Full job descriptionGeneral InformationSalary

£51,203 - £56,111

Working Pattern

Full Time

Vacancy Approach

External

Location

Blackpool, Lancaster

Region

North West

Closing Date

11-Sep-2026

Business Unit

PDU North West Lancashire (2021)

Post Type

Permanent

Civil Service Grade

Other

Number of jobs available

1

Reserve List

12 Months

Job ID

21249
Descriptions & requirementsJob description
Overview of the job

Working at the direction of the Head of Operational Function the post holder will be deployed to a variety of roles in order to provide strategic support.
Summary

To support the Head of LDU Cluster providing management and leadership within the National Probation Service (NPS) Local Delivery Unit (LDU).

To represent the Head of LDU Cluster with external agencies/stakeholders and staff as appropriate.

The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position. May be required to participate in out of hours on call rota.
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

Senior Operational Support Manager may be required to undertake any combination, or all, of the duties and responsibilities as directed by the Head of Operational Function as set out below. .
*Cluster operational lead on caseload segmentation issues such as Child Sexual Exploitation, Guns and Gangs, Integrated Offender Management etc.
*Operational support to the Head of Cluster within relevant Probation Instruction criteria and rules such as Recall, High Risk of Serious Harm Case Transfers, etc.
*Providing support to the Head of Cluster within the relevant Probation Instruction criteria and rules such as, grievance, discipline, capability, complaints, etc.
*Responsible for the professional development of cluster staff
*Responsible for developing and deploying the Cluster Training Needs Analysis
*Ensure effective cluster employee recruitment and induction
*Act as cluster lead for performance & quality
*Act as cluster lead for audits and inspections
*Operational support to the Head of Cluster in completing reviews and delivery of action plans such as Domestic Homicides, Serious Further Reviews, Serious Case Reviews, etc.
*Responsible for the management of the Business Manager and the administrative support functions within the cluster
*Under the guidance of the Head of LDU Cluster; represent the NPS in local strategic partnerships and ensure appropriate representation within wider partnership frameworks in line with statutory responsibilities and operational policy
*Participate in the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) locally in conjunction with other responsible authorities including the chairing of MAPPA level 3 meetings
*In the absence of the Head of LDU Cluster to make decisions and provide advice on the management of offenders where senior management authorisation or involvement is necessary e.g. authorising the recall of offenders to prison
*Operational support to the Head of cluster in the management of complaints within the cluster and direct involvement in complaint resolution where necessary
*Under the guidance of the Head of LDU Cluster to take the lead on specific divisional or cluster projects/portfolios including Equality and Diversity, Reward and Recognition, etc.
*Operational support to the Head of cluster in cluster compliance with Health and Safety legislation.
*Senior Management responsibility for estates, buildings and maintenance activities within the cluster
*Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes
*Carry out safeguarding children and safeguarding adult duties in accordance with the NPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies
*Work within the aims and values of NPS and HMPPS
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post at present and are not exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alteration sand additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under job evaluation and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.
Behaviours
*Leadership
*Making Effective Decisions
*Working Together
*Delivering at Pace
*Communicating and Influencing
*Managing a Quality Service
*Changing and Improving
Essential Experience
*Significant experience at middle manager level, including the management of staff
*Experience of monitoring performance in area of responsibility against predetermined targets, setting local targets and effecting necessary improvements
*Experience of budgetary control incl. procurement
*Experience of managing relationships incl. working with key local agencies and stakeholders
*Evidence of preparing high level written reports to a good standard
Technical requirements

A qualification in one of the following areas:
*Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice.
*Or, a qualification which was recognised at the time of qualification by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007. The following qualifications gained in England and Wales were previously recognised as providing such eligibility:
*Diploma in Probation Studies
*Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)
*CQSW (with Probation Option)
Knowledge of the wider criminal justice system
Hours of Work (Unsocial Hours) Allowances

37 hours a week

Additional Information
The merit list generated from this campaign will only be applicable to future North-West Lancashire PDU Band 6 vacancies only.
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...