12656 - Senior Operational Support Manager
| Posting date: | 15 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £48,305 to £52,935 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 09 January 2026 |
| Location: | North East England, UK |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Ministry of Justice |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 12656 |
Summary
The postholder will work at a regional and strategic level providing management and leadership to a team of Health and Justice Partnership Coordinators to deliver on the Social Care Strategy within the probation service. This key strategic senior leadership role will report direct to the Head of Community Integration (HoCI).
The role will involve working with an extensive range of internal and external partners to improve the health and wellbeing of those under probation supervision and contribute to reducing health inequities within the criminal justice system. This includes improving ‘continuity of care’ that deliver robust pathways to treatment services. This work will make a key contribution to reducing reoffending and reducing the number of victims of crime that will support HMPPS’ shared goals with health and social care partners.
The Health and Social Care agenda is complex and will require the postholder to engage with and lead multiple themes, which include, but are not limited to; mental health, substance misuse, physical health and social care.
The postholder will have excellent analytical and stakeholder engagement skills with an ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to solve problems and find pragmatic solutions that deliver improved outcomes for people on probation.
The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position.
This role is regional and will require travel across the North East Region.
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
The role will involve working with an extensive range of internal and external partners to improve the health and wellbeing of those under probation supervision and contribute to reducing health inequities within the criminal justice system. This includes improving ‘continuity of care’ that deliver robust pathways to treatment services. This work will make a key contribution to reducing reoffending and reducing the number of victims of crime that will support HMPPS’ shared goals with health and social care partners.
The Health and Social Care agenda is complex and will require the postholder to engage with and lead multiple themes, which include, but are not limited to; mental health, substance misuse, physical health and social care.
The postholder will have excellent analytical and stakeholder engagement skills with an ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to solve problems and find pragmatic solutions that deliver improved outcomes for people on probation.
The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position.
This role is regional and will require travel across the North East Region.
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