Senior Practice Developer

Job summary

This post is open to applicants who 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.

Our staff have 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.

This role is a designated homeworking role. Travel to our college sites at Ryton on Dunsmore, near Coventry or London or to visit police sites across England and Wales is also required. On average this will be no more than once or twice a month.

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 lead, develop and performance manage a small team of practice developers delivering national professional practice guidance for the police service. You’ll also contribute to business planning for the What Works Standards unit and lead on delivery of specific improvement and change activities in the unit. You will lead on the development of 6 plus pieces of national guidance each year, allocating developers to work streams, supporting and advising them on effective approaches and reviewing progress against project plans. You may also personally develop guidance that requires more complex development or stakeholder engagement.

Person specification

Some of your responsibilities will include:

• ​​Lead, develop and performance manage a team of Policing Practice Developers to deliver evidence-based practice standards and guidance​

• ​​Collaborate and engage with internal and external stakeholders, including senior policing stakeholders, policing practitioners, community and voluntary organisations and members of the public to ensure guidance supports practical and ethical service delivery. ​

• ​​Develop plans for gathering, reviewing and incorporating research evidence and policing practice into national guidance​

To be successful in this role you’ll need:

• ​​ Degree or level 6 qualification in an appropriate subject or equivalent experience​

• ​​Experience of taking an evidence-based approach to developing and influencing professional practice​

• ​​Excellent communication skills – the ability to write and present complex concepts concisely, fluently and persuasively​

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
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

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

• Working collaboratively
• Evidence based approach to developing professional practice
• Planning and organising

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,108, College of Policing contributes £13,357 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).

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.

Vacancy reference: 7245

Anticipated interview dates: w/c 24th August 2026

This role is available until 31st March 2027 (with the possibility of extension) as a fixed term contract or secondment and is open to

• all applicants who can meet the College's nationality, UK residency and vetting requirements

Any ineligible applications will be withdrawn before shortlisting.

Please note if you are applying as a secondment you will be required to obtain the written support of your line manager or appropriate manager specified by your organisation, prior to submitting your application.

Please ensure you upload your completed secondment approval form as an attachment when submitting your application in Civil Service Jobs.

Internal applicants who are at risk of redundancy or in need of redeployment and pass the recruitment process, will be given priority over other applicants.

An initial sift based on the lead technical skill *Working collaboratively'