HM Prison and Probation Service
Senior Probation officer - Knowsley St Helens - Integrated Offender Management (IOM) (Ref: 19600)
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Senior Probation Officer (Management Role) – NPS Poplar House, Huyton (L36 9US)
Location
National Probation Service (NPS Poplar House, Huyton, L36 9US)
Job Overview
This is a management role within the National Probation Service (NPS). The Senior Probation Officer supports the Head of Operational Function to provide leadership within a Local Delivery Unit (LDU) or other operational unit.
Job Description
Summary
The post holder will:
- Manage and lead operational staff to ensure desired standards are met.
- Provide cover and support to other teams in absence.
- Uphold NPS policies on equality, inclusion, and confidentiality.
- Adhere to sensitive handling of information.
Some out-of-hours work may be required.
Key Responsibilities & Duties
Senior Probation Officers may be required to deliver any combination of the following tasks:
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Leadership & Management
- Provide effective management and leadership to the team.
- Ensure quality delivery of services, performance improvements, and adherence to national standards.
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Budget & Resource Management
- Deploy resources (interventions, staff) cost-effectively, ensuring value in budget control and strategic aims.
- Authorise expenditure within financial limits.
- Liaise with Head of Operational Function for financial oversight.
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Performance & Compliance
- Uphold contractual obligations with HMPPS, Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRC), and local business plans.
- Analyse and apply performance data to optimise team output and meet public protection standards/targets.
- Ensure compliance with risk management and offender supervision policies.
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Stakeholder Engagement & Representation
- Lead multi-agency partnerships and stakeholder relations in line with the business plan.
- Represent NPS to both internal and external partners.
- Collaborate with LDU/Operational Unit Management Teams.
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Training & Development
- Proactively manage:
- Staff development
- Underperformance, attendance, health & safety
- Grievances, diversity, and equality matters
- Maintain a consistent, fair, and objective approach to employment decisions.
- Proactively manage:
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Operational & Executive Roles
- Contribute to public protection via multi-agency coordination and case reviews.
- Fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
- Implement health and safety policies effectively.
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- Specialised Responsibilities
- Pro-social modelling to reinforce pro-social behaviour and challenge anti-social attitudes.
- Safeguarding children duties as per NPS statutory requirements.
- Compliance with NPS and HMPPS values.
This list is not exhaustive—adjustments may be made to reflect operational needs, requiring subsequent discussion.
Key Behaviours Assessed
Your performance will be evaluated against these core NPS values and competencies:
- Working Together
- Developing Self and Others
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Leadership
Essential Experience & Qualifications
Experience Requirements
- Substantial experience in offender risk assessment and management (or equivalent in criminal justice/social work).
- Understanding of multi-agency working in the criminal justice system.
- Proficiency in victim engagement.
- Risk management & assessment expertise.
- Proven ability to:
- Evaluate performance and practice.
- Contribute policy-relevant insights.
- Perform under pressure, tight deadlines, and with flexibility.
- Champion diversity and inclusiveness.
- Implement health and safety protocols.
Must demonstrate competence in English or Welsh (where applicable in Wales).
Qualification Requirements
-
Probation Qualification Framework (PQF):
- Graduate Diploma/BA Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice.
-
Recognised Alternative Qualifications (Section 10, Offender Management Act 2007):
- Diploma in Probation Studies
- Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)
- CCAB-qualified (Community Care-Assessed Base Qualification for Social Workers) (applies to qualifications gained in England/Wales at the time received)
Person Specification
Qualifications
(Already detailed above.)
Technical Skills & Expectations
- Ability to work with performance reports and data.
- Strong IT and analytical skills.
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Selection Criteria
Behaviours assessed include:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Developing Self and Others
- Leadership
Technical skills assessed include: (Refer to "Specific Qualification Requirements").
Selection Process
This vacancy uses Success Profiles to assess:
-
Behaviours
-
Strengths
-
Experience
-
Technical Skills
-
Feedback will only be provided after an interview/assessment is attended.
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Security checks: Candidates must pass a criminal record check + baseline personnel security standard.
Applicant Guidance
- Plagiarism Policy: Assertions must be truthful, factually verifiable, and personal to your experience. AI-generated content may result in application withdrawal.
- Disclaimer: Career details and technical requirements are provisional and may change.
Candidates with Disabilities & Redeployment
- The Civil Service supports the Disability Confident Scheme.
- Redeployment Interview Scheme available for eligible civil servants at risk of redundancy.
Nationality Requirements
Open to:
- UK nationals & Republic of Ireland.
- Commonwealth citizens with UK work rights.
- EU/EEA/Swiss/Norwegian/Icelandic/Liechtenstein nationals (incl. family members with EUSS).
- UK residents (pre-settled/settled).
- Turkish nationals (if relevant).
Working Benefits
- Learning & Development Support
- Flexible Working Options
- Diversity & Inclusion Culture
- Civil Service Pension (28.97% employer contribution)
- Public Holidays + Season Ticket Advance
- Annual Leave
Link to Candidate FAQs & Recruitment Process
Contact Us
Job Questions: Email: moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk Phone: 0345 241 5358
Complaints: If you suspect breach of Civil Service Recruitment Principles, report to: SSCL (moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com)
For Independent Complaints Guidance: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk
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