The post holder will support a number of establishments across the South West region and therefore the successful candidate will be expected to travel regularly across the South West region. This role is open to both operational and non-operational staff and offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience in assurance, scrutiny and organisational improvement. The successful candidate will be responsible for undertaking audits, mock inspections and other assurance activities, providing constructive challenge and support to establishments, identifying and sharing good practice, and assisting sites to deliver sustainable improvements through coaching, guidance and developmental activity.
Candidates are welcomed to contact the Group Safety Lead, Sheena Prout for further information.
Those working in the HMPPS Group Safety Teams play a significant role in making prisons safer for all those who live and work in them by reducing deaths, self-harm and violence.
The post will be part of the HMPPS Group Safety Team who are responsible for providing support and assurance to establishments to deliver safer prisons, delivering work consistent to the direction set out by the Prison Group Director and HQ. They will be an integral link for establishments, the PGD and HQ in all matters associated with this essential work.
The post holder will serve a number of establishments within the group and therefore a willingness to travel is required.
This is a non-operational role which can be carried out by either non-operational or an operational member of staff.
The role is to work collaboratively with establishments within the prison group to ensure the best possible delivery of prison safety policies and practice. This includes providing support, guidance, training and assurance across all elements of the Group Safety Strategy and Establishment Safety Strategies. In summary the post holder will:
· Provide practical support directly to establishments in the group on safety (preventing and reducing deaths, self-harm, violence and use of force in prisons).
· Provide direct support to establishments to implement and embed recommendations from Operational and System Assurance Group (OSAG) audits, HMIP, PPO recommendations.
· Identify learning and good practice from establishments in the group and nationally and support other establishments to benefit from shared learning.
· Provide guidance on national policy.
· Support establishments in all safety related training.
· Support establishments to embed process to ensure correct data reporting of violence, self-harm and use of force.
· Work with relevant stakeholders to ensure joined up effective working within the group.
· Provide quality assurance in ACCT process and management of risks related to suicide and self-harm reduction, violence, harmful behaviour groups and self isolated prisoners.
· Take responsibility for all aspects of UOF including completion of paperwork, debriefs and support establishments within the group where UOF is concerned.
· Be a SPOC within group for the introduction of PAVA, Rigid bar handcuffs and SPEAR.
· Support establishments in producing a restraint minimisation strategy.
· Line management responsibility for Band 4 Safety Analyst.
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
Establishment Safety in Custody Delivery & Planning
In the interests of promoting safety outcomes for all, support from Group Safety Teams is available to private sector establishments as well as PSP Prisons. For all prison establishments, the job holder will:
· Establish influential working relationships with establishment staff responsible for the delivery of prison safety.
· Provide support to staff and managers on improving safety in all work streams to include reducing and preventing deaths, self-harm, violence and use of force.
· Support delivery of the Group and establishment safety strategies.
· Work collaboratively with other group support teams and leads.
· Support establishments to identify and share good practice and implement in all areas which affect prisoner safety. · Provide establishments with helpful and constructive challenge and support on the effective application of policy and defensible decisions taken by establishments.
· To guide the use of available data and quality assurance tools to enable establishments to understand what is driving violence, self-harm and use of force and how effective their safety arrangements are and what further support is required.
· Assist establishments in strengthening effective collaborative working with their local Healthcare providers and all other external providers in order to take a whole prison approach to improving safety.
· Support the Group Safety Lead in co-ordinating information linked to the mitigation of risks and issues arising from deaths and incidents of serious assault and serious self-harm. This analysis should capture quick learning as required to develop better understanding and good practice.
· Support the Group Safety Lead by working to develop awareness of local protocols at each establishment for learning from deaths and incidents of serious assault and serious self-harm, and that action is being taken to respond to recommendations from internal reviews, HMIP, PPO and Operational and System Assurance Group audit reports.
· To support the development of establishment Training Needs Analysis to ensure that key safety training is included and to provide support for the delivery of essential safety training when requested.
· Support the Group Safety Lead in providing assurance for the PGD on delivery of safety in establishments, providing clear evidence of how effectively governance, safety initiatives and practice is managed within each establishment.
· Support delivery of HMPPS priorities and service-wide activities on safer custody.
· Contribute to the delivery of Group safety meetings to discuss issues, trends and learning.
· Take responsibility for all aspects of UOF including completion of paperwork, debriefs and support establishments within the group were UOF is concerned.
· Be a SPOC within group for the introduction of PAVA, Rigid bar handcuffs and SPEAR.
· Support establishments in producing a restraint minimisation strategy.
· Coordinate group level assurance around the governance of Use of Force and Segregation in each establishment.
· Support establishments in the delivery of effective Early Days processes.
· Support the effective delivery of safe, decent and just practice, policy and culture in each establishment.
· Devise innovative solutions to local safety challenges and work with local teams to implement and embed.
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.
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. 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.
If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff.
The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.
Benefits
Annual Leave
-The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case.
Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays
-You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays. These hours are added to your annual leave allowance. There is a requirement to work some public and bank holidays subject to your shift pattern and the operational needs of the establishment
Pension
-The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
Work Life Balance
HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements. Work life balance provides greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wherever managers and establishments can accommodate requests to do so. HMPPS offers flexible working subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period and NVQ
Season Ticket Advance
-After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer-period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work
Childcare Vouchers
For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers
Training
HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including areas such as Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti Bullying Programmes
-There are opportunities to access promotion programmes and HMPPS provides a variety of training appropriate to individual posts
-All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles
Eligibility
-All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post
-All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS
-All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which the HMPPS considers to be racist
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos
Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Planand the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
A Great Place to Work for Veterans
The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
Civil Service Nationality Rules
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
Reserve list
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.
If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
Please quote the job reference
HMPPS
If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
Please quote the job reference 21237
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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