Directorate of Children & Family Services

DIRECTORATE OF CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

YOUTH OFFENDING SERVICE

SENIOR PRACTITIONER

PO 5-8

£30,546 - £33,328

REF: REC 01587

Contents

1.Letter from the Human Resources Manager

2.The Council’s Vision and Objectives

3.Job Description

4.Person Specification

5.Conditions of Service

6. Information on Exempted Posts

7.Equal Opportunities and Diversity Strategy Leaflet is available to view on

8.Equality and Diversity Sub Groups

9.Application Form and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Dear Applicant

POST OF SENIOR PRACTITIONER

Exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act

Thank you for your enquiry about the post within Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council.

Please find enclosed further details about the post and an application form for you to complete and return by the 2 October 2009. Any potential applicant who wishes to find out more about Knowsley MBC can access our website at

Interviews are likely to take place within four weeks of the closing date. If you have not heard by then you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful. If you wish your application to be acknowledged, please enclose a stamped addressed envelope with your completed form.

The Council places great importance on maintaining high levels of attendance at work and all Directorates operate under well-established guidelines to monitor and control absence. If you are selected for interview the Council will, of course, be seeking references and your present or last employer will also be asked to give details of your sickness and attendance record over the last three years.

If due to a disability you require any assistance during the selection process please contact us in confidence, e.g. you may need a sign language interpreter, require an accessible interview room, or need help completing a written application [for example taped applications may be submitted by prior agreement] please contact the Recruitment and Employee Services Section on 0151 443 3509.

‘The Council is working jointly with the trade unions to implement a fair and equitable pay and grading structure in line with the 1997 Single Status Agreement. This will be achieved by reviewing every post within the Council through the job evaluation exercise which is currently being conducted. All posts are subject to the review and therefore advertised grades are provisional and will not be confirmed until the outcome of this exercise.

You should note that you are applying for posts within the authority on this basis.’

You should return your application to: Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council,

Human Resources and Development, PO Box 84, Ground Floor, Poplar House, Huyton, Knowsley, L36 9WU, or via email to:

I look forward to receiving your application and thank you for your interest in this post.

Yours sincerely

Jaci Dick

Human Resources Manager

*This pack is available in large print - please ask.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE / Senior Practitioner (Risk Management and Programmes)
GRADE / PO 5-8
DIRECTORATE / Children and Family Services
SECTION/TEAM / Youth Offending Service
ACCOUNTABLE TO / Operational Manager -

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

Under the supervision of a Youth Offending Service (YOS) Operational Manager and working as a member of the YOS Full Management Team, the Senior Practitioner will support the work of the YOS Case Management Team and the wider service to ensure high quality practice and performance in the areas of risk management, court processes, and programme development and delivery.

In addition to specialist areas of development, quality assurance and co-ordination, the Senior Practitioner will manage a small number of YOS practitioners and will hold a small caseload.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This is not a comprehensive list of all the tasks that may be required of the post holder. It is illustrative of the general nature and levels of responsibility of the work to be undertaken.

To undertake a lead role in specific areas of work within the YOS, which may include risk management, quality assurance, court processes and the Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme (ISSP).

To manage a small number of YOS practitioners, being responsible for their supervision, training, development and appraisal

To undertake quality assurance processes in relation to different aspects of the work of the YOS, including Pre Sentence Reports, assessment and case planning processes and programmes of intervention

To chair planning and review meetings for young people with specific levels of risk and requirements for intervention

To develop and review programmes and models of intervention for different types and levels of offending by young people, able to be delivered at different levels of risk and intensity

To promote the participation of young people and their families in youth justice and YOS processes and enable their views and feedback to be taken into account in the delivery and development of services

To participate in the Duty Management system, providing guidance and support to staff within the wider Youth Offending Service

To work flexibly in order to meet the requirements of the service including some evening and weekend working, for which time-off-in–lieu can be taken

To participate in the provision of support to staff working unsocial hours, including the Out Of Hours Duty Management Rota

To prepare reports on the progress of services and to make recommendations in order to inform their continuing improvement

To develop promotional materials in order to raise the profile of the YOS in a range of multi-agency environments and the wider community.

To ensure all practice is undertaken within the framework of Youth Justice Board Quality Standards, National Standards for Youth Justice, relevant Children’s Services policy and guidance, and YOS policy and guidance.

To attend and contribute to various meetings and service-wide planning and training events.

To undertake training programmes in order to address personal learning and development needs, in accordance with the Staff Development and Review Policy.

To promote and demonstrate a commitment to equality and diversity within the development and delivery of YOS services

To contribute to the protection of the public, taking particular account of policy guidance on the management of dangerous or high-risk offenders, including Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA), Prolific and other Priority Offenders (PPO) strategy and YOS Risk Management policy and procedures

To contribute to the safeguarding of vulnerable children and young people in accordance with Knowsley Safeguarding Children’s Board procedures and YOS Risk Management policy and procedures

To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grading of this post, as required by the Head of the Youth Offending Service

HEALTH AND SAFETY

To ensure suitable and sufficient risk assessments are carried out taking into account employees capabilities

PERSON SPECIFICATION

POST TITLE / Senior Practitioner / GRADE / PO 5 - 8
DIRECTORATE / Directorate of Children & Family Services / SECTION/TEAM / Youth Offending Service
CRITERIA /

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

/ * M.O.A
Skills, knowledge, experience etc
1 / Ability to embrace the values of KMBC / I
2 / Significant experience of working within youth justice services / A,I
3 / Experience of staff supervision within a youth justice setting / A,I
4 / Experience of multi-agency working / A,I
5 / Good knowledge of relevant children’s and criminal justice legislation, guidance and policy frameworks / A,I,P
6 / Experience and skills in the management of performance and quality / A,I,T
7 / Excellent assessment skills / A,I,T
8 / High level of understanding, skill and experience in assessment and management of risk / A,I,T
9 / Skills in planning, organisation and prioritisation / A,I,P
10 / Good oral and written communication skills / A,I,P

Qualifications

11 / Recognised professional qualification in social work or probation services / A
12 / Evidence of post-qualification training / A
Health and safety
13 / Ability to ensure health and safety requirements of Knowsley MBC are met / A,I,T
Personal attributes and circumstances
14 / Clear commitment to equality and diversity issues / A,IA
15 / Ability to work flexible hours and some unsocial hours / A,I
16 / Full driving licence or equivalent mobility / A

*METHOD OF ASSESSMENT (*M.O.A)

A = APPLICATION FORMC = CERTIFICATEE = EXERCISEI = INTERVIEW

P = PRESENTATIONT = TESTAC = ASSESSMENT CENTRE

DATE / APPROVED BY AUTHORISED MANAGER / DESIGNATION
10th September 2008 / Sue Cook / Children’s Services Manager (Targeted Services)
Where the post involves working with children, in addition to a candidate’s ability to perform the duties of the post, the interview will also explore issues relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, including:

Motivation to work with children and young people
Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people
Emotional resilience in working with challenging behaviours
Attitudes to use of authority and maintaining discipline

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

DIRECTORATE OF CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Post

/ Senior Practitioner

Grade

/ PO 5 - 8

General

/ The conditions in the National Joint Council for Local Authority Services (Green Book) will apply.

Hours of Work

/ 36 hours per week.

Salary

/ £30,546 to £33,328- plus out of hours duty payment

Annual Leave

Basic Leave is25days, rising to a maximum of 31 days with 10 years continuous Knowsley service.

Car User Status

/ Essential

Medical

/ The successful applicant will be required to complete a medical questionnaire and may also be required to undergo a medical examination.

Training

/ The Council is a recognised ‘Investor in People’ and encourages training and development for all employees.

Pension

/ You are automatically entered into the Local Government Pension Scheme, unless you elect not to join. Employees with contracts of employment of less than three months are not eligible to join the scheme. Contributions rates are dependant on salary as per the contribution rates shown below.

Childcare Vouchers

/ The Council is in partnership with a Childcare Voucher Provider which offers employees a salary sacrifice scheme. Further details are available from Humans Resources.

Disclosure

/ The post is subject to receipt of satisfactory disclosure. Declaration of a criminal record on offer of appointment will not necessarily be a bar to employment. You must ensure that you complete Section 8 of the application form. If you fail to do so your application will not be considered.

Contribution Rates

With effect from 1 April 2008, contribution rates will be on a sliding scale based upon a scheme member’s full time annual pensionable pay. Part time employees’ percentage contribution rates will be based upon the pro rata full time pensionable pay.

From 1 April 2009, the new contribution rates will be as follows:

TABLE 1

Band / Pensionable Pay range / Contribution Rate
1 / £0 - £12,600 / 5.5%
2 / £12,600.01 - £14,700 / 5.8%
3 / £14,700.01 - £18,900 / 5.9%
4 / £18,900.01 - £31,500 / 6.5%
5 / £31,500.01 - £42,000 / 6.8%
6 / £42,000.01 - £78,700 / 7.2%
7 / More than £78,700 / 7.5%

From 1 April 2008 for those employees who were paying 5%, the changes to contribution rates are as follows;

TABLE 2

Year Commencing / Contribution rate
1 April 2008 / 5.25%
1 April 2009 / 5.5%
1 April 2010 / 6.5%

EXEMPTED POSTS - CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU DISCLOSURE

Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council aims to promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. We welcome applications from diverse candidates.

Certain posts are subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check due to the nature of the work being undertaken, therefore all candidates who are successful at interview to one of these posts will be asked to complete an application form for a Disclosure check before the appointment is confirmed.

Whilst the Council supports the rehabilitation of ex-offenders it is obliged in the recruitment of all employees to utilise an Exemption Order of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 in order to ensure safe recruitment to posts where working with children, vulnerable adults or other positions of trust are involved. These are referred to as Regulated Posts.

If you apply for a post that is Regulated and subject to a disclosure you will be advised in the recruitment Job pack.

If applicable you are required to disclose convictions on the recruitment Application Form under Section 8. Unless the nature of the work demands it, you will not be asked to disclose convictions that are `spent` under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

If you are successful at interview you will be asked to complete an application form for a Disclosure check before the appointment is confirmed. Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council is registered with the Criminal Records Bureau to request Standard and Enhanced Disclosures on cautions, reprimands and final warnings, as well as convictions. We will process the application and pay the charge to the Criminal Records Bureau.

Applicants should be aware that having a conviction or a record of some type of unacceptable behaviour would not necessarily bar you from employment in Regulated Posts, as any decision to employ will be considered on the individual circumstances of each case.

If you are in doubt about what you should declare you can ask advice from a member of the Human Resources and Development Department on 0151 443 3509.

Further information about the Criminal Records Bureau, including how information is assessed in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 can be found on their website:

SAFEGUARDING

Where the post involves working with children, in addition to a candidate’s ability to perform the duties of the post, the interview will also explore issues relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, including:

Motivation to work with children and young people
Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people
Emotional resilience in working with challenging behaviours
Attitudes to use of authority and maintaining discipline

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY SUB-GROUPS

Knowsley Council has four established sub groups to support the equality and diversity agenda. The groups are the Black and Minority Workers’ Group, the Knowsley Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Forum, the Disability Workers’ Group and the recently formed Women’s Operational Workers’ Group.

The groups are supported by the Corporate Equality and Diversity Manager, Paul Peng who can be contacted on 443 3073.

Knowsley’s Black and Minority Workers Group (KBMWG)
The group’s vision is to ‘promote respect and value diverse cultures within Knowsley’, and they are committed to challenging all forms of discrimination, racial harassment and bullying to promote race equality in employment and in the delivery of services.Through development days, members of the KBMWG have established and discussed terms of reference and decided on ways to be involved with the council corporately.
Contact: Keith Gabbidon-Thompson 443 4466
Knowsley’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Forum
This group aims to promote the council positively as an employer which is supportive of the group and its members.
The group will act as a consultation forum when new policies and strategies are formed and they hope to influence change. Through this group it is planned that a two-way process for exchanging ideas, problem solving and information sharing will be formed with their main aim to raise awareness and reduce discrimination within the workplace.
Contact: Vee Wright 443 5377 or Sean Donnelly 443 5331,
Disability Workers’ Group
The Disability Workers’ Group meet to discuss issues surrounding disability within Knowsley. The council recognises that people are disabled by society and not their impairment.
The group advises on all policy and procedure, whether related to employment or service delivery for the council and the Primary Care Trust. They also provide a networking opportunity across the groups to discuss common issues and link with similar employee forums in other local authorities.
Contact: Margie Hill 443 3098 or Peter Mowat
Women’s Operational Workers Group
The Women’s Operational Workers Group first meeting was in January 2006 when the Terms of Reference for the group was agreed and an Action Plan put in place. Within the action plan are objectives to deliver Focus Groups to gain women’s views on topics/issues they have identified at the annual Celebration of International Women’s Day. The group’s primary focus will be the consideration of gender equality issues relative to every aspect of employment and service delivery.
As with the other three groups there will be representation at the Corporate Equality and Diversity Strategy Group meetings. The advice and guidance which this forum is anticipated to contribute will be a valuable asset to the Equality and Diversity agenda of Knowsley council, particularly as women make up 63.9% of the total work force.
Contact: Maire Gollock 443 5847 orChris Kneale 443 3175