Ministry of Justice recruiting supervisors for Community Payback scheme
People in East Berkshire are being urged to consider job opportunities supporting the delivery of Community Payback as the region looks to employ more people in supervisor roles.
Community Payback (CP), previously known as Community Service, is an alternative to a prison sentence for people who have committed a crime.
The Ministry of Justice is looking for supervisors, who work hands-on to oversee Community Payback projects on the ground.
The recruitment drive comes off the back of the government’s commitment of £93million extra to increase Community Payback from 5million to 8million hours per year, which will see 500 new roles across the country.
Working in a Community Payback role gives individuals the opportunity to support people on probation to make improvements to local communities and make positive changes to get their lives back on track.
No specific experience or qualifications are required.
Community Payback supervisors lead small teams, helping to motivate them to complete projects that will impact the community – from restoring community facilities like sports halls and playgrounds to planting trees or graffiti removal.
The new roles are open to a wide range of applicants and are ideal for those looking for a rewarding career where you can both motivate and inspire others to change for the better, and build better and safer places to live.
Clarissa Graham is a Community Payback supervisor in Slough.
She has worked on various projects that have positively impacted her local community.
She said: “As a supervisor you work with people on probation on a daily basis.
“The work we carry out at each placement is beneficial to the local area and gives the group a feeling of giving back to their community – motivating them to make a positive change in their lives.
“It can be challenging but most of all it is very rewarding. It really has been the best move I have made in my career.”
One of the projects she has worked on is at the Montem Academy.
Work has included repairing/installing fencing, building new large planters with benches and also building a pathway at the back of the school.
Kevin Hendry, the site manager at Montem Academy said: “I have been asked several times now how our site is in such an amazing condition, to which I always reply that the majority of it is due to the Community Payback service.
“I would like to thank the area managers and supervisors for the wonderful service they have provided continuously for the last 11 years.”
All new staff are given robust training to help them work effectively and safely with people on probation, from learning about the principles of Community Payback to training on health and safety, risk awareness, and dealing with challenging behaviour. New staff will also have full training on any tools used and will work alongside and shadow an experienced colleague before taking responsibility for supervising a group on their own.
Anyone interested in a career in Community Payback should visit the Community Payback section on the Ministry of Justice jobs website.