Probation Officers

Ministry of Justice; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Leave 25 days

Training and development

Flexible working options

Job summary

The Ministry of Justice is recruiting a Probation Officer for a Stafford House PIPE Approved Premises position. The post operates on an AP basis with no option for hybrid working.

You will assess and manage probation caseloads, provide professional reports, and work with courts and partner agencies to manage risk and reduce reoffending. A qualifying Probation Officer credential and Level 5 Diploma are essential, with opportunities for professional development within the Civil Service framework.

Qualifications

• Qualified Probation Officer or eligible with Probation Officer qualifications.
• Experience with diverse communities and promoting equality.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional advice and assessment, including written reports to courts, the Parole Board, and partner organisations.
• Undertake offender management tasks with individuals at all risk levels including high and very high.
• Use computer-based systems to produce, update and maintain records within agreed timescales.
• Facilitate referrals and build relationships between offender management, court teams, victim contact units and external agencies to reduce reoffending.
• Attend professional meetings and represent PS at partnership forums such as MAPPA and MARAC.
• Provide guidance and support to Probation Services Officers and other staff; cover within the team as needed.
• Undertake prison, home or other visits as required; deliver and co-lead accredited programmes.
• Demonstrate safeguarding responsibilities and pro-social behaviour modelling as part of role.
• Work within the aims and values of PS and HMPPS.

Skills

Pro-social modelling

Risk assessment

Report writing

Collaboration

Education

PQF Honours Degree

Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice

Diploma in Probation Studies

CQSW (Probation option)

Tools

Evidence Based Practice

Risk/Needs assessment tools

Job description

To assess and manage the risk posed by people on probation to protect victims of crime and the general public by:

• Providing information and advice to criminal courts, other criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.
• Supervise people on probation subject to community orders and licences and during custodial sentences.
• Contribute to the management of risk.
• Work with other agencies and groups to prevent crime and meet the needs of victims and people on probation.

In line with PS 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 undertake. The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position. Responsibilities, Activities & Duties Probation Officers may be required to undertake any combination, or all, of the duties and responsibilities set out below.

• To provide professional advice and assessment, including written reports to courts, the Parole Board, other criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.
• To undertake the full range of offender management tasks with people on probation assessed at all levels of risk of serious harm including high and very high.
• To use computer based systems to produce, update and maintain records and other documentation within agreed timescales.
• To ensure timely and effective referrals to, and relationships between, offender management, court teams, victim contact units, interventions, Approved Premises, prisons and external agencies to enhance positive outcomes, manage risk and reduce reoffending.
• To attend professional meetings and represent the PS at appropriate partnership forums e.g. MAPPA, MARAC.
• To work collaboratively with colleagues, maintain effective team relationships and provide professional guidance and support to Probation Services Officers (PSOs) and other staff as appropriate.
• To provide cover within your team and to other teams as required.
• To undertake prison, home or other alternate location visits as required.
• To deliver and co-lead accredited programmes commensurate with grade.
• To conduct mandatory alcohol and drug tests as required, and to follow prescribed medication procedures.
• Carry out safeguarding children duties in accordance with the PS statutory responsibilities and agency policies.
• Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes.
• To work within the aims and values of PS 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 the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder., This involves working with individuals with personality disorders/personality difficulties. The PIPE model is heavily focused on a relational approach, and as such there is an expectation of engaging/working even more closely with staff and residents.

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.

An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.

Behaviours

• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

Essential Experience

• Experience of working with a wide variety of people who have experienced a range of social/personal difficulties.
• Experience of working with diverse communities including promoting equality and valuing diversity.
• An understanding and appreciation of equality.
• Experience of working with individuals and groups in order to motivate and change offending behaviour.
• Experience of working with people who have committed offences.

Technical requirements

You must hold a Probation Officer qualification or be a qualified Probation Officer. In addition, successful candidates must hold the following:

• PQF Honours Degree/Graduate Diploma and Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice
• Practice; or
• Diploma in Probation Studies; or Diploma in Social Work (Probation option); or CQSW (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.

Additional Information The current vacancy is based at Stafford House PIPE Approved Premises. The role is AP based with no option for hybrid working. 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) Specific language requirements English Language - written and verbal. 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), Delivering at Pace Communicating and Influencing Changing and Improving, Presentation Level of security checks required DBS Standard

The MoJ offers a range of 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‑ratio 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 Support

Support

• 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)

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...