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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in delivering library services to young inmates, promoting reading and education.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Hounslow, a diverse council dedicated to community service.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, training opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative team supporting education and rehabilitation in a unique environment.
- Qualifications: Confidence in handling challenging behaviour and a passion for children's education required.
- Other info: Enhanced DBS check needed; apply even if you don't meet every requirement!
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 ÂŁ per year.
Join to apply for the Library Assistant - Prison Library Service role at London Borough of Hounslow.
About Us
Weâd love you to join us at the London Borough of Hounslow! Our people are deeply committed to providing excellent services to our residents, doing all we can to make lives as good as they can be. We are an outstanding council, serving an outstanding borough. With brilliant, visionary leadership, a dynamic Cabinet and a can-do culture, weâve built strong partnerships which have transformed how we serve one of Londonâs most diverse boroughs. Hounslow is the world in one place and full of potential. We are stepping up for our residents like never before.
About Our Commitment To Diversity And Inclusion
We live by five core values: Lead with Heart, Do New, Pass on the Power, Harness the Mix and Be a Rock. All our work has equality, diversity and inclusion at its very heart, best articulated in âHarness the Mixâ. Itâs about breaking down barriers between our parts and people and unlocking the problem-solving power of our amazing mix of minds. We serve a diverse community, we have a diverse workforce and we are committed to being an inclusive employer. We work hard to create representation across our workforce and leadership community, we have thriving employee network groups and our learning and development programmes help us lead, model and breathe ways of working that eliminate inequality, inequity, injustice and bias. As part of this and under our commitments as a Disability Confident Employer, we make reasonable adjustments to accommodate our candidates. Thereâs space for you to tell us what you need within our application form.
About The Role
A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen within one of Hounslowâs specialist library services. HMP & YOI Feltham is looking for a confident and enthusiastic part-time library assistant to join the dedicated team. In this role, you will be delivering a comprehensive library service to the younger population of the prison through educational class visits to the library and delivering a mobile service to prison units. You will be working in a challenging but rewarding environment, supporting the Prison Library Manager and Senior Library Assistants to deliver a first-class service throughout the prison. This role is ever changing and evolving to suit the needs of the library users and the regime of the prison, and it is an exciting time for the library team as they plan and provide a library service to the prison population.
About The Team Youâll Be Working In
The aim of the library within HMP & YOI Feltham is to provide a library service to the prison population and work closely with all departments to support prisoner education and reducing reoffending. In this role, you will be working with the younger population of the prison, children aged between 15 â 18 to ensure they are offered opportunities to develop. Working in a very small team, you will be working closely with the Senior Library Assistant and Prison Library Manager to ensure the library provides essential services to the library users. You will be required to support educational classes when they visit the library, signposting children to useful materials and helping improve their reading skills. A comprehensive mobile service is delivered to all units and children in the prison at their cell doors, promoting the library to those unable to attend in person. You will be involved in the delivery of a new Book Club within the prison and delivering individual reading intervention and support. The prison library team works with the wider community within the prison to ensure the development of the children and the safety of all colleagues. Networking is an important part of this role to maintain consistency of service to all units and to be a good ambassador for the library service. This requires an outgoing and confident approach to work to build relationships with the prison community.
About You
You will be adept at providing advice and guidance to children visiting the library on suitable library materials to assist their learning, provide essential support and guidance and encourage the use of the library. Take a positive role in promoting the library service and stock, and ensure the library is well-presented and tidy at all times, with a high standard of display and promotional materials. You will be confident to work flexibly with the team and alone to provide a rota of class visits and to take responsibility for mobile library visits to units to deliver materials and collect requests. You will be required to participate in mandatory, prison provided training and development activities and attend and participate in meetings as required. You will be confident when working in a challenging environment and able to work calmly under pressure. You will be adept at work and dealing with children who have special educational needs. Through tailored individual reading support, you will play an important role in the development of childrenâs confidence and rehabilitation.
If the points below resonate with you, weâd love you to put in an application:
- You have the confidence to face and deal with challenging behaviour head on.
- You can work independently and as part of a small team.
- You are willing to work flexibly and adapt at short notice.
- You are about childrenâs education and rehabilitation.
- Enhanced DBS check is required.
Donât meet every single requirement? We know that sometimes people can be put off applying for a job if they think they canât tick every box. At Hounslow, we realise the âperfect candidateâ doesnât exist. So, if you can do most of what weâre looking for, go ahead and apply. You may be just the right candidate for the job or be perfect for one of our other roles!
When Interviews Will Be Held And Who To Contact
The key information you need about the role should be in the role profile, but if you have any further questions about the role, please contact:
Email: Charlotte.Arthur@hounslow.gov.uk
Telephone: 07970 955 150
Interviews for this job will be held during week commencing 21st July 2025.
Library Assistant - Prison Library Service employer: Hounslow Education Partnership
Contact Detail:
Hounslow Education Partnership Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Library Assistant - Prison Library Service
â¨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of the younger population in a prison setting. Understanding the challenges they face and how a library can support their education and rehabilitation will help you stand out during discussions.
â¨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals who have experience in prison education or library services. Engaging with these individuals can provide valuable insights and may even lead to recommendations that could boost your application.
â¨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your adaptability and ability to handle challenging situations. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed difficult behaviours or worked under pressure, as this is crucial for the role.
â¨Tip Number 4
Show your enthusiasm for promoting literacy and education among young people. Think about creative ways to engage them with reading materials and be ready to discuss these ideas during your interview.
We think you need these skills to ace Library Assistant - Prison Library Service
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Library Assistant position. Highlight key skills such as working with children, providing educational support, and managing library services.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect relevant experience and skills that align with the role. Emphasise any previous work with children, library services, or educational settings, and include specific examples of how you've handled challenging situations.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for education and rehabilitation. Mention your understanding of the unique environment of a prison library and how you can contribute positively to the team and the young population.
Highlight Your Soft Skills: In your application, emphasise soft skills such as communication, adaptability, and teamwork. These are crucial for working in a challenging environment like a prison and will demonstrate your ability to connect with the young library users.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hounslow Education Partnership
â¨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities of a Library Assistant in a prison setting. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experiences align with the specific needs of the role, especially in supporting educational initiatives for young people.
â¨Show Your Passion for Education
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for promoting literacy and education among young people. Share any relevant experiences you have had in educational settings or working with children, particularly those with special educational needs, to highlight your commitment to their development.
â¨Prepare for Challenging Situations
Working in a prison environment can be unpredictable. Think of examples from your past where you've successfully managed challenging behaviour or stressful situations. This will show your ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.
â¨Emphasise Teamwork and Flexibility
Since you'll be part of a small team, it's important to convey your ability to work collaboratively. Be ready to discuss how you adapt to changing circumstances and support your colleagues, as well as your willingness to take on various tasks as needed.
