Probation Service Officer

First posting in Programmes / Offender Management

Job Purpose:Todeliver accredited programmes to offenders. The postholder will be required to successfully complete CoreSkills training and Programme specific training for those programmes which s/he is expected to deliver. This follows completion of the relevant Assessment Centres.

Line Manager;Programmes Co-ordinator

Grade:Band 3

Hours:Full time 37 hours per week.The postholder will be expected to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends, to meet the demands of the post.

Base:Delivery of Programmes is across Warwickshire and West Mercia, although your base will be in either,Leamington, Nuneaton, Telford or Worcester.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Deliver Accredited Offending Behaviour programmes in accordance with the relevant management manual
  • Administer psychometric tests
  • Contribute to recording and storage of information
  • Contribute to records of offender supervision by providing feedback reports to supervising officers
  • Develop and maintain good working relationships in order to enable full utilisation of available probation and community resources
  • Develop and enhancing own performance, knowledge and skills
  • Attend and participate in team meetings, contribute to the effective performance of the team
  • Promote the service’s equal opportunities policy and procedures in all working practices and ensuring service delivery is consistent with that policy
  • Adhere to the service’s health and safety policy and procedures in all working practices
  • Fulfil other duties and responsibilities including offender management consistent with the grade and role as required by the Programmes Co-ordinator
Key Competencies required:
C01 / Assist in the assessments of individual’s offending behaviour in planning provision
CO4 / Assist in the supervision, enforcement and review of sentences served in the community
D01 / Help individuals address their offending behaviour
D05 / Support and advise individual learners
D06 / Support individuals experiencing difficulties
D08 / Support individuals with difficult or potentially difficult relationships
D09 / Support individuals who are substance users
D10 / Enable individuals to find out about and use services and facilities
D12 / Contribute to the protection of individuals from abuse
D14 / Contribute to the prevention and management of abusive and aggressive behaviour
D308 / Delivery of externally validated evidence based programmes
E01 / Develop and sustain effective working relationships with staff in other agencies
E05 / Contribute to the development of and effectiveness of work teams
E09 / Contribute to the development and promotion of the agency and its services
E10 / Support the efficient use of resources
E11 / Lead the work of teams and individuals to achieve their objectives
E13 / Maintain activities to meet requirements

Training and Accreditation:

Following successful completion of accredited programme training, the postholder will be expected to demonstrate the following competencies as details in the Management Manual for Effective Delivery of Accredited Programmes in the Community (Version 2):

  • To be able to provide a comprehensive overview of a selection of cognitive behavioural programme(s), including the underpinning theoretical model
  • To be familiar with the research evidence that underpins the programme
  • To be able to demonstrate an ability to adhere to the programme manual and treatment style
  • To be able to demonstrate non sexist and non racist behaviours to others and at all times to behave in a manner that will not undermine the programme
  • To be able to communicate effectively and to work collaboratively with co-leaders and tutors
  • To be able to demonstrate a willingness and ability to develop skills and to enhance delivery

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Probation Service Officer

First posting in Programmes / Offender Management

If you are shortlisted you will be invited to attend a formal interview. At interview you will be asked to deliver a presentation, covering the following:

“Present and lead a discussion with the Panel about the steps you took to overcome a specific problem and your approach in doing so”.

If you are successful at interview you must then complete and pass Core Skills Training.

Core Skills is a competency based framework that is assessed and required to be met / achieved in order to deliver all Accredited Programmes.

Candidates who arenot already Core Skills trained will only be offered a post once they have passed the Core Skills Training, which is a 4 day residential event, undertaken in their own time. Cost for accommodation and the fees for the Core Skills Training will be met by the Warwickshire and West Mercia Community Rehabilitation Company.

It is essential that all candidates pass Core Skills Training before an offer of employment can be made.

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications
High level of numeracy and literacy (preferably GCSE standard or above)
/ Qualifications
NVQ Level 3 or 4 Criminal Justice or other relevant
Experience
It is essential that applicants have experience of working with offenders.
  • Ability to deliver material in accordance with a manual or written instructions
  • Working in the Criminal Justice field (paid or voluntary)
/ Experience
Working in caring/controlling/helping capacity
  • Already passed Core Skills Training

Mobility
  • Preparedness to travel
/ Mobility
Full driving licence
Knowledge
Knowledge of Probation Services Aims
  • Commitment to equal opportunities and non-discriminatory practices
  • Knowledge and understanding of accredited programmes
  • Knowledge and understanding of evidence-based practices with offenders
/ Knowledge
Knowledge of Criminal Justice System
Evidence of working in a non-discriminatory way

Skills

  • Effective team member
  • Able to organise own workload
  • Relate well to others
  • Work at a highly responsible level
  • Present self in public settings
  • Keep accurate records
  • Good written communications/presentation
  • Work in non-discriminatory way
/

Skills

  • Word processing
  • E mail use
  • Data bases

Qualities

  • Maturity and resilience
  • Commitment to working with offenders
  • Reliability and integrity
  • Willing to learn
  • Enthusiasm
  • People skills
  • Commitment and motivation to deliver accredited programmes
/

Qualities

JD PSO, Programmes / Offender Management Nov15