Operational Support Manager in Offender Personality Disorder Pathway

Ministry of Justice; Peterlee; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK seeks a Senior Operational Support Manager to provide strategic leadership within the National Probation Service. Responsibilities include supporting the Head of Cluster, managing staff, and participating in strategic partnerships. The role demands a strong background in probation practice and substantial management experience. It offers substantial benefits including annual leave and support for training and development.

Benefits

Annual Leave – Up to 30 days

Pension - Local Government Pension Scheme

Training – Extensive development opportunities

Family-Friendly Policies

Childcare Support

Health – Free annual sight tests

Qualifications

• Significant management experience with staff at a middle-manager level.
• Experience in performance monitoring and improvements.
• Knowledge of budget control and procurement management.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational matters related to child exploitation and gang issues.
• Support management in delivering actions for serious case reviews.
• Manage cluster staff recruitment and professional development.

Skills

Leadership

Decision Making

Collaboration

Performance Management

Communication

Education

Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice

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 in order 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 in respect of 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 as set out below.

Responsibilities

• 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 to make decisions and provide advice on the management of offenders where senior management authorisation or involvement is necessary e.g. authorising 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 to 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 modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour 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

Key Competencies

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Changing and Improving

Essential Experience

• Significant experience at middle‑manager level, including the management of staff
• Experience of monitoring performance in an 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 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 of the wider criminal justice system, Leadership, Making Effective Decisions, Working Together, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Changing and Improving.
• Presentation Level of security checks required DBS Standard

Benefits

• Annual Leave – 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years of service, plus public holidays. Leave for part‑time and job‑share posts calculated on a pro‑rata basis.
• Pension – Covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF).
• Training – Extensive range of training and development opportunities.
• Employee Networks – Opportunities to join employee‑run networks providing support and a platform for views from minority groups.
• Family‑Friendly Policies – Reduced hours or job share, flexible benefits, voluntary benefits, retail vouchers, and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• Childcare Support – Eligibility for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare.
• Leave Entitlements – Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Health – Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Eligibility and Security Checks

• All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post. Eligibility for benefits is contingent upon successful completion of these checks.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attracting, retaining and investing in talent wherever it is found. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles. Civiles of the Civil Service welcome disabled candidates and are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.