HQ Job Description (JD)
Band 7
Directorate: Wales and Public Protection
Job Description - Deputy Head of Casework Team
(Mental Health Casework Section)
Document Ref.
HQ-JES-2072 Deputy Head of Casework Team (Mental
Health Casework Section) v3.0
Document Type
Management
Version
3.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
20 September 2022
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Job Evaluation Assurance and Support Team
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
HQ-JES-2072 Deputy Head of Casework Team (Mental Health Casework Section) v3.0
Job Description
Job Title
Deputy Head of Casework Team (Mental Health Casework
Section)
Directorate
Wales and Public Protection
Band
7
Overview of the
The Mental Health Casework Section (MHCS) is placed within
job
the Public Protection Group of the Wales and Public Protection
Directorate.
The main function of MHCS is to discharge the Justice
Secretary’s functions under the Mental Health Act 1983. This
involves the transfer of prisoners to and from hospital, and the
management of other restricted patients diverted for treatment at
the point of sentence who are either detained in hospital or
conditionally discharged to live in the community under
supervision. MHCS takes decisions on recalls, community leave
and transfers and provides advice and training to stakeholders
including clinicians on the management of restricted patients.
The post holder is one of three identical posts in each of the
three current casework teams in MHCS, and takes decisions
made on behalf of the Secretary of State in respect of approx
2,500 restricted patients (mentally disordered offenders who
present a risk of significant harm to the public). In addition to
casework responsibilities, the post holder manages the casework
team manager (who in turn manages the caseworkers) and
supports the head of casework team to manage litigation arising
from the team’s caseload, including responding to ‘letters before
claim’. The post holder also deals with all Treat Official
Correspondence.
The post holder helps to set the direction for the team, cascading
information, guidance and support, and, as necessary, ensuring
that the views of the team are represented at Senior
Management Team meetings.
The post holder reports to the Head of Casework Team to whom
he or she acts as deputy.
Summary
The post holder is responsible to the Head of Casework Team
(Band 9) for a caseload of 2,500+ restricted patients, and the
performance of a team of 15 who take decisions on behalf of the
Secretary of State.
HQ-JES-2072 Deputy Head of Casework Team (Mental Health Casework Section) v3.0
The role involves:
• Taking key casework decisions as detailed below - for
example, whether a mentally disordered offender who has
committed a violent offence should have unescorted leave in
the community. These decisions require an analysis of
clinical and legal reports, including the medical prognosis,
and the ability to balance the rights of the patient to
rehabilitation against the need to protect the public from
harm, within the legal framework of the Mental Health Act
1983 and other legislation.
• Helping to develop, direct and manage the Section’s
engagement with internal and external organisations
(including stakeholders).
• Developing internal operational policy to ensure the efficient
and smooth running of the Section.
• Developing and delivering internal and external training
concerning the distinct role of MHCS.
The post holder will manage their own work and that of the team
to deliver casework to targets, and establish good working
relationships with other agencies involved in the management of
restricted patients. They use management information (such as
casework outputs, data on backlogs and quality assurance
assessments), to monitor and help manage the performance of
the team to ensure that workload and resources are managed
effectively, defensible decisions are taken agreed processes
followed and quality maintained. They will support and enable
their staff to manage and deliver change.
The work concerns dangerous mentally disordered offenders
and much of the material handled is of a disturbing and sensitive
nature. There will be face to face contact with patients and
frequent difficult conversations with victims, patients, and the
families of patients.
In order to undertake their role, the post holder will have an
appreciation of the legislative framework, caselaw, Department
of Health guidance and the facilities available for the
management of restricted patients.
Responsibilities,
The job holder will be required to carry out the following
Activities and
responsibilities, activities and duties:
Duties
Management
Act as deputy to the Head of Casework Team, directly managing
one casework team manager and overseeing a team of 12, to
ensure that:
• Quantative and qualitative performance targets are met.
• Individual staff potential is recognised and developed
through coaching.
• Potential improvements in efficiency and cost-
effectiveness are developed and assessed.
The post holder will cover for the Head of Team’s absence,
receiving the appropriate payment for doing so.
HQ-JES-2072 Deputy Head of Casework Team (Mental Health Casework Section) v3.0
Operational Policy
Work as a supportive and flexible member of the Section’s
Senior Management Team:
• Taking responsibility for the collective management of the
Section.
• Taking overall responsibility of a specific area of
operations including the development and implementation
of operational policy.
• Acting as change manager in relation to the
implementation of large cross-functional organisational
change programmes.
• Developing and delivering associated training both
internally and externally.
Casework
Take responsibility for the management of approximately 2,500
restricted patients, including direct responsibility for decision
making (through the effective use of PPUD (electronic case
management database) and by the analysis and assessment of
the clinical and other evidence available, ensuring that the risk to
the public is identified and appropriately managed) in the
following areas:
For Detained patients
• The approval of applications for unescorted leave under
section 17 of the Mental Health Act 1983.
• The approval of applications for overnight leave (unescorted
and escorted) under section 17 of the Mental Health Act
1983.
• The approval of applications for the remission to prison of
patients transferred to Hospital under sections 47-49 of the
MHA 1983 and the initial assessment of potentially High
Profile patients (in respect of serious offences, media interest
and other special concern sentenced by the Courts to
Hospital Orders or transferred from Prison).
• Reviewing of First Tier Tribunal (FTT) Hearing Adjournments
and Directions decisions.
For Conditionally Discharged patients
• Approval of applications for changes of conditions of
discharge.
• Assessing and addressing issues of concern arising from CD
Reports.
• Monitoring the progress of patients voluntarily admitted to
hospital following issues concerning their mental health.
• Reviewing of FTT Hearing Adjournments and Directions
decisions.
For All patients
• Replying to all Treat Official correspondence relating to
restricted patients under their management.
• Responding to ‘letters before claim’.
• Overseeing the operation of the Victim Liaison Scheme as it
impacts upon cases within their Team.
HQ-JES-2072 Deputy Head of Casework Team (Mental Health Casework Section) v3.0
• Drafting replies to MPs’ letters to Ministers.
• Drafting submissions to Ministers.
• Liaising directly with First Tier (Mental Health) Tribunal
judges concerning issues of concern raised within their
Decisions.
• Taking overall responsibility for the management of the
MHCS Quality Assessment Framework for the Team.
Engagement
• Liaising with clinicians, social supervisors, offender
supervisors, the Police and any other personnel involved in
the management of mentally disordered offenders
challenging their decisions as necessary on behalf of the
Secretary of State.
• Having direct responsibility for liaison with other statutory and
non-statutory agencies and organisations.
• Building build effective working relationships, including
hosting and presenting to external audiences at Section
Open Days, visiting hospitals, prisons and other stakeholders
in MHCS work.
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.
Behaviours
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service
• Changing and Improving
Strengths
It is advised strengths are chosen locally, recommended 4-8.
Ability
Experience
Technical
HQ-JES-2072 Deputy Head of Casework Team (Mental Health Casework Section) v3.0
Minimum
Please do not alter this box
Eligibility
• All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to
taking up post.
• All external candidates are subject to 6 months’
probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they
have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS.
• All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a
group or organisation which HMPPS consider to be racist.
Hours of Work
Leave Blank
(Unsocial Hours)
Allowances
To be used by the JES Team only
HQ-JES-2072 Deputy Head of Casework Team (Mental Health Casework Section) v3.0
Success Profile
Strengths
It is advised
Behaviours
strengths are
Ability
Experience
Technical
chosen locally,
recommended 4-8
Seeing the Big Picture
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and
Influencing
Leadership
Managing a Quality Service
Changing and Improving
HQ-JES-2072 Deputy Head of Casework Team (Mental Health Casework Section) v3.0