HM Prison and Probation Service
Programme Manager (Ref: 19272)
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Job Description: Programme Manager (Management Role) – HM Prison Cookham Wood & HM Prison Rochester
Location: HM PRISON COOKHAM WOOD, ROCHESTER, ME1 3LU HM PRISON ROCHESTER, ROCHESTER, ME1 3QS
About the Role
This is a management role within an HM Prison establishment, tasked with planning, overseeing, and delivering accredited offending behaviour programmes to ensure compliance with HMPPS accreditation standards, organisational policies, and Interventions Integrity Framework (IIF).
The role will align with strategic aims, promote lawful behaviour in custody and post-release, and support efforts to reduce reoffending. Responsibilities extend to managing accredited and non-accredited programmes, teams, and administrational processes while collaboratively working with internal/external stakeholders.
Summary
The Programme Manager will:
- Plan, manage, and oversee the delivery of accredited offending behaviour programmes.
- Ensure delivery aligns with HMPPS strategic aims, legal, and rehabilitation objectives.
- Work with multiple stakeholders, including psychology services, senior leadership, and probation, to maintain efficiency and effectiveness.
- Lead a team of facilitators and administrative roles while ensuring robust adherence to HMPPS National Framework for Interventions.
- Promote whole-staff awareness of offending behaviour programmes and contribute to wider risk management initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Programme Management & Delivery
- Develop and monitor an annual delivery plan that meets performance targets, accommodates prisoner needs, and optimises resources.
- Oversee the administration and facilitation team, ensuring staff have the necessary continuing professional development (CPD), guidance, and involvement in programme planning.
- Monitor performance and report progress to senior leaders and national teams via data and feedback.
- Collaborate with regional and national psychology teams to align delivery resources and quality.
- Attend relevant local/national meetings and training sessions for Programme Managers.
Strategic Alignment & Compliance
- Support HMPPS rehabilitative strategy through regional and national engagement.
- Ensure compliance with IIF, organisational policies, and HMIP accreditation standards, addressing concerns raised during Quality Assurance Feedback, HMIP inspections, or Measuring the Quality of Prison Life (MQPL).
- Promote integration of programmes with established processes and enhance whole-staff understanding of offending behaviour interventions.
- Resolve compliance issues, develop improvement plans, and conduct local self-assessment reviews.
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Team Leadership & Consultation
- Lead the AIM team, coordinating multi-disciplinary support for programme participants.
- Work alongside treatment managers to ensure robust support structures.
- Serve as a consultant on both accredited and non-accredited programmes, liaising with senior management on policy updates.
- Maintain productive relations across all staff roles, ensuring full commitment to programme goals.
Requirements
Experience & Skills
- Highly organised and dedicated to treatment/rehabilitation work.
- Proven experience in managing staff and operational processes.
- Ability to work effectively within prison environments and comply with security standards.
- Ability to communicate professionally in English (Welsh; where relevant in Wales).
- Commitment to CIA Success Profiles Behaviours:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Developing Self and Others
Technical Requirements
- All newly promoted Band 6 first-line managers (including this role) must complete the Civil Service New Manager Programme within three years.
- Exemptions apply if promoted from equivalent Band 6 roles previously undertaken.
Hours & Working Conditions
- 37-hour working week as standard.
- Unsocial hours allowances may apply.
Benefits
As a Band 6 civil servant, you’ll receive:
- A competitive salary: £41,197/annum.
- 28.97% employer contribution to the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.
- Access to Civil Service learning and development opportunities.
- Flexible working options to enhance work-life balance.
- Inclusive and diverse work culture.
- Public holidays and annual leave.
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For further clarification on benefits, allowance policies, and recruitment processes, visit: Candidate Information Page.
Selection Process
- Success profiles and behaviours will underpin assessments (e.g. Making Effective Decisions, Collaborating, etc.).
- Security checks are required, including a criminal record verification and completion of a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance.
Feedback on application progress will be confirmed upon interview attendance.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to:
- UK nationals
- Republic of Ireland nationals
- Commonwealth citizens with UK work rights
- EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic & Liechtenstein citizens with settled/pre-settled EUSS status
- Turkish nationals with work rights in the Civil Service
Detailed nationality requirements: Civil Service Nationality Policy
The Civil Service Code sets professional excellence as the standard. Applicants should reflect fair competition policies outlined in the Civil Service Commission guidelines.
Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service promotes equal opportunities, including:
- A Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for eligible candidates.
- The Great Place to Work for Veterans programme.
Further information: Civil Service People Plan
Contact & Next Steps
For enquiries:
- Email: moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
- Phone: 0345 241 5358
Applications must adhere to fair, merit-based recruitment practices per the Civil Service Commission principles. Artificial intelligence assistance may be used only for support, with claims to be directly verifiable and truthful.
This vacancy adheres to HMPPS and Civil Service employment standards.
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