Job Description & Person Specification

1.JOB TITLE:Probation Service Officer

2. RESPONSIBLE TO:Senior Probation Officer or equivalent Line

Manager

3.PURPOSE:

To work with other service staff and partner agencies to assess and supervise service users in the community under the remit of the Community Rehabilitation Company. The cases managed by the CRC are primarily low to medium risk service users. The overall purpose is to contribute to the effective management of Service Users in accordance with KSSCRC policies in order to protect the public and reduce re-offending.

Cases will be allocated at a risk level that accords with KSS CRC policies and will take account of experience and training.

4.DUTIES:

4.1 / To be responsible for the management and supervision of individuals subject to Community Orders and Licences in accordance with national requirements and KSS CRC policies and procedures, exchanging information with other staff, the National Probation Service and other agencies, as required.
4.2 / To prepare breach reports and other written submissions in relation to case management issues as required.
4.3 / To assess individual risk and needs using OASys and other standard assessment tools. To take full account of victims and the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
4.4 / To formulate sentence plans that address service user risk and needs in accordance with sentence requirementsand resource availability.
4.5 / To establish and maintain effective liaison with intervention providers and external agencies to design and promote, refer to and deliver a range of services for service users to address criminogenic factors, e.g. training and employment, accommodation and substance misuse.
4.6 / To review the sentence plan and the risk management plan, in consultation with all relevant parties, to monitor progress and ensure it remains ‘fit for purpose’ and notify any significant change of risk to the Line Manager and other relevant parties
4.7 / To support Service Users to comply with orders and licences, taking enforcement action where necessary and in accordance with national requirements and KSS CRC policy and procedures.
4.8 / To demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and by challenging those which are anti-social.
4.9 / To enable and encourage service users to apply new learning and skills in their own environment, to consolidate change.
4.10 / To undertake a final evaluation on completion of supervision, with reference to the effectiveness of specific interventions and steps to reinforce community re-integration.
4.11 / To participate in performance monitoring and quality development activities as required.
4.12 / To work in accordance with the National Offender Management Service and KSS CRC policy and procedures, including the diversity policy and the principles of effective practice.
4.13 / To undertake the delivery of groupwork programmes as required.
4.14 / To use the computerised case management system, risk assessment tools and other IT systems as required.
4.15 / To maintain clear, comprehensive and accurate cases records and provide statistical information as required.
  1. OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Requirements of the post include, as and when required by the managers of the Service:

5.1 / To transfer to an alternative team or post within KSS CRC to meet business needs.
5.2 / To contribute to the training of other staff of the service and partner agencies, as required.
5.3 / To attend relevant meetings, as required and to represent KSS CRC and the probation service to other organisations.
5.4 / Participation in the KSS CRC training programme in accordance with individual, team and organisational objectives.
5.5 / Ability to undertake some evening/weekend work if required.
5.6 / Ability and willingness to travel throughout KSS CRC
5.7 / Undertake any other duties which are commensurate with the level and the nature of the post.
5.8 / Agree to be subject to relevant checks.

Note: The above mentioned duties are neither exclusive nor exhaustive and the postholder may be called upon to carry out such other appropriate duties as may be required within the grading level of this post.

These duties may, therefore vary from time to time without materially changing either the character or level of responsibility or grade.

March 2015

Job Description & Person Specification

PERSON SPECIFICATION

POSTProbation Service Officer

WORK BASEVarious

1.SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIESE = Essential D = Desirable

1.1 / Knowledge and experience of the work of the Criminal Justice System. / E
1.2 / Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. / E
1.3 / Ability to input and retrieve electronic data and maintain computer based information systems in an accurate and timely manner. / E
1.4 / Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. / E
1.5 / Ability to participate and contribute effectively as a team member. / E
1.6 / Ability to plan and conduct structured meetings with individuals or groups. / E
1.7 / Ability to contribute to the assessment and management of risk. / D
1.8 / Confident with the ability to exercise authority and reinforce boundaries in an appropriate manner. / E
1.9 / Good organisational and administration skills and the ability to meet deadlines. / E
1.10 / Ability to motivate others and facilitate learning in order to change attitudes and behaviour. / E
1.11 / Ability to achieve individual performance goals and/or contribute towards team and organisational targets. / E

2. PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

2.1 / Experience of working with groups or individuals in order to motivate and change behaviour. / D
2.2 / Experience of working with a variety of people who have experienced a range of social/personal difficulties. / E

3. QUALIFICATIONS

3.1 / Willingness to work towards NVQ Level 3 in Criminal Justice. / E
3.2 / Relevant Degree –
Criminology or Applied Criminology/Community Justice/Criminal Justice or Police Studies
A combined honours degree where at least 50% is in one of the above titles and combined with Social Science or Law will also be accepted as relevant / D
  1. OTHER

4.1 / Take responsibility for continuing self-development and participate in training and development activities. / E
4.2 / Ensure compliance with KSS CRC equal opportunity and diversity policies. / E
4.3 / Ensure compliance with appropriate legislation and KSS CRC policies and procedures / E
4.4 / Be free from any criminal conviction, which would conflict with the responsibilities of the post. / E
4.5 / Be able to deal with information on a confidential basis. / E

March 2015