National Probation Officer Returners Campaign (Ref: 83492)
HM Prison & Probation Service
About the job
Job summary
Please refer to job description.Job description
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity
National Probation Officer Returner Scheme
Offer only open to former, qualified probation officers who have left the Civil Service within the last five years.
If you are a former qualified probation officer who left the Civil Service less than 5 years ago, and have completed your probationary period and training, we would like you to consider returning to the Probation Service and joining your former colleagues to keep the public safe and rehabilitate people on probation.
We can offer you a fast-track return to the service with no need to repeat any entry level training or assessment process. Should you meet the eligibility criteria for this post you can be allocated to an available position straight away. All open campaigns are listed here: Probation officer - Justice Jobs
If you are not yet ready to re-join at this time, you can still be part of our Probation Alumni Network to be kept up date on the latest developments for probation returners. If you have not already, visit Returners Scheme to learn more about the network and to register.
Eligibility:
This offer is open to all Qualified Probation Officers who have left the Civil Service:
- Through resignation or retirement in the last 5 years and who, before leaving, had successfully completed their probationary period.
- Open to former qualified probation officers who are currently working within the MOJ or other government departments.
Options for working arrangements and contract:
As part of your application, you will be asked to select up to three probation delivery units in your preferred work location, that are within an hour’s travelling distance of your home address.
The following options are available:
- Full or part-time either permanent or temporary contract –temporary contracts are available for three, six or nine months.
- Flexible contractual terms.
For temporary contract appointments:
We are offering temporary contracts on a three, six- or nine-month basis with the opportunity to extend the contract up to a maximum of two years, should you wish to do so and if there is a continuing requirement for your services.
As a temporary member of staff, you will receive the full range of Civil Service benefits other than permanent tenure. You will be automatically enrolled for pension although you may opt out. You will be entitled to 25 days' leave per annum, pro rata.
Pre-employment checks:
You will be subject to pre-employment checks including Occupational Health Review and you will undergo and clear pre-employment checks which will include Enhanced Level 2.
Once in your role, you will require access to the multi-agency ViSOR database, and you will therefore be required to undertake Non-Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) Level 2.
This is routine and will apply to anyone who has been absent from the service for more than 28 days.
Training:
At the point of return, an individualised training needs analysis will be completed to identify training that has been completed and to schedule any relevant training that is required.
Full time salary:
- £31,582 + London allowance of £4,126 for London, Staines and Watford base location where applicable. Starting salary will increase to £35,130 in April 2024.
- Higher starting salaries (in line with current policy) can be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Overview of the job
Post holders will undertake the full range of offender management tasks with people on probation under supervision including assessment, sentence implementation and producing reports; utilising service procedures and practice directions to underpin professional judgement.
Summary
To assess and manage the risk posed by people on probation to protect victims of crime and the general the 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.
An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.
Person specification
Please refer to job description.Benefits
Alongside your salary of £31,582, HM Prison & Probation Service contributes £8,369 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Experience and Technical skills.https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJFeedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.