Probation Learning Manager

Ministry of Justice; Ashford; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training opportunities

Flexible working options

Pension and staff development

Job summary

The Ministry of Justice (NPS) is seeking a Probation Learning Manager to lead the delivery of Probation qualifications and associated L&D across a regional footprint. You will mentor a dispersed team of Practice Tutor Assessors, coach staff, and align regional activity with national L&D priorities.

You will collaborate with Design Faculty to shape the national training agenda, manage CPD projects, and promote a positive learning culture across NPS/HMPPS.

Qualifications

• Mentoring/coaching staff to develop capability and performance.
• Experience of managing staff, supervision, appraisal and development.

Responsibilities

• Implement probation qualifications and L&D activities with resources deployment to meet priorities.
• Engage stakeholders to implement L&D priorities and address issues.
• Monitor learner progression and advise line managers and PTAs.
• Provide line management and development of PTAs and oversee HR policies and recruitment.
• Undertake HR related investigations and hearings.
• Lead L&D communications and promote NPS qualifications.

Skills

Mentoring / Coaching

People management

Performance management

Operational planning

Working under pressure

Health & Safety

Change management

Relationship management

Verbal & written communication

Education

Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/ Honours Degree in Community Justice

Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice

Diploma in Probation Studies

Diploma in Social Work (Probation Option)

CQSW (Probation Option)

Learning and Development qualification

Tools

IT skills & performance reporting

Job description

The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of all Learning and Development (L&D) activities, including Probation Qualifications, along with aiding an NPS region in meeting business needs. Although based within the NPS the post holder is a member of the wider HMPPS L&D team and reports to a Regional Learning Lead. The post holder manages the day to day delivery of Probation qualifications at NPS Regional level and provides significant inputs in providing the associated L&D for the NPS. This includes being solution focused in developing initiatives to meet business need and engaging the division in the L&D activities available. The role is a L&D management function and the post holder will be required to apply their professional skills and specialist knowledge to contribute to the effective delivery of probation qualifications and associated L&D programmes. The post holder will be required to contribute their knowledge and skills in local and national projects to support continuous improvement of NPS/HMPPS L&D design and delivery. The post holder will have line management responsibilities for a geographically dispersed team of Practice Tutor Assessors (PTAs). The post holder will also be required to mentor and coach other staff in order to support the professional development across NPS, and on occasion, HMPPS. Management and deployment of NPS L&D activities to meet the needs of the region. Ability to deploy resources efficiently and effectively to meet business aims/objectives and national targets in conjunction with the Regional Learning Lead. Contribute to the development of strategic national learning priorities in conjunction with HMPPS L&D, supporting or aligning the breakdown of these priorities into areas of focus for the region and delivering high quality probation qualifications and associated professional skills training across an NPS region. Manage a geographically spread team of PTAs to meet the needs of the region. The post holder will be expected to travel within the NPS regions and to national events on a regular basis. This will require occasional overnight stays. Responsibilities, Activities & Duties The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

• Implement probation qualifications and other L&D activities, exercising autonomy over deployment of resources and decision making to meet priorities and Divisional need.
• Work with Learning Services to develop national probation qualifications policy and the delivery model
• Engage and influence internal and external stakeholders to effectively implement national and divisional L&D priorities and to address emerging issues.
• Monitor learner progression issues and advise, guide and direct line managers and PTAs.
• Provide line management and development of a team of PTAs and undertake all Human Resources (HR) related policies and practices including overseeing local recruitment, Attendance Management, Performance Management, Staff Appraisals.
• Undertake investigations for disciplinary, grievance and other hearings.
• Lead on HMPPS/NPS Communications on a range of L&D products including promotion of NPS qualifications and L&D.
• Represent the NPS at national partnerships and development meetings
• Work in partnership with the L&D Improvement team and the L&D Product Owners to support specific projects/portfolios within Learning Services and the Design Faculty
• The post holder is responsible for maintaining an effective working relationship with middle managers, HEIs, CRCs, wider L&D colleagues and other stakeholders.
• The role will include deputising at a national and regional level for the Regional Learning Lead

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the Job Holder.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the KSS Learning and Development Team as a Probation Learning Manager undertaking the Probation Leaner Project Manager role leading on the delivery of continuous professional development (CPD) within the region to ensure a smooth delivery of learning products and resources. The post holder will act as the link between KSS L&D activity in the region and the centre, identifying delivery risks and brokering solutions. They will work in partnership with the Design Faculty to shape the national training agenda responding to identified regional needs and will lead on the delivery of a wide range of L&D projects or portfolios and promote and champion the Probation Service L&D model & a positive learning culture.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks. Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS' Flexible Working policy.

Leadership

• Leadership
• Developing Self and Others
• Changing and Improving
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

Essential Experience

• Mentoring/Coaching skills
• Substantial experience of management of staff, including supervision, appraisal and developing capability
• Experience of monitoring performance in area of responsibility against predetermined targets, setting local targets and effecting necessary improvements
• Operational planning through effective deployment of available resources and staff to meet operational demands
• Experience of working under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Experience of Health and Safety and Equalities management
• Experience of managing people through organisational change
• Experience of successfully managing relationships including where there is conflict

Technical requirements

• Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/ Honours Degree in Community Justice Integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice.
• A qualification which was recognised at the time of qualification by the 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.)
• Learning and Development qualification
• Detailed understanding of probation qualifications including vocational qualifications and Higher Education contract delivery
• Knowledge and understanding of the L&D process, including evaluation and quality assurance
• Knowledge of the wider criminal justice system and how the agencies work together
• Able to demonstrate well developed IT skills, including evidence of ability to interpret and apply performance reports
• Evidence of ability to provide a practice perspective on policy development

Ability

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to prepare high level written reports including data analysis and making strategic proposals.

Presentation Level of security checks required DBS Standard

Benefits

• Annual Leave - Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years' service, plus public holidays. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
• Pension - The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF). Please visit www.gmpf.org.uk for further information. Please note: Any current Civil Servant who is a member of the PCSPS, by accepting an offer of employment to the National Probation Services will be opted out of the PCSPS and auto enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Training - The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
• Networks - The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.
• Eligibility - All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.
• A range of 'Family Friendly' policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

• To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [e-mail]);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team ([e-mail]);
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

Disability Confident Employer

MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team. For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Redeployment Interview Scheme Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.