Probation Officer - Homeless Prevention Team Manager

Ministry of Justice; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in Westminster is looking for a skilled professional to manage the daily operations of its Homelessness Prevention Team. This role focuses on providing operational management for accommodation services and ensuring effective support for individuals leaving prison. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in community justice and operational management. The position offers hybrid working arrangements and various benefits including training and development opportunities.

Benefits

Annual leave increases with service

Local Government Pension Scheme

Extensive training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience of operating in a complex stakeholder environment.
• Knowledge of Homelessness Legislation (HRA 2017) or experience of Duty to Refer (DTR).

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations of the Homelessness Prevention Team.
• Provide risk-of-harm management oversight.
• Line-manage HPT staff.
• Manage relationships with service providers and authorities.

Skills

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Operational management

Record keeping

Education

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

Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)

Job description

Overview

This is an exciting opportunity to be an integral part of the London Homelessness Prevention Team (HPT). This role will be focusing on the operational management of Community Accommodation Service – Tier 3 (CAS3) to London, which is a crucial part of the government's plan to cut crime, reduce re‑offending and help people leaving prison to make a success of their lives. The service provides transitional housing for up to 12 weeks for people supervised by probation who are leaving prison, approved premises or bail accommodation and support services (BASS) and who are at risk of homelessness.

Responsibilities

• Manage the daily operations of the HPT including processing referrals, making accommodation placements, incident response and move‑on planning.
• Provide risk‑of‑harm management oversight and advice to support appropriate and effective CAS3 accommodation placements.
• Line‑manage HPT staff.
• Manage key relationships including with CAS3 service providers, Central HPT and Local Authority housing services.
• Maintain a strong interface with Probation Delivery Units (PDUs).
• Be responsible for accurate record keeping across multiple systems, including financial accounts.
• Provide specific advice and oversight to support accommodation placements in complex cases.
• Promote the work of the London HPT and communicate effectively with a range of key partners and stakeholders.
• Deputise for the Homeless Prevention Team Lead as required.

Desirable Experience

• Experience of operating in a complex and challenging stakeholder environment.
• Knowledge of Homelessness Legislation (HRA 2017) or experience of Duty to Refer (DTR).

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.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Diploma in Probation Studies.
• Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option).
• CQSW (with Probation Option).
• 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 directly 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.
• Family Friendly policies: 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.
• Childcare support: 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.

Eligibility

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.

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 8 am‑6 pm) or e‑mail moj‑recruitment‑vetting‑[e-mail]);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing‑management‑[e-mail]);
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here).

Disability Confident

As a 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.

Veterans

"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. For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.