.
• Evidence of maintaining positive working relationships with a range of stakeholders, representing the organisation at meetings and forums.
• Experience of conducting workplace reviews to ensure compliance with quality standards and Health and Safety (IOSH Level 3 or Managing Safely qualification preferred).
• Ability to drive a Minibus D1 and trailer.
• Qualified as an assessor for NVQ awards for service users (e.g. OCN, Communicating and Influencing).
• Minimum of 60% of the working week in the office; weekend work on a rota basis is required.

Working Hours & Weekend Work

The role requires weekend working as part of the normal pattern of work to cover CP supervisors or to visit project sites such as schools that are not accessible on weekdays. Weekend days worked will attract a higher rate of pay.

Salary & Benefits

Starting salary is £26,475, subject to annual progression through a Competency Based Framework. Benefits include: 25 days annual leave (increasing to 30 after five years); pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme; extensive training and development opportunities; access to flexible benefits, including voluntary benefits and retail vouchers; free annual sight tests for screen‑users; and paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave.

Legal & Equality Statement

All applicants are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up the post. We are an equal‑opportunity employer and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, celebrating diversity and providing reasonable adjustments where required.