Learning, Skills and Employment (Ref: 11937)

HM Prison and Probation Service; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A government service agency in the UK seeks a Band 6 Activities Unit Manager to oversee learning and skills programs for offenders. The role includes managing staff, ensuring compliance with national policies, and enhancing employability and education for prisoners. A relevant qualification and leadership experience are required. The position offers a salary of £39,803 and contributions to a Civil Service pension.

Benefits

Access to learning and development

Flexible working options

Civil Service pension with employer contribution

Annual Leave

Public Holidays

Qualifications

• Relevant qualifications or studying towards them in the area of work.
• Specialist knowledge/experience in the relevant industry.
• Up to date knowledge of working practices in the area.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safe and respectful environment for prisoners and staff.
• Manage learning programs for offenders.
• Coordinate quality assurance frameworks.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Decision making

Education

Relevant training qualifications

NVQ assessor qualification

Job description

The job holder will be responsible for a range of activities within the Learning, Skills and Employment function. Staffing numbers will vary depending on the size of the establishment and the nature of work undertaken. The job holder will be implementing national policies to suit local needs within the function and will contribute to revisions of local policies and procedures.

The job holder will ensure that the establishment regime meets the needs of offenders and contributes to reducing the risk of re‑offending. The function provides a strategic focus on the learning, skills and qualifications in all areas of activities, with an emphasis on employability, education and training on release. The job supports both Offenders' Learning and Skills Service (OLASS) and non‑OLASS learning.

This is a non‑operational job with line management responsibilities.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

• Responsible for ensuring all staff within Learning Skills and Employment provide a respectful, safe decent environment for all prisoners and staff.
• Responsible for managing Offenders Learning and Skills Service (OLASS) and non‑OLASS, including industries, gymnasium.
• Responsible for assisting in the planning and implementing of quality assurance frameworks within the establishment.
• Co‑ordinate Self‑Assessment Reports (SARs) for the establishment.
• Responsible for managing, promoting, developing and co‑ordinating all learning and skills activity (including education, vocational training, physical education, library provision) to provide a comprehensive and coherent learning and skills programme for all prisoners.
• Assist in the planning and co‑ordination of Offenders Learning and Skills Service (OLASS) and all other types of learning to form a learner journey from reception to release.
• Responsible for administration of distance learning, further education and Open University and monitoring the quality assurance of prisoners managing their own Individual Learning Plan (ILP).
• Work with other resettlement services, the risk management unit and other functions to encourage offenders to continue their learning on release – ensuring that appropriate Offenders Pathways are arranged/notified prior to release.
• Responsible for monitoring the Service Level Agreements (SLA) for education, library services and training providers operating within the establishment to ensure that quality standards are achieved.
• Responsible for the delivery of industry vocational training, ensuring the screening assessment and referral processes that determine suitability of prisoners to access learning material and tutor to deliver required skills to achieve target qualification.
• Responsible for ensuring that the Service commissioned is agreed with SFA, Education provider and Advice and Guidance Agency.
• Responsible for chairing quarterly Quality Improvement Group/OLASS Partnership Meetings and attending meetings as required.
• Maintain good working relationship with groups that provide funding including the Learning and Skills Council and Youth Justice Board (if in Young Offender Institution or Juvenile estate).
• Responsible for the accuracy of figures generated i.e. hours delivered, to enable the release of funding.
• Responsible for the preparation of material for internal and OFSTED audits and act as OFSTED nominee for the establishment.
• Contribute to prisoner reports including Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) reports and parole reports.

Undertake other management tasks including:

• Manage devolved budgets in accordance with the financial procedures outlined in the budget delegation.
• Responsible for the management of all staff within their area, including staff performance, development and annual appraisal through to sickness absence management.
• Ensure all HMPPS standards and Service Delivery Indicators (SDIs) are implemented and managed within the relevant work area.
• Ensure all national and local policies and procedures are implemented and compliant (e.g. National Security Framework, Local Security Strategy, Finance Manual).
• Attend relevant boards/meetings and actively contribute, either as chair or team member.
• Provide leadership and direction to managers and staff within their defined work area through briefings, building informal and formal relationships and effective communication.
• Produce relevant reports as required and ensure all correspondence is replied to within agreed timescales.
• Liaise and form good relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage resources to deliver the activities within the defined work area and contribute to the mid‑to‑long term business planning process.
• Ensure the defined work area and associated activities comply with Health and Safety legislation and that all risk assessments are undertaken and staff are made aware of their personal responsibility for Health and Safety compliance.

Behaviours

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

Technical Requirements

The job holder will have relevant qualifications in the area of work, or be working/studying towards them, including recognised training qualifications or be an NVQ assessor and have specialist knowledge/experience in relevant industry. The candidate will need to keep up to date with knowledge/working practices in the areas of expertise.

Internal Applicants

All newly promoted staff to the following Band 6 first‑line manager roles (Activities Unit Manager, Facilities and Services Unit Manager, Facilities and Services Business Manager, Programme Manager, Specialist Treatment Manager or Equality Advisor) in Establishments will be expected to complete the New Manager Programme on Civil Service Learning within three years of promotion. Staff that have mapped or re‑graded to Band 6 who have previously worked at an equivalent level will not be required to undertake the qualification.

External Applicants

All external staff joining as a Band 6 Activities Unit Manager, Facilities and Services Unit Manager, Facilities and Services Business Manager, Programme Manager, Specialist Treatment Manager or Equality Advisor in an Establishment will be expected to complete the New Manager Programme on Civil Service Learning within three years.

Hours of Work (Unsocial Hours) Allowances

37 hour working week. We will assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your behaviours and strengths.

https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Salary and Pension

Alongside your salary of £39,803, HM Prison & Probation Service contributes £11,530 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 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

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ