Dudley and Sandwell - Black Country Courts SPO

General Information

Salary
£46,746 \- £48,760
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Dudley, Wolverhampton
Region
West Midlands
Closing Date
12\-Jun\-2026
Business Unit
PDU Dudley and Sandwell (2021\)
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Other
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
18302

Descriptions \& requirements

Job description
Overview of the job

This is a management role within the National Probation Service (NPS).

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.

Summary

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 ad 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


• To work within the aims and values of NPS 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 Job Evaluation and shall be discussed in the first instance with the Job Holder.

Behaviours

• Working Together


• Developing Self and Others • Delivering at Pace


• Managing a Quality Service


• Making Effective Decisions


• Communicating and Influencing


• Leadership

Essential Experience

• Substantial experience with a proven record of good practice in a variety of settings (including offender risk assessment and management) as a

Probation Officer or from working within another criminal justice agency or related work context

• Understanding of the role of the Probation Service in the Criminal Justice System and in a multi\-disciplinary setting.


• Knowledge and understanding of the factors which influence engagement with victims


• Experience of risk management and assessment, understanding of multiagency risk assessment and management procedures


• Evidence of ability to evaluate practice


• Evidence of ability to provide a practice perspective on policy development


• Experience of working under pressure and fulfilling demanding deadlines


• Experience of working flexibly as a member of a team to achieve performance targets


• Experience of contributing to the provision of effective administration and information systems


• Demonstrable achievements in managing/supporting change and effecting improvements in quality and efficiency


• Able to demonstrate well developed IT skills, including evidence of ability to interpret and apply performance reports


• Experience of proactively championing diversity and inclusiveness both internally and externally


• Ability to implement the services health and safety policies

An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (w specified in Wales) Welsh

Technical requirements

• Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/ Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice.


• Or a qualification which was recognised at the time of qualification by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007\.The following qualifications gained in England and Wales were previously recognised as providing such eligibility:


• Diploma in Probation Studies,


• Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)


• CQSW (with Probation Option)

Additional Information
This successful candidate may be required to work flexibly across the Black Country Courts sites but their base location can be negotiated from those available in the PDU.

Working Arrangements \& Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements w business need allows. This is an informal, non\-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre\-employment checks.

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part\-time, flexible and job\-sharing working patterns, w they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part\-time, flexible and job\-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS’ Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service, plus public holidays. Leave for part\-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro\-rata basis

Pension

The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF). Please visit www.gmpf.org.uk for further information.

Please note: Any current Civil Servant who is a member of the PCSPS, by accepting an offer of employment to the National Probation Services will be opted out of the PCSPS and auto enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee\-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. T are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

Eligibility

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post

Support

• A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.


• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a rang

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