We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.
Overview of the job
This is an operational job in an establishment.
Summary
The job holder will be a Prison Officer who will have additional specialist training in Offender Management processes to carry out this job.
They will supervise and support prisoners in a secure custodial setting, ensuring all services are provided to a high standard and that security and control are maintained at all times.
They will also be deployed as a Supervising Officer where required.
This is an operational job with no line management; however they will have supervisory responsibilities for staff.
Responsibilities, Activities and Duties
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
• Interview prisoners on arrival within prescribed timescales, set and review targets with prisoners and update case management notes on the prison database.
• Use the Offender Assessment System (OASys) to identify risks and manage offenders appropriately.
• Leads the sentence planning meeting in order to prepare appropriate plans.
• Coordinate and complete information for Parole Board reports and hearings.
• Liaises with prisoners and other departments and agencies to action the sentence plan, gather and exchange information and understand/investigate conflicting opinions on prisoner progress.
• Check for accuracy of information concerning initial categorisation and re- categorisations ensuring assessments are correct and all risks have been covered.
• Encourage and support prisoner to participate in education, interventions and workshops as defined within the sentence plan. Develops strategies to assist prisoners to overcome reluctance to attend.
• Liaise and contribute with probation service and case workers regarding Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL), Home Detention Curfew (HDC) and transfers to other prisons. Make recommendations to Governor on suitability for early release. Inform relevant agencies of release dates and address of prisoners considered a risk on release.
• Engage with Indeterminate Sentence Prisoners (ISP) within the specific timescales as required and complete relevant paperwork.
• Highlight any prisoner who gives significant concerns by their behaviour to the Offender Management Unit manager or Orderly Officer. Concerns may be for a variety of issues for example any prisoner who has presented in the past risk of suicide or self harm, or if there are any outstanding concerns with regards to victims or further offences and racial harassment.
• Send relevant pre-course information to all those attending review.
• Arrange dates, venues and special needs arrangements for the Post Programme Progress Reviews.
• Chair post programme review in accordance with guidelines.
• Produce and distribute post programme review minutes, ensuring these minutes reflect compliance with audit baselines.
• Obtain further information if required from outside agencies to complete a comprehensive OASys report.
• Contribute to and attend Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) Boards and work with all relevant external agencies to protect the public when releasing prisoners under MAPPA.
• Liaise with the Foreign National department or UK Border Agency regarding foreign national prisoners as appropriate.
• Complete lifer and ISP paperwork as directed by manager in compliance with standards and set timescales.
• If working in a YOI or Juvenile estates facilitate multi-agency planning meetings which are inclusive of Young People and their parents/carers to assess needs and risks posed by the Young Person to him/herself or others during custody and upon release into the community.
Undertake other tasks including:
• Supervise, manage and control prisoners decently, lawfully, safely and securely whilst carrying out all activities.
• Exercise the powers of a Constable.
• Conduct searches on prisoners, staff and visitors as required.
• Undertake external escorts.
• Undertakes ‘first on scene’ incident response.
• Maintain and update systems in line with local agreements.
• Prepare relevant documentation for managers for verification/quality checking purposes.
• Attend and contribute to relevant meetings as required.
• Complete and update Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan.
• Establish, develop and maintain professional relationships with prisoners and staff.
• Understand and comply with national/local policies and legislation.
When required act as a Supervising Officer (SO) as per the following job descriptions:
• SO : Safe, Decent and Secure / YP
• SO : Operations / YP
• SO : Special Unit
• SO : Category A Escorts
• SO : Nights / YP
• SO : Regime
• SO : PEI
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.
An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.
Behaviours
• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
Essential Experience
• Must be competent in custodial procedures, including dynamic risk assessments.
Technical requirements
• Successful completion of POELT and probationary period.
• Must have Custodial Care National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) 3.
• Must be trained in restraint techniques.
• Must successfully complete OASys for assessors and Offender Supervisor Foundation training once in post, and then other specialist training as required.
• When transferring to a Young Persons establishment the job holder will be required to successfully undertake an assessment to demonstrate suitability to work with Young People.
Hours of Work (Unsocial Hours) Allowances
37 hour working week (standard).
HMPPS Staff on closed pay structures only: Additional Conditioned Hours Pensionable (ACHP)
Staff moving from a closed 39 hour pay structure will be eligible for the two protected pensionable additional committed hours (ACHP). They will work a 39 hour week consisting of the standard 37 hour week and a further 2 additional hours (ACHP) paid at plain time pensionable rate.
Unsocial Hours Working:
This role requires working regular unsocial hours and a 17% payment . Unsocial hours are those hours outside 0700 - 1900hrs Monday to Friday and include working evenings, nights, weekends and Bank/Public holidays.
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