Deputy Head of Bedfordshire Probation Delivery Unit - East of England (Ref: 10503)

HM Prison and Probation Service; Bedford; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency is seeking a Senior Operational Support Manager to provide strategic support and management within the National Probation Service. The role includes managing staff, monitoring performance, and representing the agency with external stakeholders. Candidates must have significant middle management experience and a relevant qualification in probation or community justice. A competitive benefits package is offered including a Civil Service pension and flexible working options.

Benefits

Access to learning and development

Flexible working options

Civil Service pension

Annual Leave

Public Holidays

Qualifications

• Significant experience at middle manager level, including the management of staff.
• Experience of monitoring performance against predetermined targets and effecting necessary improvements.
• Experience in budgetary control including procurement.

Responsibilities

• Lead on caseload segmentation issues such as Child Sexual Exploitation, Guns and Gangs.
• Manage professional development and train cluster staff.
• Ensure effective cluster employee recruitment and induction.

Skills

Management of staff

Performance monitoring

Budgetary control

Relationship management

High-level report preparation

Education

Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma

Honours Degree in Community Justice

Diploma in Probation Studies

Diploma in Social Work with Probation Option

Job description

Working at the direction of the Head of Operational Function, the post holder will be deployed to a variety of roles to provide strategic support. To support the Head of LDU Cluster, providing management and leadership within the National Probation Service (NPS) Local Delivery Unit (LDU). To represent the Head of LDU Cluster with external agencies/stakeholders and staff as appropriate.

The post holder must adhere to all policies regarding the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position. May be required to participate in out of hours on call rota.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

Senior Operational Support Manager may be required to undertake any combination, or all, of the duties and responsibilities as directed by the Head of Operational Function, including:

• Cluster operational lead on caseload segmentation issues such as Child Sexual Exploitation, Guns and Gangs, Integrated Offender Management, etc.
• Operational support to the Head of Cluster within relevant Probation Instruction criteria and rules, such as Recall, High Risk of Serious Harm Case Transfers, etc.
• Providing support to the Head of Cluster within the relevant Probation Instruction criteria and rules, such as grievance, discipline, capability, complaints, etc.
• Responsible for the professional development of cluster staff.
• Responsible for developing and deploying the Cluster Training Needs Analysis.
• Ensure effective cluster employee recruitment and induction.
• Act as cluster lead for performance & quality.
• Act as cluster lead for audits and inspections.
• Operational support to the Head of Cluster in completing reviews and delivery of action plans, such as Domestic Homicides, Serious Further Reviews, Serious Case Reviews, etc.
• Responsible for the management of the Business Manager and the administrative support functions within the cluster.
• Under the guidance of the Head of LDU Cluster, represent the NPS in local strategic partnerships and ensure appropriate representation within wider partnership frameworks in line with statutory responsibilities and operational policy.
• Participate in the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) locally in conjunction with other responsible authorities, including the chairing of MAPPA level 3 meetings.
• In the absence of the Head of LDU Cluster, make decisions and provide advice on the management of offenders where senior management authorization or involvement is necessary, e.g., authorizing the recall of offenders to prison.
• Operational support to the Head of cluster in the management of complaints within the cluster and direct involvement in complaint resolution where necessary.
• Under the guidance of the Head of LDU Cluster, take the lead on specific divisional or cluster projects/portfolios, including Equality and Diversity, Reward and Recognition, etc.
• Operational support to the Head of cluster in cluster compliance with Health and Safety legislation.
• Senior Management responsibility for estates, buildings, and maintenance activities within the cluster.
• Demonstrate pro-social modeling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behavior and attitudes and challenging anti-social behavior and attitudes.
• Carry out safeguarding children and safeguarding adult duties in accordance with the NPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies.
• Work within the aims and values of NPS and HMPPS.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience at middle manager level, including the management of staff.
• Experience of monitoring performance in area of responsibility against predetermined targets, setting local targets, and effecting necessary improvements.
• Experience of budgetary control, including procurement.
• Experience of managing relationships, including working with key local agencies and stakeholders.
• Evidence of preparing high-level written reports to a good standard.

Technical Requirements

A qualification in one of the following areas: Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice. Or, a qualification which was recognized 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).

Benefits

• Access to learning and development.
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work-life balance.
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• Annual Leave.
• Public Holidays.
• Season Ticket Advance.