Practice Developer x3

Job summary

This post is open to applicants who can meet the College’s nationality, UK residency and vetting requirements.​

About us:

This post is based within the What Works Standards team. We are a small team who lead on the development of evidence-based guidelines and authorised professional practice (APP), which are the main sources of national guidance for the police service. We are based within the Research and Knowledge Services unit and also contribute to the work of that wider team.

We are a team of 10 with backgrounds which include policing, victim support and engagement, academic research, training and probation. We are a welcoming, supportive team with a culture of continuous improvement for ourselves and the work that we do. We are passionate about the need to support police officers and staff with the guidance they need to provide ethical and consistent levels of service to victims and the public. Although our work is of high profile and can sometimes be pressured, we prioritise a healthy life/work balance. We meet regularly as a team, online and in person, to share our successes, solve problems and to get support from each other.

Vetting

The role requires vetting level NPPV3 and SC and you may need to complete further vetting forms if you do not already have this level.

Job description

You will develop and deliver national professional practice guidance for the police service. You’ll work with college and police subject matter experts to interpret evidence and understand good practice in order to draft clear practical guidance and will lead on consulting with members of the public and other stakeholders to ensure the guidance supports the delivery of consistent and improved national practice. You will work on developing two or three main pieces of guidance each year and will work with the team to make small scale changes to existing products on a regular basis.

Person specification

Some of your responsibilities will include:

• ​​Leading on defining the scope of guidance to meet identified needs​

• ​​Working with national stakeholders and internal subject matter experts to understand and interpret evidence and practice in order to draft effective practical and ethical guidance​

• ​​Leading on public and stakeholder consultation including designing and delivering surveys, focus groups and other consultation instruments​

To be successful in this role you’ll need:

• ​​Degree or Level 6 qualification or equivalent experience​

• ​​Effective and persuasive communication skills​

• ​​Ability to gather data, analyse, critique and synthesise complex information and prepare reports and briefing documents​

Please see the attached job description which contains full details of the role.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Degree or equivalent Level 6 qualification, or equivalent level of experience and further learning and development in policing, government, law, criminal justice or related fields
• Ability to present and facilitate discussion on highly complex, sensitive and/or contentious information, where persuasive and empathetic skills may be necessary to gain acceptance from a sceptical and/or hostile audience
• Ability to gather data, analyse, critique and synthesise complex information and prepare reports and briefing documents
• Ability to think and plan strategically and to exercise sound judgement in the face of conflicting pressures

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £36,520, College of Policing contributes £10,579 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

College staff have Public Servant status. As a Public Servant, you are eligible to join the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.

The College is a great place to work. We're passionate about our people and offer a wide range of benefits, including (but not limited to):

• Defined benefit pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 28.97%

• Up to 31.5 days holiday (this is in addition to 8 public holidays and 1 privilege day)

• Continued professional development and structured career paths

• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave

• Flexi-time (for certain grades)

• Benenden Healthcare

• National Dental Plan

• Discounts for on-line shopping

• Free employee support line

• Interest free season ticket loans

• Rewards and recognition scheme
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.

For more information about your benefits and staff networks, visit Guide to your employee benefits

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

This post is open to applicants who can meet the College’s nationality, UK residency and vetting requirements.​

Vacancy reference: 7033, 7034, 7246

Anticipated interview dates: Week commencing 24th August 2026 – Via MS Teams (Online).

Tow roles are available until 30 December 2026 and one role until 31 March 2027.

​​This post is open to applicants who can meet the College’s nationality, UK residency and vetting requirements.​

• colleagues employed directly by the College or the Civil Service. Please note you will be required to obtain the written support of your line manager prior to submitting your application.
• serving police officers in the substantive rank of Inspector or police staff at the equivalent grade who have their chief officer's approval. Chief Officer’s approval must be of NPCC rank, i.e., CC, ACC or Approval for a secondment must accompany an application.
• Please note that in order to work for the College of Policing you must have the Right to Work in the UK with indefinite leave to remain. In addition, you will also be required to provide an address history in the UK for the precedi