Head of Service (Offender Management Unit)

Catch22 is seeking an exceptional Head of Service to lead our Offender Management Unit (OMU) and Gangs & Violence Reduction services at HMP Thameside.

This is a senior leadership opportunity within a busy Category B resettlement prison in South-East London. You will provide strategic and operational oversight of the OMU ensuring high-quality contractually compliant delivery aligned with HMPPS policy frameworks public protection standards and organisational policies & Procedures.

Reporting to the Assistant Director you will drive performance governance and service innovation ensuring key performance targets and audit requirements (including HMIP inspections) are met. Acting as the ViSOR (HMPPS database) lead for the establishment you will oversee offender flows inter-prison transfers and compliance processes.

You will work closely with prison leadership Serco HMPPS and a wide range of internal and external partners to deliver impactful offender management services. A key part of this opportunity is leading and developing high-performing teams including a Deputy Head of Service and OMU Coordinators creating a culture of accountability engagement and continuous improvement.

This opportunity also contributes to business development supporting tender activity and identifying opportunities to expand Catch22s custodial services and impact in society.

We are looking for a confident resilient leader who thrives in complex environments and is committed to improving outcomes for people in custody.

Qualifications :

Essential:

• PQIP qualified and/or OASys trained

• Significant leadership experience within custodial or criminal justice settings

• Strong understanding of offender rehabilitation models risk management and safeguarding

• Proven experience managing high-risk individuals and high-performing teams

• Ability to operate strategically while maintaining strong operational oversight

• Excellent communication analytical and IT skills

Desirable:

• Relevant qualification (e.g. Criminology Criminal Justice Social Care Mental Health)

• Management qualification

• Experience leading audit preparation and performance frameworks

Additional Information :

Those interested in applying for this opportunity should review the Job Description & Person Specification to find out more. If you have any questions about the role or recruitment process please see our contact information on the Candidate Help Page. Please use reference REF3854O in your message so that we can identify the opportunity. 

When applying please be cautious over the answers you provide. If you select NO to the screening question regarding Right to Work in the UK your application will automatically be closed. 

Contract: Permanent

Hours & work pattern: Full time 38 hours per week. 

Salary: from 47950

Location: HM Prison Thameside Griffin Manor Way London SE28 0FJ

Closing Date: 1630 on 11th of March 2026. Catch22 reserves the right to withdraw the vacancy at any time for any reason before the stated closing date.

Screening: Successful admission to post subject to enhanced DBS check HMPPS vetting check and employer Right To Work in the UK check. The post-holder must have right to work in the UK. Catch22 does not currently provide a licence to sponsor visas but please see this register to see those that do.

To Apply: Please provide your CV and cover letter along with the completion of the screening questions to express your interest in this opportunity. Please note in the interest of safer recruitment and ensuring that applicants are a right fit for the role submitted applications must contain a CV satisfactory responses to the screening questions and information detailing interest in the role to be considered for this position.

Use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) should not be used to exaggerate skills & experiences create generic responses that are not unique to the individual and for any assessments used by the Hiring Team to measure an individuals natural abilities. 

Catch22s Commitment to Opportunity & Progression

At Catch22 we are proud of our commitment in supporting people develop in their careers and progress in our 2024 within our Justice Hub we have 68% of those in management roles that originally joined Catch22 in the frontline workforce and some worked across a number of roles and Leadership positions before joining management. This allows us to have a highly experienced management group and provides development opportunities for those in our much valued front-line.

Catch22s Commitment to Ban the Box

Catch22 is proud to have Banned the Box. This means that we do not ask for candidates to disclose criminal convictions at the application stage. Instead we invite disclosures at interview stage and encourage them at the offer stage. Please see our statement of commitment on hiring people with convictions for more information.

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Social Media Search

Please note we may conduct an online search as part of our due diligence checks for successful candidate(s). This will involve a search of all publicly available information online and in social media.

Vetting Requirements
This role is subject to the satisfactory completion of relevant pre-employment checks which may include HMPPS vetting NPPV or other role-specific security clearances.

Any offer of employment will be conditional upon the successful outcome of these checks. Where clearance is not granted or is subsequently withdrawn Catch22 reserves the right to withdraw the offer of employment.

Catch22 Justice requests no contact from agencies or media sales

Benefits / Apply for Opportunities / recruitment process / Recruitment Policy / Set up Job Alerts

Catch22 is committed to rigorous safeguarding and safer recruitment practices; ensuring that every individual within the organisation has been safely and appropriately checked.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time