About the job

Job summary

This position is based nationally or at 10 SOUTH COLONNADE LONDON, E14 4PU

Job description

JOB TITLE – Parole Board Victims Team Case Manager

Grade - EO 

About the Parole Board:

The Parole Board is an independent court-like body that is responsible for carrying out risk assessments on prisoners to determine whether they can be safely released into the community. We do that with great care and public protection is our top priority.  

All Parole Board decisions are solely focused on whether a prisoner would represent a significant risk to the public after release. Not all decisions Members make are popular, but they make these decisions fairly and objectively.

The Board is made up of about 158 members of secretariat staff based in our London Head Office and approximately 300 Members who make decisions on risk and hold hearings at prisons around the country.

The Parole Board is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Ministry of Justice. Staff who work for the Parole Board Secretariat are Public Servants and not Civil Servants.

The Parole Board office is principally located in London, and, for the purposes of organisational management and administration, it is not required to conduct business in Welsh. However, the Parole Board welcomes applications from candidates who speak Welsh and English as part of its commitment to treat both languages on a basis of equality in the conduct of public business and administration of justice in Wales, so far as is both appropriate and reasonable, and to reflect the community it serves.

Recruitment campaigns will be conducted in English.

About the role:

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a new and dynamic team to work within the Governance Function of the Parole Board, which will move into the Operational Function in due course.

The appointed person to this role, will be working closely with internal and external stakeholders to support the implementation of the Parole Board Rules 2019 (as amended) which allow for victims’ of crime to apply to observe private oral hearings of prisoners’ as well as fulfilling victims' entitlement as stated within

the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (November 2021) The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime in England and Wales and supporting public information materials - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Currently the Parole Board is operating a testing phrase for victims’ of crime to observe parole hearings. The option for a victim to observe a parole hearing is currently limited to cases within selected testing regions and only for victims signed up to the Victim Contact Scheme, either on a statutory or discretionary basis. It is expected that the option for victims to observe will be expanded towards the end of 2024 which will enable all victims across England and Wales to observe private oral hearings.  

Person specification:

The post-holder will need to be very organised and motivated and be able to work under pressure. As the Victims Team is new at the Parole Board, the candidate must be able to plan their work in order to identify potential issues and address these before they become a problem. Be proactive in their approach and seek to resolve problems with minimal supervision. Be able to effectively communicate and influence stakeholders in order to deliver results. Be self-motivated and be able to manage setbacks.

Main Duties:

The post holder’s main duties would be to process victim observer applications:

• Seeking prisoner representations in a timely manner.
• Issuing chasers where necessary.
• Notifying the Panel of a potential observer case.
• Referring prisoner representations to Panel for consideration.
• Issuing chasers where necessary.
• Issuing Panel decision of outcome and updating dossier.
• If approved, collate Panel availability for a case conference and canvass to all parties including His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service Victim Representative.
• Ensure case conference is arranged in accordance with the case manager handbook.
• Ensure all relevant attachments are sent at each step of the process.
• Ensure confidentiality forms have been completed and uploaded to the working system once hearing has concluded.
• Deal with any queries relating to applications.
• Liaising with victims who are not part of the Victim Contact Scheme
• Escalate queries in a timely manner to Team Leader/ Senior Manager where necessary
• Updating the victim observer spreadsheet accurately.

Cover colleagues as required to ensure business continuity.

• To develop and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Reasonable management requests to fulfil business needs

It is essential that you have:

• Ability to follow processes, policies, and guidelines.
• Experience in relaying complex information in a simple, digestible, and sensitive manner at all level
• Strong attention to detail, planning and organisational skills ensuring all information is recorded accurately
• Effective oral and written communication skills needed as engaging with members and stakeholders is required daily.
• Have a proficient level of IT including the use of email, MS word, Excel
• Ability to work on your own initiative

It is desirable that you have:

• Have a good understanding of confidentiality and discretion.
• Experience of case management/managing a caseload
• Experience of handling sensitive information would be an advantage but not essential.

Testing Criteria written stage:

At written stage we we’ll assess you against:

• Written statement of 750 words, this should outline why you are suitable for the role, and what transferable skills you have for the role
• A Curriculum Vitae (CV)

The behaviours of: 

• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Testing Criteria Interview stage

Any successful candidates at interview stage will be move onto a blended interview against behaviours and strengths, the behaviours tested will be:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Selection process details:

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Strengths.

At the sift stage, you will be assessed against Behaviours and a statement of your suitability a CV for the role. If there are a large volume of applications, the sift will only take place on the lead behaviour “Communicating and Influencing” and your statement of suitability.

For those successful applicants invited to interview will need to bring in photographic ID and two items which prove address dated within the last 3 months. Failure to do this may result in the successful applicant’s offer being withdrawn.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security:

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Check.

Covid-19 and virtual interviews:

In the current climate, face to face interviews may be conducted virtually. If you are successful and invited to a virtual interview, please see attached the ‘Candidate guide for virtual interviews’ document that will help you prepare.

If you have any issues with attending your virtual interview, please contact us regarding this. Please ensure the contact details you provide to us are up to date and correct, as if successful, all communication for your interview will be sent to you through the email address provided.

Reserve list:

The candidate who scored the highest during assessment will be offered the post. If there are multiple candidates that meet the benchmark for the position, they may be placed on a reserve list. Reserve lists will stay open for 12 months and we may contact you should the original appointment not accept.

You may also be contacted for other roles within the organisation or wider ALBs that has a sufficiently similar assessment criteria and desired skill set. This could also include roles at a lower grade.

Please note that line managers do not have to hold a reserve list.

Benefits:

• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
• Access to Learning and Development
• Opportunity to apply to suitable apprenticeship programs
• Access to development programs across the Civil Service
• A robust reward package, including staff discounts, cycle to work schemes and more
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• Civil Service pension scheme
• Annual leave
• Public holidays

Person specification

Please refer to Job Description

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £24,970, Parole Board contributes £6,766 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 Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Feedback 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

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

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.