Head of Service (Offender Management Unit)
- Full-time
- Contract type: Permanent
- Department: Justice
- Compensation: from GBP 47,950 – yearly
At Catch22, we are proud of our reputation as a modern and progressive employer. Our 1,300 colleagues and 300 volunteers work at every stage of the social welfare cycle, supporting over 60,000 individuals from cradle to career. Our work builds a better society – one where everyone has good people around them, a purpose, and a good place to live. Read our latest Annual Review and Voice from the Frontline summary here.
In Justice, we work with young people and adults in custody and in the community, providing a range of services including offender management and resettlement, veterans in custody, victim services, gangs work and youth justice.
Catch22 is seeking an exceptional Head of Service to lead our Offender Management Unit (OMU) and Gangs & Violence Reduction services at HMP Thameside.
This is a senior leadership opportunity within a busy Category B resettlement prison in South‑East London. You will provide strategic and operational oversight of the OMU, ensuring high‑quality, contractually compliant delivery aligned with HMPPS policy frameworks, public protection standards and organisational policies & procedures.
Reporting to the Assistant Director, you will drive performance, governance, and service innovation, ensuring key performance targets and audit requirements (including HMIP inspections) are met. Acting as the ViSOR (HMPPS database) lead for the establishment, you will oversee offender flows, inter‑prison transfers, and compliance processes.
You will work closely with prison leadership, Serco, HMPPS, and a wide range of internal and external partners to deliver impactful offender management services. A key part of this opportunity is leading and developing high‑performing teams, including a Deputy Head of Service and OMU Coordinators, creating a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
This opportunity also contributes to business development, supporting tender activity, and identifying opportunities to expand Catch22’s custodial services and impact in society.
We are looking for a confident, resilient leader who thrives in complex environments and is committed to improving outcomes for people in custody.
PQIP qualified and/or OASys trained
Significant leadership experience within custodial or criminal justice settings
Strong understanding of offender rehabilitation models, risk management, and safeguarding
Proven experience managing high‑risk individuals and high‑performing teams
Ability to operate strategically while maintaining strong operational oversight
Excellent communication, analytical, and IT skills
Experience leading audit preparation and performance frameworks
Those interested in applying for this opportunity should review the Job Description & Person Specification to find out more. If you have any questions about the role or recruitment process, please see our contact information on the Candidate Help Page. Please use reference REF3854O in your message so that we can identify the opportunity.
When applying please be cautious over the answers you provide. If you select “NO” to the screening question regarding Right to Work in the UK, your application will automatically be closed.
Contract: Permanent
Hours & work pattern: Full time, 38 hours per week.
Salary: from £47,950
Location: HM Prison Thameside, Griffin Manor Way, London SE28 0FJ
Closing Date: 1630 on 11th of March 2026. Catch22 reserves the right to withdraw the vacancy at any time, for any reason before the stated closing date.
Screening: Successful admission to post subject to enhanced DBS check, HMPPS vetting check, and employer Right To Work in the UK check. The post‑holder must have right to work in the UK. Catch22 does not currently provide a licence to sponsor visas but please see this register to see those that do.
To Apply: Please provide your CV and cover letter, along with the completion of the screening questions to express your interest in this opportunity. Please note, in the interest of safer recruitment and ensuring that applicants are a right fit for the role, submitted applications must contain a CV, satisfactory responses to the screening questions, and information detailing interest in the role, to be considered for this position.
Use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) should not be used to exaggerate skills & experiences, create generic responses that are not unique to the individual, and for any assessments used by the Hiring Team to measure an individual’s natural abilities.
Catch22’s Commitment to Opportunity & Progression
At Catch22 we are proud of our commitment in supporting people develop in their careers and progress in our organisation. In 2024, within our Justice Hub, we have 68% of those in management roles that originally joined Catch22 in the frontline workforce and some worked across a number of roles and Leadership positions before joining management. This allows us to have a highly experienced management group and provides development opportunities for those in our much valued front‑line.
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Social Media Search
Please note, we may conduct an online search as part of our due diligence checks for successful candidate(s). This will involve a search of all publicly available information online and in social media.
Vetting Requirements
This role is subject to the satisfactory completion of relevant pre‑employment checks, which may include HMPPS vetting, NPPV, or other role‑specific security clearances.
Any offer of employment will be conditional upon the successful outcome of these checks. Where clearance is not granted, or is subsequently withdrawn, Catch22 reserves the right to withdraw the offer of employment.
Catch22 Justice requests no contact from agencies or media sales
Catch22 is committed to rigorous safeguarding and safer recruitment practices; ensuring that every individual within the organisation has been safely and appropriately checked.
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