At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families visiting loved ones in a welcoming environment.
- Company: Pact is dedicated to helping families affected by imprisonment.
- Benefits: Enjoy perks like counselling services, generous leave, and training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while working with diverse people in challenging situations.
- Qualifications: Empathy, organisational skills, and some IT knowledge are essential.
- Other info: Open to all applicants, including those with criminal convictions.
Are you a real 'people person'? Are you a quick learner who's organised and keen to help out? Well, you might just be the person we need. Read on...
As a Pact Visits Centre Assistant, you will provide support to families visiting loved ones. You will work as one of the family team based primarily in the prison's visitor centre, but also across the visits hall, play area and tea bar to provide a safe and welcoming environment, and provide advice, support and information to friends and families visiting the prison.
About You: To be successful in this role you will have empathy and understanding of working with families in challenging circumstances, ideally involving prisoners and/or their families. You will also have excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage a demanding workload. You will support colleagues in Pact's family work, have some IT skills and may even have knowledge of safeguarding/child protection. You'll be used to dealing with people from all sorts of backgrounds and working in partnership with different agencies and organisations. In short, you're a real 'people person' who will roll their sleeves up, work hard and add value to the visits centre team in any way that's needed.
What Pact Offer: Pact offers a wide range of employee benefits including free confidential advice and counselling service, cycle to work scheme, life assurance, eye care vouchers, generous annual leave plus more. You will have the opportunity to attend internal training events to further develop yourself as an effective support worker and you will undergo a thorough induction process and be supported by a friendly and enthusiastic team.
How to Apply: If you feel you meet the requirements of this post please complete an application form by clicking the 'apply now' button. Please note: we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Other Information: Pact is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all applications including those with a criminal conviction (appointment to post is subject to a risk assessment). This post is subject to a 6-month probationary period, verification of identity and proven right to work in the UK, satisfactory references from previous employers covering a 3-year period, declaration of any unspent criminal convictions (and where appropriate a satisfactory risk assessment), Prison Vetting and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. Please note that being bankrupt or having County Court Judgements may affect your ability to be successfully vetted to work in a prison. If you have lived abroad for 12 months or more (in the past 10 years while aged 18 or over), you will need to present a certificate of good conduct from the Police Force of the country of residence.
Visits Centre Assistant, 22.75 hrs employer: PACT (Prison Advice and Care Trust)
Contact Detail:
PACT (Prison Advice and Care Trust) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Visits Centre Assistant, 22.75 hrs
✨Tip Number 1
Show your people skills! When you get the chance, share examples of how you've successfully interacted with diverse groups. This role is all about empathy and understanding, so highlight any relevant experiences that demonstrate your ability to connect with families in challenging situations.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with safeguarding and child protection principles. Even if you don't have formal training, showing that you understand the importance of these issues can set you apart. Consider mentioning any related experiences or training you've had that could be relevant to the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss your organisational skills. Think of specific examples where you've managed a busy workload or coordinated activities effectively. This will demonstrate your ability to handle the demands of the Visits Centre Assistant role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Pact and their values. Understanding their mission and the work they do will help you align your answers during any interviews. Showing genuine interest in the organisation can make a positive impression and demonstrate that you're a good fit for their team.
We think you need these skills to ace Visits Centre Assistant, 22.75 hrs
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the key responsibilities and skills required for the Visits Centre Assistant position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experiences align with these requirements.
Showcase Your People Skills: Since this role requires a 'people person', make sure to include examples in your application that demonstrate your empathy, communication skills, and ability to work with diverse groups. Share specific instances where you've successfully supported others.
Highlight Organisational Skills: Emphasise your organisational abilities by providing examples of how you have managed workloads or coordinated activities in previous roles. This will show that you can handle the demands of the position effectively.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, take the time to proofread it for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at PACT (Prison Advice and Care Trust)
✨Show Your People Skills
As a Visits Centre Assistant, you'll be working closely with families in challenging situations. Make sure to highlight your experience in dealing with diverse groups and how you can empathise with their needs during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Organisational Skills
This role requires excellent organisational abilities. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've managed a demanding workload in the past, perhaps through prioritising tasks or using tools to stay organised.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Safeguarding
Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection is beneficial for this position. Brush up on relevant policies and be ready to discuss how you would handle sensitive situations involving families and children.
✨Prepare Questions About the Role
Show your interest in the position by preparing thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, training opportunities, and how success is measured in the role. This demonstrates your enthusiasm and commitment to contributing positively.