SFO Reviewing and Investigations Manager

Working at the direction of the Head of Operational Function, the post holder will be responsible for managing formal serious further offence reviews and/or formal complaints investigations within the Division,

• To provide strategic operational leadership to a geographically dispersed specialist divisional team undertaking formal reviews and investigations


• To support the Head of Operational Function providing management and leadership within the National Probation Service (NPS) Division.


• To represent the Head of Operational Function with external agencies/stakeholders and staff as appropriate.


• The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position.


• May be required to participate in out of hours on call rota


Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:


• Manage and co-ordinate the work of a specialist divisional team undertaking formal reviews and investigations of Serious Further Offences and/or formal complaints in accordance with NPS policies and procedures


• Responsible for the management and professional development of staff within the team


• Ensure all formal complaints investigations and/or Serious Further Offence reviews within the Division are carried out in line with NPS standards and guidelines and to a good quality


• Ensure that all data is handled and stored in accordance with NPS and HMPPS instructions


• Conduct investigations/reviews in person when requested by the divisional senior management team in relation to high profile complaints/SFOs which present a reputational risk for NPS


• Ensure the learning from complaints and/or SFOs is communicated through guidance and briefings to senior managers and all relevant practitioners within the Division, and to all external stakeholders as required, in order to contribute to the professional development of divisional staff


• Provide advice and support on informal complaints, where necessary


• Analyse data trends to ensure all relevant performance targets are met and maintained


• Develop long term strategy for Serious Further Offences that meets the business needs


• Oversee the investigation of other investigations including child safeguarding reviews, domestic homicide reviews, MAPPA serious case reviews


• Develop and sustain effective working relationships with internal customers, key stakeholders and external agency partners in the Criminal Justice System and related bodies


• Provide operational support to the Head of Operational Function within relevant Probation Instruction criteria and rules


• Oversee the investigation of grievances, disciplinary matters and other internal staff investigations as required from time to time


• Under the guidance of the Head of Operational Function to take the lead on specific projects/portfolios


• Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes


• Carry out safeguarding children and safeguarding adult duties in accordance with the NPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies


• Work within the aims and values of NPS and HMPPS


The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the Job Holder., The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS' Flexible Working policy.


• Leadership


• Working Together


• Changing and Improving


• Delivering at Pace


• Communicating and Influencing


• Making Effective Decisions


Essential Experience


• Significant experience at middle manager level, substantial experience of managing staff, including performance management, training and coaching


• Experience of conducting employee relations investigations (e.g. disciplinary, capability, grievance)


• Experience of monitoring performance in area of responsibility against predetermined targets, setting local targets and effecting necessary improvements


• Experience of analysing, manipulating and presenting data on performance management


• Experience of managing and achieving organisational and cultural change


• Experience of conducting formal reviews and audits


• Knowledge of complaints and/or SFO process


• Experience of effective planning and deployment of available resources and staff to meet operational demands


• Successful track record of building relationships and working successfully with key internal and external stakeholders to deliver organisational targets and improve performance


• Evidence of preparing high level written reports to a good standard


• Experience of working under pressure and to tight deadlines


• Experience of Health and Safety and Equalities management


• Experience of implementing diversity policies and promoting best diversity practice


• Knowledge of the wider criminal justice system


• Experience of successfully managing relationships, including where there is conflict


• Evidence of ability to evaluate practice and provide a practice perspective on policy development


• Effective communication skills (verbal, presentational, listening and written)


• Strong interpersonal, negotiating and influencing skills to initiate and drive change


An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh

Technical requirements

Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice or a qualification which was recognised at the time of qualification by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007. The following qualifications gained in England and Wales were previously recognised as providing such eligibility:

- Diploma in Probation Studies
- Diploma in Social Work (with Probation option)
-CQSW (with Probation option)


• IT skills


Ability


• Ability to represent the service with external partners and stakeholders


• Ability to manage risk of harm and to undertake reviews of serious incidents


• Ability to ensure compliance with administrative and operational policies, procedures and business processes


• Ability to inspire and motivate others to achieve high working standards

Mandatory Eligibility Requirements, Changing and Improving - 250 word limit
Making Effective Decisions - 250 word limit
Leadership - 250 word limit
Communicating and Influencing - 250 word limit
Working Together - 250 word limit
Delivering at Pace - 250 word limit
Experience
Statement of Suitability - 1250 word limit
Technical Skills
this role require a qualification in probation - 250 word limit

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years' service, plus public holidays. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis

Pension

The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF). Please visit www.gmpf.org.uk for further information.

Please note: Any current Civil Servant who is a member of the PCSPS, by accepting an offer of employment to the National Probation Services will be opted out of the PCSPS and auto enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

Eligibility

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post

Support

• A range of 'Family Friendly' policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.


• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.


• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.


• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.


• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.


Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

• To Shared Service Connected Ltd (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);


• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);


• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)


The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team., Making Effective Decisions
Working Together
Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance.
Additional Assessment(s)
Presentation
Any candidate who has been assessed as being appointable to the role they applied for may be offered a similar, lower grade role, if one is available. Furthermore, any candidate who has just missed meeting the criteria for a particular role, may be appointed to a similar role at a lower grade if such a role is available, and if they have been assessed as meeting the criteria for the lower grade role. These appointments will also be made in merit order.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.