Probation Officer jobs in Manchester

Position Team Lead (Justice Services)

Location North West England (community and custodial)

Salary £29,077 – £31,500 + excellent benefits

Hours 35 hours per week (flexible working)

Status Fixed term until 28th February 2027

Closing date 11 June 2026

The Wise Group, in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and third-sector organisations, delivers the Finance, Benefit and Debt service across the North West of England.

This role is about more than advice. It’s about helping people stabilise their finances, reduce crisis, and create the conditions for long-term change.

Working across prison and community settings, you will lead a team delivering one-to-one mentoring to men facing financial hardship, benefit challenges and debt. You’ll work closely with probation, prison teams and local partners to ensure people can access the right support at the right time.

Using our Relational Mentoring approach, your team will build trusted relationships that go beyond transactional support - helping individuals make meaningful, sustained progress.

As Team Lead, you will play a key role in how this support is delivered - shaping team performance, strengthening partnerships and ensuring we deliver high-quality, person-centred services that make a real difference.

What you’ll lead

People and performance
Recruit, onboard and support mentoring staff delivering frontline interventions. Provide regular supervision, support wellbeing and performance, manage caseload allocation and create a culture focused on accountability, rehabilitation and outcomes.

Service delivery
Ensure consistent, high-quality delivery across custodial and community settings. Support your team to address finance, benefits and debt barriers that impact stability and resettlement.

Partnerships and stakeholder engagement
Build strong working relationships with prisons, probation, Ministry of Justice partners and third-sector organisations. Strengthen referral pathways and support collaborative delivery.

Safeguarding, risk and compliance
Ensure safe working practices are embedded, including risk assessment and safeguarding. Manage and escalate concerns appropriately and ensure compliance with all requirements.

Data, quality and performance
Oversee CRM systems, case recording and performance reporting. Use data and insight to track progress, meet contractual requirements and drive service improvement.

Continuous improvement and change
Identify opportunities to improve delivery, gather feedback and support the ongoing development of justice services across the North West.

What you’ll bring

• Experience leading or coordinating frontline teams within criminal justice, social justice, employability or related services

• Strong people management and coaching skills, with the ability to build trust and accountability

• Understanding of the challenges faced by people entering or leaving custody, particularly around finance, benefits and debt

• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, partnership environment

• Strong organisational and digital skills, including experience with CRM systems and performance reporting

• Confidence building relationships with statutory and third-sector partners

• A practical, solutions-focused approach and the ability to implement change

Essential requirements

• Full driving licence and access to a car for daily use

• Willingness to travel across the North West, including custodial and community locations

• Successful completion of enhanced Level 1 prison vetting

• Home broadband to support flexible working

Experience of working in a custodial setting is advantageous.

View the Role Profile for full details about this opportunity.