HM Inspector Adult Team(ref: 80157)

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

HM Inspectors – Adult programme

HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of probation and youth offending services in England and Wales. We promote excellence in these services. 

These posts are available on two-year secondments/loans or a fixed term contract of up to two years. Permanent contracts can be offered to candidates who have successfully completed HMI Probation’s Inspection Skills Certification for HM Inspectors prior to the closing date of this campaign (25 October 2023). 

When joining us on a secondment, remuneration (salary and any taxable allowances), pay progression and employment terms & conditions will be the same as currently received from the seconding employer. Due to recruitment rules, we can offer current civil servants a secondment of two years with a possibility of an extension to three years. For successful candidates who do not currently work for the civil service (for example staff working for local government/local authority) we can offer a two-year secondment.  When joining on a fixed term contract the salary will be £54,358. 

If applying for a secondment, you should confirm with your employer that, in principle, they are willing to second you before you apply for these posts. 

If you are a HMPPS employee, senior leaders have agreed that probation staff can apply on secondment for HM Inspector (HMI) roles and will be supported with these secondments if they are successful.

Successful candidates will be allocated a notional office base, as close to their home location as possible, for the purposes of travel and subsistence, but in practice we are flexible in terms of where in the country you wish to work from.  

About these roles 

• Are you a senior manager in the criminal justice sector?
• Are you looking for a role that is interesting, challenging and makes a difference?
• Do you want to develop your leadership skills and boost your career prospects? 

HMIs will be responsible for leading inspections at Probation Delivery Unit (PDU) and regional level. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to our thematic inspections, which explore high-profile topics on a national basis.  

As an HMI, you will be involved in every stage of our inspections: planning, conducting fieldwork, and drafting the final report. You will interview and hear from senior leaders, practitioners and people on probation, as well as use a wide range of data sources to form judgments. You will identify effective practice as well as areas for improvement; you will also make recommendations and contribute to final ratings. These are collaborative roles so you will work closely with the Head of Programme and other members of the inspection team, and have regular contact with the Chief Inspector of Probation. Your final report will be submitted to the Secretary of State for Justice and will help to improve practice locally and nationally. 

The Inspectorate is committed to learning and development for all staff. During the first year you will work towards HMI Probation’s Inspection Skills Certification (arranged and funded by the Inspectorate). You will receive ongoing feedback and support as you develop your professional skills. 

HMIs who have completed secondments with us have gone on to take senior leadership roles in the Probation Service and broader criminal justice sector. A current HMI said:
“One of the best decisions I’ve ever made was to join the Inspectorate. It’s an organisation that is working so hard to improve probation service delivery.” 

About you

HMIs must:

• have worked at a senior level in a related profession and have experience of interacting with senior stakeholders.
• have experience of assessing performance against a set of established standards
• understand and/or be adept at using qualitative and quantitative analysis methods
• be able to interpret and extrapolate themes from large volumes of written and numerical data
• be able to assimilate large quantities of information from a range of sources and produce a report using a house style guide
• be confident and competent in using IT (you have experience using Word, Excel, Outlook, a reasonable amount of case management software, etc). 

HMIs will be expected to travel across England and Wales and spend time away from home. We want applicants to be fully aware of this requirement and to ensure this fits with your expectations and lifestyle. It has been estimated that HMIs will be required to be onsite approximately twelve weeks per year. In addition to onsite inspection work, you will be required to attend other in-person events. We strongly encourage you to contact us for a discussion and to ask any questions – these conversations will be confidential and will not count towards your application (see contact details at the end of the advert). 

We will also be running an online event on Friday 13 October 2023 14.00-15.00. This will be an opportunity for you to hear more about the role and to ask any questions you may have. If you are interested in attending this event please go to our website HMI Probation – Home (justiceinspectorates.gov.uk) for details of how to register. 

We warmly welcome applications from minority ethnic and/or Welsh speaking candidates.

If you are a Welsh language speaker and you would like to discuss how your unique skill set can improve our service delivery, please e-mail corporate@hmiprobation.gov.uk to arrange a discussion with Helen Davies or Tony Kirk who can provide further insight to our commitment to treating the Welsh and English languages on an equal basis when conducting inspections in Wales. Please mark your email “HMI – recruitment, request for Welsh language discussion” and if you would like the discussion to occur in Welsh, please indicate your preference in the e-mail.

Os ydych chi’n siaradwr iaith Gymraeg ac yr hoffech drafod sut y gall eich set sgiliau unigryw wella ein darpariaeth gwasanaeth, e-bostiwch Corporate@hmiprobation.gov.uk i drefnu trafodaeth gyda Helen Davies neu Tony Kirk a all drafod ymhellach ein hymrwymiad i drin yr ieithoedd Cymraeg a Saesneg yn gyfartal wrth gynnal archwiliadau yng Nghymru. Marciwch eich e-bost “HMI-recriwtio, cais am drafodaeth iaith Gymraeg” ac os hoffech i’r drafodaeth ddigwydd yn Gymraeg, nodwch eich dewis yn yr e-bost. 

The option of part‑time or job-share contracts can be discussed individually.

Selection process
You must complete your application by no later than 23:55 on Wednesday 25 October 2023.

We will invite short-listed candidates to an assessment centre, which will be conducted remotely on Tuesday 5 December and Wednesday 6 December 2023. Candidates MUST be available to attend one of these days, we are unable to offer alternative dates.

Candidates who are successful at the assessment centre will be invited to an interview based on a blend of Behaviours and Strengths. Interviews, which will be conducted remotely, will take place on Thursday 11 January and Friday 12 January 2024. Candidates MUST be available to attend one of these days, we are unable to offer alternative dates.

We recruit using the Civil Service Success Profiles https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles

Further information on the structure and expectations of our assessment centre process will be sent to candidates who are successful through the application sift stage.

About us and contacts 

Our vision

High-quality probation and youth offending services that change people’s lives for the better. 

Our purpose

HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of probation and youth offending services in England and Wales. We set the standards that shine a light on the quality and impact of these services. Our inspections, reviews, research and effective practice products provide authoritative and evidence-based judgements and guidance. We use our voice to drive system change, with a focus on inclusion and diversity. Our scrutiny leads to improved outcomes for individuals and communities. 

We work in ways that are influential, independent, professional, diverse and inclusive. Read more about our vision, mission and values on our website:  www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprobation 

If you would like to discuss these posts, please contact corporate@hmiprobation.gov.uk, marking your email ‘HMI recruitment October 2023’.

We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all staff. We will not discriminate on grounds of gender, ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, faith or any other factor not relevant to a person’s work.

Key requirements of the role

• Lead inspections taking responsibility for planning, fieldwork and the preparation of reports
• Be responsible for the assessment of areas being inspected, including making recommendations for the rating they receive
• Lead the on-site team during the inspection process, manage relationships with key stakeholders including external partners in the inspection, the organisations SPOC and local management team
• Be accountable for judgements, ratings, and any recommendations arising from the inspection
• Lead and facilitate meetings with senior managers and staff, as well as staff from partnership organisations.
• Analyse and interpret data to make judgements and facilitate the writing of high-quality reports
• Lead and contribute to discussions about inspection findings with colleagues in the MoJ, HMPPS, and other relevant organisations
• Contribute to HM Inspectorate of Probation’s work on policy areas, based on inspection findings
• Act as deputy lead, support or duty inspector as required
• Undertake assessments of front-line practice, providing feedback to individual probation practitioners about their work
• Undertake work on joint inspection programmes, working collaboratively with colleagues from other Inspectorates
• Through appropriate leadership, role model and promote a culture that respects the Inspectorate’s values of being influential, independent, professional, inclusive, and diverse
• Briefing and coaching of Assistant Inspectors while they are working on the inspection.
• Work closely with the communications team to ensure effective internal and external communication of the results of the inspection.
• Encourage a culture that values openness, honesty, support and challenge
• Keep abreast of the latest thinking and developments in probation practice and understand the implications for professional practice. As part of the knowledge network in HM Inspectorate of Probation, take the lead in developing knowledge of developments in a specialist area of probation practice.
• Personal resilience and stamina to spend considerable time away from home, including lone working and self-motivation
• Recognise and promote diversity issues in all aspects of work

Person Specification – Success Profiles

Behaviours

Communicating and Influencing

Communicate with others in a clear, honest and enthusiastic way in order to build trust. Explain complex issues in a way that is easy to understand. Take into account people’s individual needs. Deliver difficult messages with clarity and sensitivity, being persuasive when required. Consider the impact of the language used. Remain open-minded and impartial in discussions, whilst respecting the diverse interests and opinions of others. 

Working Together

Actively build and maintain a network of colleagues and contacts to achieve progress on shared objectives. Challenge assumptions while being willing to compromise if beneficial to progress. Build strong interpersonal relationships and show genuine care for colleagues. Ensure consideration and support for the wellbeing of yourself and individuals throughout the team. Understand the varying needs of the team to ensure they are supported and their experiences are utilised. Create an inclusive working environment where all opinions and challenges are taken into account and bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable. Remain available and approachable to all colleagues and be receptive to new ideas.

Delivering at Pace
Ensure everyone clearly understands and owns their roles, responsibilities and business priorities. Give honest, motivating and enthusiastic messages about priorities, objectives and expectations to get the best out of people. .Ensure delivery of timely quality outcomes. Maintain own levels of performance in challenging circumstances and encourage others to do the same.

Making Effective Decisions
Clarify your own understanding and stakeholder needs and expectations, before making decisions. Ensure decision making happens at the right level, not allowing unnecessary bureaucracy to hinder delivery. Encourage both innovative suggestions and challenge from others, to inform decision making. Analyse and accurately interpret data from various sources to support decisions. Find the best option by identifying positives, negatives, risks and implications. Present reasonable conclusions from a wide range of complex evidence. Make decisions confidently even when details are unclear or if they prove to be unpopular.

Changing and Improving
Encourage, recognise and share innovative ideas from a diverse range of colleagues and stakeholders. Give people space to take initiative and praise them for their creativity. Create an environment where people feel safe to challenge and know their voice will be heard. Make changes which add value and clearly articulate how changes will benefit the business. Understand and identify the role of technology in public service delivery and policy implementation. Consider the full impact of implementing changes on culture, structure, morale and the impacts on the diverse range of end users, including accessibility needs. Identify early signs that things are going wrong and respond promptly. Provide constructive challenge to senior management on change proposals.

Ability
IT Skills
You are confident and competent in the use of Information Technology (e.g. you have experience using Word, Excel, Outlook, a reasonable amount of case management software, etc.).     Essential

Data Analysis
You have understanding of and/or the ability to use qualitative and quantitative analysis methods. You are able to interpret and extrapolate themes from large volumes of written and numerical data.      Essential

Report Writing
You can assimilate large quantities of information from a range of sources and produce a report using a ‘house style’.    Essential

Experience

Work Experience
You have worked at a senior level in a related profession. You are experienced in interacting with senior stakeholders.    Essential

Assessing Performance
You have experience assessing performance against a set of established standards.    Essential

Criminal Justice System Experience
You have experience working in the Criminal Justice System.    Desirable

Technical
Professional Qualification
You have a professional qualification in Probation (youth or adult).

You have a related professional qualification in a relevant occupational area e.g. social work.    Desirable

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving

• Access to learning and development
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Annual Leave
• Public Holidays
• Season Ticket Advance

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Job contact :

• Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
• Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
• Telephone : 0845 241 5359

Recruitment team

• Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com