Senior Probation Officer - Advertised on behalf on Cumbria and Lancashire CRC

Job Introduction

Are you interested in working directly with service users?  Are you interested in playing an important part in changing lives for a safer Cumbria & Lancashire?

Cumbria & Lancashire CRC are currently recruiting for a Senior Probation Officer (Band 5) based at Accrington.

If you want to join an innovative, creative and high performing organisation, we offer challenging and rewarding roles and the opportunity to make a positive contribution to reducing reoffending in Cumbria & Lancashire. We offer excellent opportunities for personal and professional development and are committed to supportive induction, appraisal and supervision.

Role Responsibility

• Initiate or implement changes to develop service delivery in line with effective practice principles within the resources at their disposal.
• Manage and support practice across court work, community orders and pre and post release 
• Develop partnerships within the community and criminal justice system. Engage in effective liaison and joint working.
• Implement Lancashire Probation Trust’s quality standards and the Trust’s Quality Framework within their area of responsibility ensuring monitoring and compliance with national standards
• Oversee and develop safe working practices within their area of responsibility including the protection of the public in risk assessment management and the health and safety of staff through the implementation and monitoring of area policy and procedure. 
• Manage the resources under their control which could include allocated budgets; monitoring contracts; complying with financial regulations and reporting procedures.
• Prepare an annual team plan and review, ensuring the effective allocation of work and efficient use of resources.
• Understand the relevance of information systems and the importance of submitting regular monitoring information on time

• Participate in, lead, convene and chair team and other meetings, including project teams, multi-agency meetings and in partnership with other organisations in the community.
• Attend and contribute to LDU and other leaders meetings. 
• Work closely with other Middle and Senior Leaders to ensure consistency of delivery of practice across the organisation.
• Undertake  internal or external lead responsibilities as agreed by the Assistant Chief Executive
• Promote the equality of treatment and anti-discriminatory practice to all service users.
• Lead, supervise and appraise staff to agree performance objectives. Develop work plans for relevant staff and hold them to account for delivery identifying appropriate development opportunities
• Proactively manage staff including attendance, health and safety, equality, employee relations and legislative requirements are followed
• Undertake investigations into employee relations issues, serious further offences and offender complaints as required

The Ideal Candidate

Essential

• CQSW, DipSW, DipPS or equivalent
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with a wide range of people and all levels.
• An ability to retrieve information, prepare and interpret financial and statistical and performance information both manual and computerised.
• Ability to manage, lead, motivate and develop individuals across the area to ensure planned implementation of initiatives.
• Problem solving skills
• An ability to prioritise own work and work of others to achieve targets
• Experience  of Offender Management – court work, community orders and pre and post release.
• Experience of managing change to achieve results
• Experience of developing and managing staff to improve performance e.g. PQF  supervision
• Knowledge and understanding of computerised information systems.

Desirable

• Management Qualification
• Experience of using statistical information and data to achieve performance targets and to produce reports.
• Experience of working with partnerships and external agencies.
• Experience of interventions (programmes, approved premises, prisons)

Package Description

Band 5 starting salary £35,024 per annum

37 hours per week, 27 days holiday + 8 bank holidays, defined contribution pension scheme, company sick pay, group discount scheme.

There is an expectation that operational staff work some evenings and weekends to enable offenders to be supervised without jeopardising their employment.

About the Company

The role of Cumbria & Lancashire CRC is to rehabilitate service users, reduce reoffending and protect the public and we are one of six CRCs operated by Sodexo Justice Services in the UK.  We work with offenders both in the community and in custody to deliver the sentence of the court, to rehabilitate them and to provide a range of programmes and interventions to turn their lives around.  We deliver effective offender management and rehabilitation services to low and medium risk offenders and our highly skilled staff work in a range of disciplines to make a real difference.  Our aim is to create a better future for the people we work  with - offenders, victims and their families and local communities.  We are proud to have strong relationships with other criminal justice agencies, local authorities, health trusts, employment and training providers, and work with contracted partners to enhance delivery to our service users. 

We serve the counties from the 6 major towns: Preston, Accrington, Carlisle, Barrow, Blackpool, Workington.  Cumbria & Lancashire CRC is  an Equal Opportunities employer. All applicants are considered on the basis of suitability for the post, irrespective of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age or religion.