HMPPS Band 8
Assessing Risks, Needs and Strengths (ARNS) is a groundbreaking transformation project within HMPPS, presenting an exciting opportunity to redesign a more collaborative assessment and sentence planning practice alongside a new digital tool. Effective assessment of risk, needs and strengths is fundamental to rehabilitation, reducing reoffending and protecting the public. ARNS is introducing a single, strengths-based assessment service that enables the flow of high-quality information across an individual’s journey, supporting confident decision‑making and improved management of risk and need. By aligning design and delivery across probation and prisons, the project promotes genuine ‘buy‑in’ and ownership of change across the whole system.
ARNS is an HMPPS organisational priority, with a clear focus on delivering benefits and efficiencies for frontline staff while improving assessment quality and confidence among key stakeholders, including His Majesty’s Inspectorates of Probation and Prisons (HMIP).Central to our ambition is a more engaging, proportionate and evidence led assessment approach.
We are at a pivotal point in the project’s journey. As the first phase of national rollout with the new sentence plan has been completed, the focus moves to deeper implementation, cultural change and sustainability.
The first roll out phase provides a strong foundation for future developments. The next phase will support and enable wider change and implementation arising from the Sentencing Act 2026, embedding new ways of working at scale and fully engaging staff to ensure practice change is truly embedded.
As a Change & Implementation Lead, you will play a central role in shaping and delivering this next phase to both prison offender management teams and community probation teams. You will work across the project and with a wide range of stakeholders to identify, plan and prioritise work, manage dependencies and maintain strategic clarity. With a strong track record of delivering frontline transformation, you will help drive meaningful, sustainable change across HMPPS.
You will join a dynamic, collaborative national team, working across multiple interdependencies in a fast paced, inclusive environment. Strong communication, innovative thinking, organisation and relationship building skills are essential, alongside the ability to work flexibly and confidently to project timescales. Frontline experience is highly desirable.
This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of assessment practice across HMPPS and make a real difference for our staff, people in prison and on probation, and the wider public.
This is a national role that will require regular travel, including overnight stays, to support implementation and stakeholder engagement. You will be part of a dispersed team and expected to attend team meetings, away days and visit HMPPS locations. In line with HMPPS policy, there is an expectation that the role will be 60% office based. Site visits will contribute to the 60%.
Operational experience in probation and/or a prison setting is highly desirable.
Please note whilst the job description references working to an Implementation and Change Lead within the ARNS project, the successful candidate will report to a Band 9 Design and Delivery Lead within the ARNS project.
The job holder will be required to carry out the following duties: -
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 Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS’ Flexible Working policy.
If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff.
The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.
Benefits
Annual Leave
-The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case.
Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays
-You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays.
Pension
-The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
Work Life Balance
HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements. Work life balance provides greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wherever managers and establishments can accommodate requests to do so. HMPPS offers flexible working subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period and NVQ
Season Ticket Advance
-After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer-period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work
Childcare Vouchers
For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers
Training
HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including areas such as Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti Bullying Programmes
-There are opportunities to access promotion programmes and HMPPS provides a variety of training appropriate to individual posts
-All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles
Eligibility
-All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post
-All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS
-All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which the HMPPS considers to be racist
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.
Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
A Great Place to Work for Veterans
The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
Civil Service Nationality Rules
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
Reserve list
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.
MoJ:
If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [email protected]
Please quote the job reference 22689
HMPPS
If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [email protected]
Please quote the job reference 22689
If you have any questions regarding this vacancy please contact
Head of Change and Implementation, Assessing Risks Needs and Strengths project
or
Design & Delivery Lead, Assessing Risks Needs and Strengths project
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Job details are sourced from the employer's original posting.
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