Probation Officers

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

Job summary

The Ministry of Justice invites applications for a Senior Probation Officer to lead an LDU or similar unit within the National Probation Service. The role focuses on delivering high-quality probation practice, meeting national standards, and ensuring strategic aims are achieved through effective staff management and resource use.

You will interpret performance data, manage staff development, and collaborate with partners to safeguard public protection while upholding equality and inclusion

Qualifications

• Provide effective management and leadership to the team within policy and national standards.
• Ensure quality delivery of good practice and team performance improvement.
• Deploy resources cost-effectively and exercise budget control.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective management and leadership to the team.
• Be accountable for quality delivery and performance improvements within policy and standards.
• Ensure resources and interventions are deployed cost-effectively and within budgets.
• Access, interpret, and apply performance data to maximise team performance.
• Manage staff development and address underperformance and safety matters.
• Contribute to public protection through multi-agency work and case review.
• Promote continuous improvement and effective communication with partners.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Performance analysis

Budget handling

Staff development

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 Senior Probation Officers may be required to undertake any combination, or all, of the duties and responsibilities set out below.

• 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