NSD Specialist Probation Practitioner

Ministry of Justice; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department is seeking an NSD Specialist Probation Practitioner to manage high-risk individuals on probation, including those related to terrorism and serious organized crime. Responsibilities include specialist case management, collaboration with various agencies, and providing professional advice and reports. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in risk management and assessment, as well as a relevant academic background in probation practice. This role demands strong communication skills and the ability to work under pressure.

Qualifications

• Experience working with individuals who pose a high risk to others.
• Ability to achieve Level 7 Advanced Certificate in Counter Terrorism.
• Substantial experience in offender risk assessment and management.

Responsibilities

• Manage cases involving TACT and serious risk offenders.
• Provide professional reports to courts and agencies.
• Develop and maintain relationships with external agencies for effective management.

Skills

Risk management

Case management

Communication

Multi-agency collaboration

Pro-social modeling

Education

Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/Honours Degree

Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice

Job description

The NSD Specialist Probation Practitioner is required to manage people on probation (PoP) who are Terrorism ACT convicted, Terrorism ACT risk, Critical Public Protection Cases or Serious Organised Crime and pose serious and widespread risk. Management of this cohort is subject to enhanced national standards and intensive co‑working with external agencies. The NSD Specialist Probation Practitioner is required to provide specialist additional monitoring and contact to those assessed as posing a specific risk of further extreme offending which would cause serious and widespread harm. The case load managed by the NSD Specialist Probation Practitioner poses a national security threat and high media profile.

Responsibilities

• Release planning for TACT, TACT connected/risk, complex cases, critical public protection and Serious Organised Crime cases using enhanced national standards.
• Specialist case management including completion of OASys, response plans, trigger plans, EMS protocols, sentence planning and parole preparation and attendance as well as MAPPA referrals and attendance.
• Appropriate and effective sharing of information and risk and specific briefings, including briefing approved premises staff, DDP mentors, Police, Prison and CTSPP staff to ensure all professionals are aware of risk levels and relevant information. Ensuring sensitive information is shared, handled and stored appropriately.
• Building and maintaining multi‑agency working relationships with external agencies and partners, crucial to appropriate and effective management of this cohort. Agencies will include but are not limited to DDP mentors, CTP, AP staff, children’s services, Local Policing. Job holders are required to have an awareness of these agencies’ cultures and processes and be adept at working with people on probation who have a history of splitting professionals.
• Specialist support, advice and guidance to staff on all aspects of TACT/TACT connected and Terrorist risk offender management within APs and staff working in other settings and agencies e.g. mental health, children’s services.
• Provide professional advice and assessment, including written reports to courts, the Parole Board, other criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.
• Undertake prison, home or other alternate location visits as required. This involves travel by car or public transport across the whole allocated division. There will also be the need to cover other divisions during significant events or staffing issues.
• Carry out safeguarding children and vulnerable person duties in accordance with the PS statutory responsibilities and agency policies.
• Demonstrate pro‑social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing prosocial behaviour and attitudes, and challenging anti‑social behaviour and attitudes where people on probation may hold and share significant exclusionary and discriminatory views and can potentially pose an increased risk to the PP.

Qualifications and Experience

• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Bigger Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Ability to achieve a Level 7 Advanced Certificate in Counter Terrorism. This can be completed in post and will be supported by the National Security Division.
• Experience of working with a wide variety of people who have experienced a range of social/personal difficulties, both individuals and groups, in order to motivate and change offending behaviour.
• Substantial direct experience of working with people who have committed offences and are viewed to pose a high or very high risk of serious harm to others.
• Substantial experience with a proven record of good practice in a variety of settings (including offender risk assessment and management) as a Probation Officer.
• Understanding of the role of the Probation Service in the Criminal Justice System and in a multi‑disciplinary setting.
• Experience of risk management and assessment, understanding of multi‑agency risk assessment and management procedures.
• Experience of creating and submitting high‑level risk management and parole reports.
• Experience of proactively championing diversity and inclusiveness both internally and externally.
• Demonstrable achievements in managing/supporting change and effecting improvements in quality and efficiency.
• Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice.
• Or a qualification recognised at the time of qualification by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007. The following qualifications gained in England and Wales were previously recognised as providing such eligibility:
  • Diploma in Probation Studies
  • Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)
  • CQSW (with Probation Option)
• Knowledge and understanding of the work of the Criminal Justice System and the Probation Service.
• A working knowledge of relevant legislation and National Standards.
• Knowledge of Evidence Based Practice and risk/needs assessment tools.
• Security clearance required: SC level.