Probation Services Officer role

at  Ministry of Justice

Salary
£25,310 - £30,968
Number of jobs available
1
Detail of reserve list
12 Months
Region
South West
City/Town
Plymouth
Building/Site

NPS ST CATHERINES HOUSE PLYMOUTH, PL1 2TS

Grade
Other
Organisation Grade for HMPPS
NPS Pay Band 3 National
Post Type
Permanent
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working, Other
Role Type
Operational Delivery
Will the successful applicant have line manager responsibilities?
No
Job description
Helping to keep the public safe. Giving people the chance to turn their lives around. Building a rewarding professional career. There are many reasons to join the Probation Service. What will yours be?
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
If you are successful in the recruitment process to join the Probation Service, your starting salary will be £25,310 (pay award pending).
The Probation Service offers the opportunity for annual pay progression through a Competency Based Framework (CBF), which if eligible, will see your pay increase. CBF is designed to enable you to move up through the pay band range as your competence grows.
Probation Service also increases their pay band ranges annually in line with Civil Service Pay guidance, which will also apply an increase to band pay ranges where applicable.

ABOUT US

By managing offenders in the community, the Probation Service protects the public from the effect of crime and gives offenders the chance to turn their lives around. Join us and you’ll be part of a supportive team that thrives on sharing knowledge and expertise.
Successful applicants may be based in a wide variety of office, court, team or prison locations within the Probation Service region. Allocations will be made according to business needs. To find out more about working as a Probation Service Officer please click here: Probation services officer - Ministry of Justice

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE

• Experience of working with a diverse range of people who have experienced a range of social/personal difficulties and the need to use tact and discretion when dealing with confidential and sensitive issues
• Experience in planning and coordinating work
• Experience of working with groups or individuals in order to motivate and change behaviour
• An understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities and diversity good practice
  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

• Minimum 2 GCSE’s at Grade C or above, including English, Maths or the ability to evidence high-level numeracy and literacy skills required to read, understand and interpret policies and the ability to write reports and correspondence for internal and external stakeholders
• Understanding of factors related to offending e.g. substance misuse, accommodation issues and being able to emphasise constructively with a range of people
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles of case management.
• Knowledge and understanding of risk management/risk assessment as pertaining to offenders and the impact on victims of crime
• Understanding of Health & Safety legislation in the workplace
• Knowledge and understanding of the work of the Criminal Justice System and Probation Service
• Knowledge of the aims and objectives of the Probation Service

ABOUT THE ROLE

Probation services officers can help make a real difference to peoples’ lives. It’s not always easy to help someone turn their life around, but it can be immensely rewarding.
We’re looking for empathetic, patient and resilient people to join us as probation services officers. As well as making a difference to others, the role offers plenty of on-the-job training and a real chance to build a career in the Probation Service.
As a PSO, you’ll have a similar job to a fully qualified probation officer. The main difference is you’ll work with medium and lower-risk clients. That’s not to say it’ll be easy. There’s no doubt this is a challenging role.
Day-to-day, you’ll manage a caseload of offenders before and after sentence. We’ll look to you to assess and manage risks, provide information to courts and work closely with agencies throughout the justice system. You’ll also do everything you can to support offenders. This could involve everything from providing practical advice about housing and employment to simply listening and empathising.

SUMMARY OF JOB ROLE

To assess and manage the risk (including risk management plans and escalation) posed by offenders to protect victims of crime and the general public by:

• Liaising, providing information and advice to criminal courts, criminal justice agencies and other partner agencies
• Supervise and manage the risk of those offenders subject to community sentences, during and after custodial sentences.
• Work with other agencies and groups to prevent crime and meet the needs of victims and offenders.

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 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 work may be required (i.e. Courts, Approved Premises, programmes, evening reporting, etc)

RESPONSIBILITIES, ACTIVITIES & DUTIES

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

• To undertake the full range of offender management tasks with offenders assessed as low or medium risk of harm and to support the Probation Officer grade in high-risk cases.
• When providing case manager support, to contribute to the delivery of the Risk Management Plan and report significant changes relating to risk of harm and/or of reoffending or any non-compliance within agreed enforcement procedures
• To use computer-based systems to produce, update and maintain records and other documentation within agreed timescales
• Ensure effective referrals to services and facilities and communicate with offender management staff, interventions staff, service providers and external agencies to review progress and associated risks.
• To undertake prison, home or alternate location visits as required in accordance with service procedures and policies.
• To undertake work in the court setting, including the completion of appropriate reports on cases and prosecution of breaches.
• To provide cover within teams 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 NPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies
• Demonstrate pro-social modeling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes.
• To work within the aims and values of the PS

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.