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About the job
Job summary
HMICFRS independently assesses the effectiveness and efficiency of police forces and fire and rescue services in the public interest. We promote improvements in policing and fire and rescue services to make everyone safer.
We are independent of the Government, police and fire and rescue services. We ask the questions that we believe the public wish to have answered and produce major reports that shine a light on issues at the very heart of policing and fire and rescue services.
Our reports are widely covered by the media and help inform the public of the performance of their local police forces and fire and rescue services. You can find out more about HMICFRS on our website and see some of our recent reports.
Working at HMICFRS gives you an opportunity to make a real difference to the quality of local police and fire and rescue services and the lives of the public.
HMICFRS is a unique organisation with staff seconded or loaned from across the Civil Service, police forces and fire and rescue services. As short-term, contracted staff, our Associates work alongside these staff and play an important part in contributing to the success of our inspection programme.
We set ourselves high standards, taking great pride in the quality of work we achieve and the opportunities we create for our staff.
Find out more
If you would like to talk to someone about this role and what its like working for HMICFRS we would be pleased to hear from you. Please contact recruitment@hmicfrs.gov.uk and we can arrange for someone to contact you.
Due to nature of this role, it is only available full time.
Job description
The PEEL portfolio team leads the inspection of police forces to assess police effectiveness, efficiency, and legitimacy (PEEL). We report on these aspects of policing at a force level, as well as drawing out national themes in thematic reports.
Through this work, making evidenced based observations and assessments, you will be driving real improvements in the overall safety and performance of our police services.
As a Case File Review Inspection Officer, you will play a leading role in the delivery, planning, analysis and reporting of our PEEL Victim Service Assessment inspections. These inspections assess the service police forces provide to victims of crime from the initial point of contact, through to response, investigation and application of approved outcomes.
The role will involve arranging and coordinating Case File Review inspections to ensure their effective delivery. This will involve working with force liaison contacts and completing relevant document reviews. The postholder will also be required to participate in inspections and make evidence-based judgements on the effectiveness of the service provided.
Additionally, you will lead on a number of allocated corporate responsibilities on behalf of the team.
We are looking for talented individuals who have the drive, enthusiasm and skills to be part of HMICFRS. You will need to be inquisitive and have the ability to assess data and performance objectively. You will be expected to form constructive relationships that will enable you to work closely with those we inspect, providing challenge, and identifying areas for improvement and to share best practice.
Person specification
Assisting in the Design, planning, and implementation of PEEL Victim Service Assessment Crime File Reviews.
Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with police forces
Supporting small teams of associate inspector officers.
Undertaking inspection activity, including participating in Crime File Review Audits this may include participating in interviews, focus groups and reality testing, and making judgments as required.
Undertaking Document reviews in order to gather evidence to support Crime File Review inspections and further inform the PEEL Assessment framework.
Identifying and analysing national themes, using evidence to draw conclusions, make meaningful recommendations and track improvements.
Undertaking high quality research, prepare briefings and respond to correspondence for and on behalf of HMICFRS.
Drafting bespoke public facing reports to address specific issues and areas of particular public interest.
Deputising, if required, for Audit Coordinators, including representing HMICFRS at meetings, and presenting and explaining the inspection programme and its findings to internal and external partners
Take an active role in managing and developing staff, including using mentoring and coaching techniques.
Have a number of corporate responsibilities commensurate with the role.
Essential criteria
Recent understanding of police systems and processes for investigating crime and initial response, including a thorough knowledge of the national investigation manual and authorised professional practice for the investigation of crime.
Investigative experience as a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO)
Trained to Professionalising Investigations Programme level 2.
Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex evidence and present clear conclusions.
Experience of relationship management and working with partners.
Effective oral and written communication skills, with experience of preparing, formal structured papers, or submissions of a high standard for presentation to senior managers and other stakeholders.
Desirable criteria
Experience of inspection/audit or related processes.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
- A Civil Service Pension
See civil service pensions website for more information www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk
A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
- Learning and Development tailored to your role.
We are committed to investing in our staff and providing all staff with opportunities to maximize their skills and achieve their potential. We offer a range of work-based training, learning and development opportunities including access to coaching and mentoring, and five days volunteering per year.
HMICFRS has an Inspection Development Programme and linked accreditation process that all inspection staff undertake in our organisation. The scheme is approved by Skills for Justice and is based on you demonstrating competencies against a framework of role-specific tasks. The expectation is that all new inspection staff will complete a portfolio of evidence within agreed timescales (normally 12 months) and once this is complete it will be assessed by a trained assessor].
- An environment with flexible working options.
We promote flexible working that balances professional and personal commitments. We support virtual and smart working, making best use of our technology and building collaborative working models to help all staff to work from home and/or in the office in a hybrid way.
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
The diversity of our people is a real asset to HMICFRS. We are committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best. We particularly welcome applications from candidates from ethnic minority groups and people with disabilities, as they are currently under-represented within this grade level.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a Personal Statement (Max Word Limit 500) and Behaviour examples. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
The first stage of the sift will be carried out on your personal statement which should be aligned to the essential criteria. If you do not meet the essential criteria, your application will not progress further. For those who do meet the essential criteria, their application may progress to the second stage of the sift process.
The second stage of sift is based on the lead behaviour, Making Effective Decisions.
If your application progresses to a full sift, all behaviours will then be considered.
If successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview where you will be tested against the Success Profiles behaviours and experience based on the essential criteria stated in the advert.
Behavioural statements
You need to provide specific examples of when you have demonstrated particular skills or qualities for each of the five Civil Service behaviours listed. Your examples must also show how you meet the Essential criteria and skills listed in the job description.
We recommend that you use the Situation, Task, Action and Result (STAR) method to help make sure your examples are clear and highlight your skills and qualities. Each example should set out what you have done, how you completed the task and the results of this action to allow the panel to assess how you meet the required behaviours.
Please make sure you have provided sufficient information it is not enough to submit a list of bullet points. Please refer to the Success Profiles (opens in a new window) to make sure you are familiar with what is required for each behaviour. You will not be expected to meet every single aspect of every behaviour but must show a good range or depth for each behaviour to be successful at the sift stage.
Sift and interview dates
Sift to take place week commencing 20th November 2023
Interviews by Video link from 7th December 2023
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert, however on occasions these dates may change.
Further information
For meaningful checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years if the role requires CTC clearance, 5 years for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. A lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter
We often have similar roles available at different grades. Should candidates be placed on a reserve list we may be able to offer a similar role or a lower grade role without the need for you to go through a further selection process.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not overseas.
Every day, Home Office civil servants do brilliant work to develop and deliver policies and services that affect the lives of people across the country and beyond. To do this effectively and fairly, the Home Office is committed to representing modern Britain in all its diversity, and creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.
We are flexible, skilled, professional and diverse. We work to recruit and retain disabled staff and area Disability Confident Leader. We are proud to be one of the most ethnically diverse departments in the civil service. We are a Social Mobility Foundation top 75 employer.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
For further information please see the attached notes for candidates which must be read before making an application.
Existing Civil Servants should note that some of the Home Office terms and conditions of employment have changed. It is the candidates responsibility to ensure they are aware of the Terms and Conditions they will adopt should they be successful in application and should refer to the notes for candidates for further details.
Transfer Terms: Voluntary.
If you are invited to an interview you will be required to bring a range of documentation for the purposes of establishing identity and to aid any pre-employment checks.
Please see the attached list of Home Office acceptable ID documents.
Any move to the Home Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
- Complete the Assistance Required section in the Additional Requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a language service professional
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the Contact point for applicants section.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Steve Fell
- Email : recruitment@hmicfrs.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : HMICFRSRecruitment@homeoffice.gov.uk
Further information
