Residential Worker

Approved Premises Residential Worker – Howard House and Kirk Lodge, Leicester

UK JOB OPPORTUNITY – APPROVED PREMISES RESIDENTIAL WORKER

Employer: HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS)
Directorate: Probation Service
Job Title: Approved Premises Residential Worker
Reference: 21092
Civil Service Reference: 476460
Location: Leicester, England
Workplaces: NPS Howard House, Leicester LE1 6YF / NPS Kirk Lodge, Leicester LE2 2PJ
Salary: £28,064 – £33,549 per year
Pay Band: NPS Pay Band 3 National
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time or Part-time
Number of Vacancies: 2
Job Function: Operational Delivery
Closing Date: 11:55 pm, Saturday 29 August 2026

JOB OVERVIEW

HM Prison & Probation Service is recruiting Approved Premises Residential Workers to join the Probation Service at Howard House and Kirk Lodge in Leicester.

There are 2 permanent positions available, with full-time and part-time working options.

The successful candidates will work as part of a team providing 24-hour cover at an Approved Premises, supporting the safety, supervision and wellbeing of residents while contributing to risk management, sentence plan objectives and compliance with relevant rules, licence conditions and court orders.

The role involves substantial out-of-hours working, including waking night duties and weekend work.

LOCATION

NPS Howard House
Leicester
LE1 6YF

NPS Kirk Lodge
Leicester
LE2 2PJ

Staff may also be required to provide cover at other Approved Premises when necessary due to staff absence.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Approved Premises Residential Worker plays an important role within the Probation Service.

You will help maintain a safe and secure environment for residents, staff and visitors while supporting residents in meeting their risk management and sentence plan objectives.

The role combines resident supervision, security, monitoring, communication, safeguarding, record keeping and risk management.

You will maintain an active presence within the Approved Premises and engage with residents in a professional and pro-social manner.

You will also be expected to identify and report significant changes in behaviour, risk or re-offending and escalate concerns through the appropriate procedures.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Work effectively as part of a team and contribute to consistent working practices.
• Communicate important risk information to colleagues during handovers and throughout shifts.
• Liaise with Offender Managers, Stand-by Managers and partner agencies, including police, healthcare professionals and drug and alcohol services.
• Carry out regular inspections of the building, grounds and other areas.
• Record incidents, damage, defects and other relevant occurrences.
• Monitor CCTV equipment.
• Maintain an active presence throughout the Approved Premises.
• Engage with residents and support their general wellbeing.
• Observe residents and monitor compliance with their risk management plans.
• Monitor high-risk residents and respond appropriately to concerning behaviour.
• Challenge and manage abusive or aggressive behaviour appropriately.
• Report significant changes relating to risk or re-offending.
• Support residents in meeting sentence plan objectives.
• Encourage participation in purposeful activities.
• Ensure the premises is secure during curfew periods.
• Confirm the presence and wellbeing of residents overnight.
• Act as a first or emergency point of contact outside normal working hours.
• Provide accurate information and risk assessments to relevant officers and managers.
• Escalate concerns where enforcement or further action may be required.
• Follow Health and Safety legislation, Safe Systems of Work and risk assessments.
• Report incidents and safety concerns to managers.
• Conduct health and safety, fire alarm, curfew and room checks.
• Carry out room searches where required.
• Pack residents’ possessions when instructed.
• Set up or deliver purposeful activities linked to sentence plan objectives.
• Supervise residents during meals.
• Conduct effective resident inductions.
• Follow prescribed medication procedures.
• Issue medication to residents where required under established procedures.
• Complete weekly and nightly medication audits.
• Conduct drug and alcohol testing in accordance with risk management plans.
• Provide First Aid where appropriate if a resident is injured or self-harms.
• Maintain Approved Premises records and files.
• Complete required data entry and incident reports.
• Carry out safeguarding responsibilities in accordance with statutory requirements and agency policies.
• Deal professionally with visitors and telephone calls.
• Monitor visiting contractors in accordance with health and safety requirements.
• Promote positive and pro-social behaviour.
• Challenge anti-social behaviour and attitudes appropriately.
• Work in accordance with the aims and values of the Probation Service and HMPPS.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

This is a role that requires flexibility and the ability to work outside traditional office hours.

The successful candidate should be prepared for:

• Waking night duties
• Weekend working
• Out-of-hours responsibilities
• Curfew monitoring
• Resident supervision
• Security checks
• Potential emergency situations
• Working with residents presenting different levels of risk
• Working as part of a 24-hour operational team

Additional payments are available for working unsocial hours.

The advertised working hours are 37 hours, with full-time and part-time working patterns available.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

EXPERIENCE

Applicants should have experience of working with a diverse range of people who have experienced a range of social or personal difficulties.

Experience demonstrating the ability to communicate effectively, maintain professional boundaries and respond appropriately to challenging situations will be relevant to the role.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants should have:

• A minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade C or above, including English and Maths; or
• An equivalent qualification; or
• Relevant work experience demonstrating strong literacy and numeracy skills.

Candidates must be able to read, understand and interpret policies and produce clear reports and correspondence for internal and external stakeholders.

IT SKILLS

Applicants should have IT skills covering common Microsoft applications, including:

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft PowerPoint

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

The role requires the ability to communicate confidently in spoken and written English.

Where specifically applicable in Wales, Welsh language requirements may apply.

CIVIL SERVICE BEHAVIOURS

Candidates will be assessed against the following behaviours during the selection process:

Communicating and Influencing

You should be able to communicate clearly and effectively with residents, colleagues, managers and external agencies.

Making Effective Decisions

You should demonstrate the ability to assess situations, consider relevant information and make appropriate decisions, particularly where safety or risk is involved.

Delivering at Pace

You should be able to work efficiently, prioritise responsibilities and maintain standards in a busy operational environment.

Working Together

The role requires effective teamwork and cooperation with colleagues and partner organisations.

Developing Self and Others

The successful candidate should contribute positively to learning, development and effective working practices.

WHAT YOU MAY BE DOING DURING A TYPICAL SHIFT

Depending on the shift and operational requirements, your duties could include:

• Conducting security and building checks.
• Monitoring CCTV.
• Checking residents’ presence and wellbeing.
• Engaging with residents.
• Monitoring compliance with Approved Premises rules.
• Supporting risk management plans.
• Recording incidents and relevant observations.
• Communicating risk information during handovers.
• Conducting curfew and room checks.
• Responding to emergencies.
• Supporting purposeful activities.
• Supervising meals.
• Following medication procedures.
• Carrying out drug and alcohol testing.
• Responding to safeguarding concerns.
• Working with police, health services and other partner agencies.
• Maintaining accurate records.

BENEFITS

Successful candidates can benefit from a range of Civil Service employment benefits, including:

• Access to learning and development opportunities.
• Flexible working options designed to support work-life balance.
• An inclusive working environment.
• Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• Annual leave.
• Public holidays.
• Season Ticket Advance.
• Additional payments for eligible unsocial-hours working.

PENSION

The position includes access to the Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an employer contribution of 28.97%.

SECURITY CHECKS

Successful applicants will be required to undergo a standard or equivalent criminal record check.

People working with government assets must also complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks.

NATIONALITY AND RIGHT TO WORK

The vacancy is broadly open to eligible:

• UK nationals.
• Republic of Ireland nationals.
• Commonwealth nationals who have the right to work in the UK.
• Eligible EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic and Liechtenstein nationals and qualifying family members with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
• Certain individuals with limited or indefinite leave to remain who met the relevant EUSS eligibility requirements.
• Turkish nationals and certain qualifying family members who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service.

Applicants should carefully check the official nationality requirements before applying.

SELECTION PROCESS

This vacancy uses the Civil Service Success Profiles recruitment framework.

The selection process will assess candidates against:

• Behaviours
• Strengths
• Experience

Candidates should ensure that all examples provided in their application accurately reflect their own experience.

Feedback will only be provided if a candidate attends an interview or assessment.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND APPLICATIONS

Applicants may use artificial intelligence tools to support their application, but all examples and statements must be:

• Truthful
• Factually accurate
• Based on the applicant’s own experience

Applications may be withdrawn where plagiarism is identified, including presenting the ideas or experiences of others or AI-generated material as personal experience.

Applicants should therefore ensure that their application genuinely reflects their own skills and experience.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The Civil Service is committed to attracting, retaining and developing talent from across society.

HMPPS and the Civil Service promote equality, diversity and inclusion and operate schemes designed to support eligible candidates.

The vacancy also forms part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

This is an operational role within the Probation Service and applicants should carefully consider the responsibilities involved before applying.

The position requires the ability to work with residents who may present challenging behaviours or different levels of risk.

Candidates should also be comfortable with:

• Maintaining professional boundaries.
• Handling confidential information.
• Working under established policies and procedures.
• Responding appropriately to incidents.
• Working nights and weekends where required.
• Maintaining accurate records.
• Communicating risk information effectively.
• Supporting safeguarding responsibilities.
• Working collaboratively with partner agencies.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Closing date: 11:55 pm on Saturday 29 August 2026.

Applications should be submitted before the stated deadline.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are made through the official HM Prison & Probation Service recruitment portal.

Employer: HM Prison & Probation Service
Role: Approved Premises Residential Worker – Howard House and Kirk Lodge
Reference: 21092
Civil Service Reference: 476460

APPLY HERE

Official application:
https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/careers/JobDetail/21092?entityId=21092

Applicants should review the full official vacancy information and eligibility requirements before submitting an application.

RECRUITMENT CONTACT

Job Contact: SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team

Email: moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Telephone: 0345 241 5358

Recruitment Team Email: moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

CANDIDATE INFORMATION

Additional information about recruitment, benefits and allowances is available through the Ministry of Justice candidate information page:

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

QUICK SUMMARY

FINAL APPLICATION REMINDER

If you meet the requirements and are interested in working within the Probation Service, review the official job description carefully and submit your application before the deadline.

Applications must be made through the official recruitment website.