HM Prison and Probation Service
Senior Probation Officer - Bournemouth / Poole - Permanent - Full Time (Ref: 19598)
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Senior Probation Officer - Bournemouth / Poole - Permanent - Full Time (Ref: 19598)
Senior Probation Officer – National Probation Service (NPS)
Location: POSITIONS BASED AT: NPS 63 Commercial Road, Poole, BH14 0JB NPS 7 Madeira Road, Bournemouth, BH1 1QL
Job Summary
Please refer to Job Description.
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 leadership within a Local Delivery Unit (LDU) or other operational unit.
Summary of the Role
The Senior Probation Officer is expected to:
- Manage and lead staff within the operational area to meet required standards.
- Offer support and cover to other teams/functions during periods of absence.
- Adhere to NPS policies on equality, inclusion, and confidentiality of sensitive information.
- Handle risk of some out-of-hours working where relevant.
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties
The Senior Probation Officer may be required to undertake any combination or all of the following duties:
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Leadership & Accountability
- Provide effective management, leadership, and accountability for team performance.
- Ensure quality delivery of good practice and compliance with national standards.
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Resource & Budget Management
- Deploy team resources (interventions, budget) effectively and cost-efficiently to align with strategic aims.
- Ensure adherence to NPS’ contract with HMPPS, CRC, and local business plans.
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Performance & Data-Driven Decisions
- Interpret, analyse, and apply performance data proactively to improve team performance.
- Evaluate practice and deliver organizational aims through data.
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Staff & Operational Management
- Proactively manage staff development, underperformance, attendance, health & safety, employee relations, and diversity.
- Adhere to a consistent, fair, and objective stance in staff decision-making.
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Risk & Public Protection
- Ensure offender managers manage risk appropriately and meet public protection standards/targets.
- Contribute to public protection via multi-agency partnerships, casework review, and feedback.
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Innovation & Continuous Improvement
- Foster a culture of innovation and continuous enhancement of service delivery.
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Financial Stewardship
- Manage financial resources within delegated responsibility and align with HMPPS financial regulations.
- Authorise expenditure within approved limits.
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Stakeholder Engagement
- Lead direction with partners and stakeholders per business plan, representing the NPS.
- Facilitate effective communication between the LDU/operational unit management and partnerships.
- Engage in corporate management of the NPS as part of the management team.
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- Statutory & Ethical Responsibilities
- Demonstrate pro-social modelling, reinforcing positive behaviour and challenging anti-social attitudes.
- Comply with safeguarding children duties aligned with NPS policies and responsibilities.
- Work within NPS and HMPPS aims and values.
Note: The listed duties are not exhaustive. The role holder must accept reasonable variations or additional workflow tasks. Significant changes may require job evaluation discussions.
Key Behaviours Assessed
- Working Together
- Developing Self and Others
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Leadership
Essential Experience
Candidates should demonstrate:
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Substantial experience with a proven record of good practice in:
- Offender risk assessment & management.
- Probation or criminal justice agency roles.
- Multi-disciplinary Criminal Justice System work.
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Understanding of the Probation Service’s role in victim engagement and broader systems.
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Expertise in risk management, multiagency collaboration, and assessment processes.
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Evidence of practice evaluation and insights into policy development.
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Experience in high-pressure environments, meeting tight deadlines, and achieving targets.
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Flexible teamwork skills to align with organisational objectives.
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Administrative acumen, particularly in systems integration and information management.
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Achievements in managing change to improve quality and efficiency.
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Proficient IT skills (e.g., interpreting performance reports).
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Proactive championing of diversity and inclusion internally and externally.
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Competence in security, health & safety policies.
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Confidence in spoken communication using English or Welsh (where applicable).
Technical Requirements
Probation Qualifications: ✔ Graduate Diploma or Honours Degree in Community Justice, integrated with a Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice. ✔ Alternative recognised qualifications (as per the Offender Management Act 2007 – Section 10) previously accepted include:
- Diploma in Probation Studies
- Diploma in Social Work (with a Probation Option)
- Certified/Chartered Qualification in Social Work (CQSW) with Probation Focus
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Graduate Diploma in Community Justice + Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice. or an equivalent qualification recognised at application time by the Secretary of State for Justice.
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Benefits & Opportunities
- Access to Learning & Development tailored to career progression.
- Flexible Working Options balancing work and personal life.
- Supportive Culture Fostering Inclusion and Diversity.
- Civil Service Pension: Employer contribution of 28.97%.
- Generous Annual Leave entitlement.
- Public Holiday Coverage alongside the government guidelines.
- Season Ticket Loan Scheme available.
- Schemes supporting veterans and persons with disabilities.
Security & Clearance
- Criminal Record Check is mandatory.
- Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check required for relevant posts.
Nationality & Eligibility
- Open to:
- UK nationals.
- Irish nationals.
- Commonwealth nationals with right to work in the UK.
- EU/EFTA nationals, Swiss citizens, or their family members with settled/pre-settled status under the Settlement Scheme.
- Applicants with pre-settled/settled status applications validly submitted before June 30, 2022.
- Turkish nationals per mutual accession agreements.
Selection Process
Using Success Profiles, assessors will evaluate:
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Behaviours, Strengths & Experience.
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Application feedback: Provided only to candidates who attend interviews/assessments.
AI Note: Artificial intelligence can assist applications but must refrain from:
- Plagiarism (falsely representing external AI/others’ ideas as your own).
- Submitting fabricated experiences. Guidelines available here.
Governance & Framework
- Adheres to the Civil Service Code (opens in new tab).
- Recruitment follows Civil Service Commission principles ( prominence of merit, fairness, and openness).
- Participates in Disability Confident Scheme and Veterans Pathways Programs.
Contact for Applicants
Email: moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk Phone: 0345 241 5358
Further Information
Appointeeship governed by Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles. Click here for redress enquiries.
Save a draft of the job description for reference.
Tenure & Compliance
Any recruitment breaches Civil Service Recruitment Principles? Escalate to SSCL – moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com. indefinite leave enforcement related issues: CSS Commission Direct Access.
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