KEY SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Ability to Relate to Others

This involves relating to a range of organisations, groups and individuals, including, but not exclusively, those who have experienced personal or social difficulties. This requires that a candidate:

• Has an ability to create an impression of reliability and dependability but challenges inappropriate behaviour firmly, diplomatically and sensitively.
• Has the ability to critically analyse relationships and demonstrates awareness of own impact on others.

Work as part of a Team

• Has abilities in listening, sharing, giving and receiving support and advice and is able to resolve differences and find ways forward.
• Is willing to share information and suggest new ideas but understands and respects the roles and responsibilities of others

Working with People

• Understanding of human behaviours in a variety of settings.
• Has the ability to influence change in people's behaviour.

Communication

• Has an ability to speak clearly, concisely and confidently, using language and manner appropriate to the audience, avoiding the use of jargon.
• Is able to produce accurate and concise work, which is clear and complete.
• Can present information, which is logically structured and jargon-free.

Planning and Organising

• Has a regard for quality assurance issues.
• Has an ability to prioritise effectively, together with a systematic approach to workload management, reviewing progress and revising in the light of changing circumstances.
• Is able to prepare work in advance, effectively withstanding workload pressures, and can thus consistently meet deadlines.

Work as part of a Team

• Has abilities in listening, sharing, giving and receiving support and advice and is able to resolve differences and find ways forward.
• Is willing to share information and suggest new ideas but understands and respects the roles and responsibilities of others

Working with People

• Understanding of human behaviours in a variety of settings.
• Has the ability to influence change in people's behaviour.

Communication

• Has an ability to speak clearly, concisely and confidently, using language and manner appropriate to the audience, avoiding the use of jargon.
• Is able to produce accurate and concise work, which is clear and complete.
• Can present information, which is logically structured and jargon-free.

Planning and Organising

• Has a regard for quality assurance issues.
• Has an ability to prioritise effectively, together with a systematic approach to workload management, reviewing progress and revising in the light of changing circumstances.
• Is able to prepare work in advance, effectively withstanding workload pressures, and can thus consistently meet deadlines.

Self-Management (feedback)

• Is motivated, confident and aware but knowledgeable about limits of own knowledge and responsibility.
• Is able to identify realistic but challenging self-development needs and take responsibility for own learning.
• Able to productively use feedback to enhance own performance
  

Motivation and Commitment

• Has an ability to speak clearly, co" Is able to demonstrate good preparation.
• Responds to opportunities in a manner that is enthusiastic and demonstrates interest.
• Is able to demonstrate that motivation is properly informed by knowledge of the Probation Officer role and the demanding work of the modern National Probation Service

Values

• Is objective, non-discriminatory, and avoids being influenced by personal bias.
• Demonstrates an appropriate awareness of diversity issues.
• Has the ability to address issues of inequality and power differential
• Is committed to the National Probation Service Values :
  - treating all people fairly, openly and with respect
  - a commitment to valuing diversity and acting in an anti- discriminatory way
  - an uncompromising stance against the harm caused by crime
  - a strong belief in the capacity of people to change
  - the importance of taking personal responsibility for behaviour
  - the necessity of learning from experience

Motivation and Commitment

• Is prepared to critically evaluate existing practices and adapt flexibly to change.
• Demonstrates evidence of flexibility and the ability to share responsibility.
• Ability to recognise different perspectives

Problem Solving

• Demonstrates knowledge of the problem solving cycle and the ability to apply this in practice
• Has an ability to conceptualise; an understanding of theory underlying practice; and questions and evaluates information.
• Considers other people in problem solution
• Has an ability to make appropriate and realistic judgements, based on relevant, up to date and verifiable information.
  Has an ability to speak clearly, co" Is able to demonstrate good preparation.