23575 - Approved Premises Manager (SPO) - Braley House (Full-time)

Ministry of Justice • Worcester, MA

18d • Hybrid

About The Position

This is a management role within the National Probation Service (NPS), responsible for managing an Approved Premises (AP) and the practice of its staff. The postholder oversees the effective operation of the AP and the management of risks posed by residents who have offended, while helping maintain a safe environment for staff, residents, the public and the premises.

The manager provides leadership, supervises staff, monitors team performance and ensures compliance with NPS strategy, policy and national standards. The role includes working with partners and stakeholders, contributing to public protection, overseeing delegated financial and operational resources, and responding to concerns from neighbours and the local community. The postholder also participates in an out-of-hours standby rota and may support other teams or functions during periods of absence.

Requirements

• Substantial experience with a proven record of good practice in a variety of settings, including offender risk assessment and management, as a Probation Officer or in another criminal justice agency or related work context.
• Experience of risk management and assessment.
• Ability to implement health and safety policies.
• Experience working flexibly as a team member to achieve performance targets.
• Experience contributing to effective administration and information systems.
• Demonstrable achievements in managing or supporting change and improving quality and efficiency.
• Experience proactively championing diversity and inclusion internally and externally.
• Ability to evaluate practice.
• Ability to provide a practice perspective on policy development.
• Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice, or a qualification recognised at the time by the Secretary of State for Justice under Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007. Previously recognised England and Wales qualifications listed include Diploma in Probation Studies, Diploma in Social Work with Probation Option, or CQSW with Probation Option.
• IT skills, including the ability to interpret and apply performance reports.
• Ability to fulfil the spoken aspects of the role confidently in English.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective management and leadership to the team.
• Ensure good-practice delivery and improve team performance in line with policy and national standards.
• Deploy team resources efficiently and ensure staff meet NPS, HMPPS, CRC and local business-plan requirements.
• Use performance data to evaluate practice, improve team performance and deliver organisational aims.
• Manage staff development, underperformance, attendance, health and safety, employee relations and diversity matters, making fair and objective decisions.
• Ensure AP staff manage resident risk appropriately and meet public-protection standards and targets.
• Contribute to public protection through multi-agency arrangements and individual casework review, discussion and feedback.
• Ensure staff manage residents’ self-harm, wellbeing and social-care needs, and provide first aid when necessary.
• Promote innovation and continuous improvement in service delivery.
• Manage financial resources delegated by the AP Area Manager.
• Lead work with partners and stakeholders, represent the NPS as appropriate, and facilitate effective communication with internal and external partners.
• Respond to concerns from neighbours and the local community.
• Undertake standby duties and participate in the out-of-hours rota, responding to issues as appropriate.
• Ensure effective operation of delegated staffing, facilities and estates contracts.
• Participate in the corporate management of the NPS as a member of the AP Management Team.
• Carry out safeguarding duties for children and adults in accordance with statutory responsibilities and agency policies.
• Undertake specific responsibilities delegated by the Area Manager and other appropriate duties commensurate with the post.
• Model and reinforce pro-social behaviour and attitudes, and challenge anti-social behaviour and attitudes.
• Work in accordance with the aims and values of the NPS and HMPPS.

Benefits

• Annual leave of 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years’ service, plus public holidays.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund.
• Extensive training and development opportunities.
• Opportunity to join employee-run networks that provide advice and support and convey employees’ views to senior management.
• Family-friendly policies, including opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on goods and services.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
• Additional payments for out-of-hours work.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager