Probation Officers

Ministry of Justice; Framwellgate Moor; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Justice's National Probation Service seeks a Senior Probation Officer to lead a Local Delivery Unit, guiding staff to deliver high-quality probation work in line with national standards. The role requires managing performance, data-driven decision making, and strong leadership across teams.

You will work within a multi-agency context, ensure safeguarding, and contribute to continuous improvement and efficient use of resources. Excellent collaboration and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience with good practice in varied settings including offender risk assessment and management
• Understanding of Probation Service role in the Criminal Justice System
• Experience in risk management and multi-agency procedures
• Ability to evaluate practice and contribute to policy development
• Experience working under pressure and meeting deadlines
• Experience in staff management and developing teams

Responsibilities

• Provide effective management and leadership to the team
• Ensure quality delivery of good practice and performance improvement
• Deploy resources cost effectively and manage budget within policy
• Meet requirements of contracts with HMPPS, CRCs and local plans
• Interpret and apply performance data to maximise team performance
• Develop staff, address underperformance, health and safety issues
• Ensure offenders are managed with appropriate risk controls and public protection
• Contribute to safeguarding and multi-agency arrangements
• Promote continuous improvement and service delivery
• Communicate with partners and stakeholders effectively
• Participate in organisational management and annual business planning

Skills

Leadership

Staff development

Performance management

Budget control

Multi-disciplinary collaboration

Data interpretation

Diversity and inclusion

Education

Graduate Diploma/Honours Degree in Community Justice or equivalent

Section 10 qualification eligibility (Probation related)

Tools

IT systems

Job description

The Senior Probation Officer supports the Head of Operational Function to provide management and a leading role within a Local Delivery Unit (LDU) or other operational unit., The job holder will be expected to manage and lead staff within the operational area to the required standard, and will offer support and cover to other teams/functions during periods of absence.

In line with NPS policies and procedures, the job holder must at all times demonstrate a commitment to equality and inclusion and an understanding of their relevance to the work they do.

The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position.

If relevant to the role, some out of hours working may be required

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

• To provide effective management and leadership to the team
• To be accountable for the quality delivery of good practice and team performance improvement within policy and national standards
• To ensure that all team resources, including interventions, are deployed cost effectively and provide best value in terms of both budget control and realising the organisation's strategic aims
• To ensure that staff can efficiently and effectively meet the requirements of the NPS' contract with HMPPS, Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRC) and local business plans as required
• To access, interpret, analyse and apply performance data pro-actively in order to maximise LDU/team performance, evaluate practice and deliver organisational aims
• To proactively manage staff development, issues of underperformance, attendance, health and safety, employee relations and diversity matters. Adopt a consistent, fair and objective standpoint when making decisions in relation to individual staff issues
• To ensure that offender managers manage risk appropriately, and meet all public protection standards and targets
• To contribute directly to public protection through multi-agency arrangements and individual casework review, discussion and feedback
• To promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement to service delivery
• To manage financial resources for your area of responsibility as required by your Head of Operational Function and in line with HMPPS financial regulations and policies. To authorise expenditure within financial limits
• In accordance with the business plan, to provide a leading role and direction in work with partners and key stakeholders, and represent the NPS as appropriate to the role
• To facilitate effective communication between the LDU/Operational Unit management team and internal and external partners
• To play an active part in the corporate management of the NPS as necessary, as a member of the LDU/Operational Unit Management Team
• To undertake specific areas of responsibility as delegated by the Head of Operational Function.
• Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes
• Carry out safeguarding children duties in accordance with the NPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies
• To work within the aims and values of NPS and HMPPS

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 Job Evaluation and shall be discussed in the first instance with the Job Holder.

Working Together

Developing Self and Others

Delivering at Pace

Managing a Quality Service

Making Effective Decisions

Communicating and Influencing

Leadership

Essential Experience

• Substantial experience with a proven record of good practice in a variety of settings (including offender risk assessment and management) as a Probation Officer or from working within another criminal justice agency or related work context
• Understanding of the role of the Probation Service in the Criminal Justice System and in a multi-disciplinary setting.
• Knowledge and understanding of the factors which influence engagement with victims
• Experience of risk management and assessment, understanding of multi-agency risk assessment and management procedures
• Evidence of ability to evaluate practice
• Evidence of ability to provide a practice perspective on policy development
• Experience of working under pressure and fulfilling demanding deadlines
• Experience of working flexibly as a member of a team to achieve performance targets
• Experience of contributing to the provision of effective administration and information systems
• Demonstrable achievements in managing/supporting change and effecting improvements in quality and efficiency
• Able to demonstrate well developed IT skills, including evidence of ability to interpret and apply performance reports
• Experience of proactively championing diversity and inclusiveness both internally and externally
• Ability to implement the services health and safety policies
• An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh

Technical requirements

• 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)