programme facilitator

Ministry of Justice; Yeovil; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK is seeking a Programme Facilitator to deliver rehabilitation interventions aimed at changing behaviours of probation clients. The role requires planning and group delivery of interventions in a therapeutic environment while adhering to safeguarding policies. Applicants should have experience in handling challenging behavior and a commitment to diversity. Evening work and travel will be required, alongside a starting salary of £26,475 and various benefits.

Benefits

Annual leave

Pension scheme

Training opportunities

Family-friendly policies

Qualifications

• Experience in dealing with challenging behaviour.
• Collaborative work maintaining effective team relationships.
• Awareness of safeguarding principles.
• Experience in assessing information to make decisions.
• Commitment to equality and diversity.
• Experience in using various IT applications.
• Implementing new learnings for performance improvement.
• Effective task planning in changing demands.

Responsibilities

• Planning and delivering group/individual interventions.
• Creating a safe and therapeutic working environment.
• Adhering to safeguarding policies.
• Managing group dynamics and complexities.
• Addressing problematic behaviours.
• Monitoring and recommending on risk and wellbeing.
• Accurately recording data relevant to the role.
• Communicating concerns and progress to stakeholders.
• Delivering workshops to staff and stakeholders.
• Reinforcing pro-social behaviour consistently.

Skills

Dealing with challenging behaviour

Team collaboration

Understanding of criminal justice

Information assessment

Promoting equality and diversity

IT software applications

Task planning and prioritising

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

Please Note: There will be a Facilitation exercise included in the interview. Vacancies available based in Bristol, Yeovil or Bridgwater. If you are passionate about rehabilitation and can help people make meaningful and sustained changes in their lives, then a career as a Programme Facilitator in the Probation Service is for you. The job holder will deliver a range of rehabilitation interventions aimed at changing the attitudes, beliefs and behaviour of people on probation with a full range of offence types and risk levels, including those convicted of sexual and domestic abuse offences, as determined by sentences of the Courts and the recommendation of Probation Practitioners. The main objectives of this role are to reduce re‑offending, protect the public, prevent future victims and help people build constructive and meaningful lives in the community through the delivery of effective evidence‑based Accredited Programmes and Structured Interventions. The post holder will be regionally based, sit in the Interventions Team and report to the Programme Manager. They will deliver interventions across a large regional area where travel will be required. There will be no line management responsibility in this role. A requirement to work unsocial hours, including evenings and weekends, is expected.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

• Planning and delivery of Interventions in groups or on an individual basis to people on probation.
• Developing and building a therapeutic and safe working environment for the duration of the programme, in line with operational manuals and taking into account different learning styles and abilities.
• Adhering to statutory safeguarding (Children and Adult) and multi‑agency public protection policies to manage all risks of serious harm.
• Managing group dynamics and a range of complexities and needs of people on probation to ensure effective targeting and achievement of learning outcomes.
• Addressing any problematic behaviour within groups.
• Monitoring and making evidence‑based recommendations on suitability, risk, safety and wellbeing throughout the intervention (pre, during and post) to inform future sentence management.
• Completing timely and accurate recording of all relevant data – attendance, feedback, risk issues and relevant reports – meeting quality assurance requirements.
• Providing timely and appropriate communication and analysis of people on probation’s progress or concerns within a group, with relevant staff or stakeholders (Courts, Criminal Justice Agencies etc.) responsible for enforcement and risk management plans.
• Delivering workshops and briefings to Probation staff and external stakeholders on the range, purpose and content of available interventions.
• Demonstrating pro‑social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro‑social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti‑social behaviour and attitudes.
• Participating in regular video monitoring feedback sessions to ensure audit standards are adhered to and to review and reflect on own practice and implement advised professional development.

The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled, and demonstrate a commitment to equality and inclusion and an understanding of its relevance to the work.

Assessment Process

Your application will be sifted once the application deadline has closed. If successful at sift you will be invited to an interview which will include a facilitation exercise. The assessment will consist of two activities: a facilitation exercise and an interview relating to the role of a programme facilitator. The facilitation exercise will measure you against the behaviours of Communicating and Influencing, Developing Self and Others and Managing a Quality Service, and will take up to 10 minutes.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience dealing with challenging behaviour within a professional or personal setting.
• Experience working collaboratively, maintaining effective team relationships.
• Awareness and understanding of the criminal justice system, safeguarding principles and types of sentences given to people on probation.
• Experience assessing and analysing information from different sources to make decisions.
• Commitment to promoting equality and valuing diversity.
• Experience of using a range of IT software applications, such as Microsoft Office.
• Experience of implementing new learning to improve performance.
• Experience planning and prioritising tasks effectively in response to changing demands.

Technical & Development Requirements

• Required to undertake and pass an Assessment Centre prior to training.
• Required to become an Accredited Programmes Facilitator by completing all programme specific training (1 week per programme).
• Successful completion of a 6‑month probationary period including assessment centre and assessed training.

Working Arrangements

Majority of programmes are delivered in the evening; evening work is essential. Travel to different locations is required and travel expenses can be claimed. The role may involve unsocial hours including evenings and Saturdays, with additional premiums for Saturday and evening work. Hybrid working arrangements are available where business need allows.

Benefits & Salary

Starting salary will be £26,475, with additional unsocial hours payments. The Probation Service offers annual pay progression through a Competency Based Framework and benefits such as annual leave (25 days, increasing to 30 after five years), pension (local government pension scheme), training, and various family‑friendly policies.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Probation Service welcomes diversity and is a Disability‑Confident employer. All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.

Recruitment and Complaint Process

• To raise a complaint: contact the Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing‑management‑[e-mail]) or the Civil Service Commission.

Conclusion

This role is challenging, rewarding and offers job security, benefits and career progression opportunities, allowing you to make a real difference to people’s lives and communities.