Administration

The complex nature work within prisons requires sharp administrative skills across a range of tasks. Administrators are employed at two broad levels:

Administrative Assistant

  • Ensuring paperwork is correctly managed
  • Filing
  • Data Input
  • Ensuring stationery is ordered
  • Photocopying
  • Switchboard duties
  • Oversight of internal post

Competencies required

  • 1A Achieving a safe and secure environment
  • 2B Building relationships and team working
  • 2C Communicating effectively

Administrative Officer

  • Providing Clerical support such as processing and receiving information
  • Developing and maintain effective administrative and office systems including recording and filing
  • Maintaining accurate records, processing documentation , analyse data/produce reports as required
  • Liaison with prison staff and external agencies
  • Ensuring compliance with relevant Prison Service Orders so correct procedures are followed
  • Procurement of goods and services

Competencies Required:

  • 2B Building Relationships and Team Working
  • 2C Communicating Effectively
  • 3A Problem Solving and Decision Making
  • 3B Organising and Maximising Performance

Administrative Support (YOT)

Effective Administration is key to ensuring the smooth running of the YOT and to successful performance and budget management. A Skilled administrator who understands the work of the YOT and who can relate to colleagues from a variety of agencies can make a real difference to the quality of outcomes. Within YOTs there will be a variety of administrative roles available at varying levels of seniority. In addition to tasks such as data inputting, establishing and maintaining systems for managing data/ letters and taking telephone queries etc, some administrator posts may require the post holder to represent the YOT at meetings.

Administrative Support (Probation)

Administration is the ‘engine room’ of most Probation Offices and a key part of Probation work. Whether attached to a community Probation team, programmes, office, and unpaid work or within a manager’s office, a skilled administrator who understands the work of the Probation service and the need to achieve performance targets can make a considerable difference to the effectiveness and working culture of a Probation office.

Essential skills

Knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel. Previous experience and accuracy of inputting data into computer or case management systems