Region: North East
Closing Date: 02-Jul-2026
Business Unit: PDU County Durham and Darlington (2021)
Post Type: Permanent
Number of jobs available: 1
Reserve List: 12 Months
Job ID: 18969
Job Summary
The Integrated Offender Management (IOM) Senior Probation Officer provides leadership, coordination and assurance for the delivery of IOM across County Durham and Darlington, ensuring consistent, high‑quality practice for identified IOM cohorts. The post supports effective partnership working with police, local authorities and commissioned services, promotes best practice, and provides operational oversight to drive improved outcomes for individuals subject to IOM arrangements.
Responsibilities
- Provide effective management and leadership to the team
- Ensure quality delivery of good practice and team performance improvement within policy and national standards
- Deploy staff resources and interventions cost effectively and provide best value in terms of budget control
- Ensure staff meet the requirements of the NPS’ contract with HMPPS, Community Rehabilitation Companies and local business plans
- Analyse performance data to maximise LDU/team performance and deliver organisational aims
- Manage staff development, underperformance, attendance, health & safety, employee relations and diversity matters fairly and objectively
- Ensure offender managers manage risk appropriately and meet public protection standards and targets
- Contribute to public protection through multi‑agency arrangements and individual casework review, discussion and feedback
- Promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement to service delivery
- Manage financial resources for the area of responsibility and authorise expenditure within limits
- Lead work with partners and key stakeholders and represent the NPS as appropriate
- Facilitate effective communication between the LDU/Operational Unit management team and internal and external partners
- Play an active part in the corporate management of the NPS as a member of the LDU/Operational Unit Management Team
- Undertake specific areas of responsibility delegated by the Head of Operational Function
- Demonstrate pro‑social modelling skills and challenge anti‑social behaviour and attitudes
- Carry out safeguarding children duties per statutory responsibilities and agency policies
- Work within the aims and values of NPS and HMPPS
Behaviours
- Working Together
- Developing Self and Others
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Leadership
Qualifications
Essential Experience
- Substantial experience with a proven record of good practice in a variety of settings, including offender risk assessment and management, as a Probation Officer or within another criminal justice agency
- Understanding of the role of the Probation Service in the Criminal Justice System and in multi‑disciplinary settings
- Knowledge of factors influencing victim engagement
- Experience of risk management and assessment, including multi‑agency procedures
- Evidence of ability to evaluate practice and provide practice perspectives on policy development
- Experience of working under pressure and meeting demanding deadlines
- Experience of working flexibly as part of a team to achieve performance targets
- Experience of effective administration and information systems
- Able to manage and support change and drive improvements in quality and efficiency
- Well developed IT skills, including interpretation and application of performance reports
- Ability to champion diversity and inclusiveness internally and externally
- Ability to implement health and safety policies
Technical Requirements
- Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma or Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice
- Or a recognised qualification at the time of qualification by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007, including Diploma in Probation Studies, Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option) and CQSW (with Probation Option)
Eligibility
- UK nationals
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries with the right to work in the UK
- Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members who have made a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the EUSS
- Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31‑December‑2020
- Turkish nationals and certain family members of Turkish nationals with the accrued right to work in the Civil Service
Benefits
- Annual leave: 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years of service (pro‑rata for part‑time and job share posts)
- National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund
- Access to extensive training and development opportunities
- Employee‑run networks for minority ethnic origin, disabilities, caring responsibilities, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees
- Family‑friendly policies, including reduced hours, job share, and flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens
Working Arrangements & Working Hours
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, other MoJ sites and / or from home. The role can only be worked in the UK. Standard full‑time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding unpaid breaks. Part‑time, flexible and job‑sharing working patterns are considered where they meet the demands of the role and business needs.
Salary & Recruitment
New entrants will be placed at the entry point salary for the advertised band. Existing Civil Servants will have their salary calculated in accordance with the Department’s pay on transfer / pay on promotion rules. The position currently advertises without VISOR Vetting to enable appointment to take place as soon as possible; VISOR vetting will be required to complete in due course.
Recruitment Process
Applications are assessed via CV/Work History and a Statement of Suitability. The interview stage includes an assessment of behaviours and technical questions. This role requires a standard DBS check and the use of artificial intelligence in the application must be truthful and original.
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