21280 - Head of Performance Assurance


Company:	Ministry of Justice
Salary:	£54,148
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Lancaster, LA1 3QZ
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	19 Aug 2026
Closing date:	3 Sept 2026

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Summary

Overview of the job

This is a functional management job within an establishment.

Summary

The job holder will be responsible for the management of Performance Assurance, within the Corporate Services Function. The job holder will manage performance aspects of the Business Plan and provide expert strategic level advice to the Senior Management Team (SMT) on performance issues.

This is either an operational or non-operational job with line management responsibilities. If operational, please see Technical Requirements

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

Evaluate how to improve performance within the establishment, conducting

Responsible for managing the Self Audit Programme for the establishment and ensure self-audits, health checks and re-audits of non-compliant baselines

Responsible for undertaking quality assurance of the Self Audit reports

Responsible for ensuring that adequate performance management/audit controls are in place and that the Function produces and analyses relevant performance data and takes corrective action

Responsible for managing the compilation and achievement of any performance

Act as the Governor's representative by chairing adjudications and taking charge of day-to-day establishment operations as Duty Governor

Promote Prison Service policy in all activities and behaviours e.g. promote diversity, decency, safety and reducing re-offending agendas.

Review open Assessment Care in Custody teamwork (ACCT) as and when required in line with audit baselines.

Provide leadership and management of the Function. Will have the skills to apply

Manage Prisoners Complaints Process within the Function.

Responsible for ensuring all litigation claims relevant to the area have been dealt with in accordance with policy.

Oversee the compilation and regular progress reporting of performance

Manage the appropriate authorisation of Financial Compliance Statements .

Manage devolved budgets in accordance with the financial procedures outlined in the budget delegation.

Ensure that the Function produces and analyses audit and establishment

Contribute to the establishment’s overall achievement of (SDIs) and standards and be accountable for the performance and delivery of targets relating to the budget; People Plan for the Function.

Accountable for all local and national policies relating to the Function, and ensure

Contribute to the development and delivery of the medium-to-long term

Attend relevant boards/meetings and actively contribute either as chair or team member.

Responsible for ensuring the work areas and associated activities comply with

Work collaboratively and provide constructive challenge to colleagues to ensure that their own and other Function are joined up and together contribute towards the overall delivery of the establishments performance.

Contribute to the preparation of the establishment contingency and emergency

Ensure effective use of staff resources provide training and annual leave opportunities.

Produce relevant reports as required and ensure that the response to all

Carry out investigations and administration in relation to incidents of potential discrimination and report on findings.

Responsible for ensuring actions arising from Standard Audit, Her Majesty

Deliver and implement projects as directed by the Governor

Actively encourage staff engagement within the Function to ensure objectives are met.

Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) Action Plans, Managing Quality of Prison Life (MQPL) surveys, including local Self Audit action plans and Resettlement strategies are delivered. correspondence are within agreed timescales. plans and ensure implementation when required. Health and Safety legislation. Ensure all risk assessments are undertaken and staff are made aware of their personal responsibility towards Health and Safety compliance. strategic and business plan for the establishment, with overall responsibility for implementation within their Function. procedures implemented are compliant, including the development of new policies. performance management information identifying variances and areas requiring improvements. improvement programmes. all Human Resources (HR) related policies and practices and be able to carry out all aspects of people management such as Attendance Management, Disciplinary Investigations, Performance Management and Staff Appraisals. improvement programmes reporting on progress regularly as appropriate Dependant on operational experience will undertake some or all other management tasks including: relating to set standards provided by Standard Audit are undertaken analysis on data to ensure an accurate reflection of performance for a variety of purposes, including Senior Management Team discussions and individual bi - laterals, evaluating risks to inform the approach to audits The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder. An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.

Behaviours

Delivering at Pace

Leadership

Communicating and Influencing

Working Together

Managing a Quality Service

Changing and Improving

Making Effective Decisions

Technical Requirements

Job holders must complete specific training in their specialism once they take up post.

If Operational

Must be successfully accredited by passing the Head of Function Assessment Centre (HFAC), or prior to 2016 be accredited as an Operational Manager (or in post as a G5 prior to 1999).

Where HFAC accreditation was gained from 2018, the Incident Management Silver Command (IMSC) assessment must also be passed to be eligible for operational Head of Function roles.

When transferring to a Young Persons establishment the job holder will be required to successfully undertake an assessment to demonstrate suitability to work with Young People

Successful completion of workbook

Hours of Work (Unsocial Hours) Allowances

37 hour week

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