Overview
This is a permanent position for a Quality Development Officer (QDO) within the North East Probation Service Performance Team (based within the regional Performance & Quality Team).
The successful candidate will work closely with the Quality Development Manager and other QDOs undertaking the following work: Audit & Assurance Activity; Coaching & Mentoring; and Facilitation of Practice Briefings/Workshops. As this is a regional post, there is an expectation of regular travel to, and close working with, all Probation Delivery Units within the NE Region. Our Quality Development Team forms part of the wider Performance & Quality Team for the North East Probation Service. It consists of Quality Development Officers who undertake audit and assurance activity, coaching and mentoring and practice briefing/workshop facilitation. QDOs play a critical role in supporting effective practice and will work closely with colleagues within Courts and Sentence Management to support and enhance the quality of practice. The successful candidate will be line managed by the Quality Development Team Manager.
This is a specialist Probation Officer post, with responsibility to contribute to the development of excellence in the quality of work undertaken with offenders and victims in the National Probation Service (NPS). The post holder will be part of the Divisional Performance and Quality team and will work in partnership with divisional/local managers, practice tutor assessors and operational staff to promote high quality work through delivery of quality assurance and improvement activities including: audit and analysis, practice workshops, coaching and providing support to colleagues. The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position. The post holder must demonstrate a commitment to equality and inclusion and an understanding of their relevance to the work they do.
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties include the following (not exhaustive):
* Deliver quality assurance activities as part of the national effective practice programme, and review the impact of these activities on operational practice
* Deliver practice improvement workshops and briefings to POs and PSOs, and review the impact of these on practice
* Support the re-launch and deployment of Skills for Effective Engagement Development and Supervision (SEEDS)
* Undertake audits of key work, provide analysis and feedback to staff and contribute to local improvement and quality plans
* Develop audit and improvement activities in partnership with local managers based on local and divisional need and evidence from audits, inspections and case reviews
* Provide support to local managers in delivering improvement activities to staff in informal/formal capability processes; provide focussed 1:1 support to POs and PSOs involved in formal capability processes as agreed with line manager
* Plan and support quality improvement in their cluster/function in partnership with local managers
* Provide coaching and support to groups of staff whose roles are changing as agreed with local managers
* Play an integral role in the work of the divisional performance and quality team in implementing the national performance and quality programme
* Provide guidance and support to SPOs to undertake quality assurance work
* Respond to risk escalation requests raised by Community Rehabilitation Companies, determine risk level and decide on risk management (as endorsed by a manager)
* Carry out safeguarding children and safeguarding adult duties in accordance with NPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies
* Demonstrate and promote pro-social modelling by reinforcing pro-social behaviour and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes
* Work within the aims and values of NPS and HMPPS
The duties described are current but not exhaustive; reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level may be required. An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role in English (or Welsh where specified in Wales) is expected. The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from base location, MoJ sites and/or from home. Some roles may not be suitable for Hybrid Working; arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s).
For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location (which may include the nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office) and this will be discussed on completion of pre-employment checks. Some MoJ terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform.
Standard full-time working hours are 37 hours per week, excluding unpaid breaks. 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.
Essential Experience and Qualifications
* Evidence of undertaking good quality probation work
* Evidence of working collaboratively with others to improve quality
* Experience of working with a wide variety of people and communities who have experienced a range of social/personal difficulties
* Experience of working with individuals and groups to motivate and change offending behaviour
* Experience of analysing information and using it to design an action plan to meet specific goals
* Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/ Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice, or a recognised equivalent (e.g., Diploma in Probation Studies; Diploma in Social Work with Probation Option; CQSW with Probation Option)
* Evidence of undertaking quality assurance activity and providing feedback to others
Other requirements and information regarding qualification recognition and security checks, terms of service, and Civil Service reform are included in the original posting. The role may include national travel and requires safeguarding and confidentiality practices as appropriate. Details of salary, pension, training, networks, and eligibility will be discussed at offer stage.
Working Arrangements and Benefits
The MoJ offers a range of benefits including annual leave, pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), training opportunities, employee networks, and flexible working policies. Details will be provided during the recruitment process.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We are an equal opportunities employer. We adhere to Civil Service recruitment principles and provide reasonable adjustments during the application process and in the workplace for candidates who meet the minimum criteria.
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