At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide tailored careers advice to offenders, helping them prepare for life after custody.
- Company: Join The Growth Company, dedicated to making a difference in the community.
- Benefits: Full-time role with opportunities for professional development and a diverse work environment.
- Other info: Inclusive recruitment process with guaranteed interviews for diverse candidates.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping individuals transition back into society and reduce re-offending.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 or 4 in Advice and Guidance or equivalent, with a commitment to ongoing learning.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The Growth Company’s (GC) Employment team is currently recruiting two Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) Advisors – in Custody to provide high-quality, labour market-informed careers advice and support. IAG Advisors work with offenders in custody from the start of their sentence, up to preparing for release, with the aim of helping prevent cycles of re‑offending. The advisors help those in custody to set education, skills, and work-related goals, develop employability skills, and search for and apply for jobs as they prepare to transition back into the community. They also work with employers to help offenders increase their knowledge of the labour market and promote more sustained employment outcomes. They work in close partnership with education and training providers and wider rehabilitation services to support sustainable, long-term outcomes and help reduce re‑offending. These roles will be based out of HMP Forest Bank.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver personalised IAG advice that aligns with each customer’s unique needs, promoting career development, independence, and long-term learning or employment outcomes.
- Oversee a varied caseload of customers, working towards performance targets with a focus on securing sustained employment or educational progression.
- Utilise up-to-date labour market intelligence and employer networks to guide customers toward meaningful and lasting job opportunities.
- Establish and nurture productive relationships with key stakeholders, including prison governors, uniformed staff, and partner agencies, to ensure a consistent pipeline of eligible customers.
- Provide flexible, customer‑centred support through platforms such as the Virtual Campus, group workshops, and in‑person sessions.
- Create detailed and impactful action plans for each customer, ensuring initial engagement meets satisfaction benchmarks and sets a clear path forward.
- Work closely with colleagues across mainstream services (e.g. National Careers Service) to enhance tracking of customer outcomes and streamline evidence collection.
- Adhere to all requirements of the Prison Service DPS contract and consistently exceed standards set by the Skills Funding Agency, Ofsted, and Matrix.
About You
- Hold an NVQ Level 3 or 4 in Advice and Guidance, DipCG, or an equivalent qualification, with a commitment to achieving the CDI Licence to Practice.
- Demonstrate the ability to excel in a target-driven environment, consistently working towards positive outcomes for Prison Service customers.
- Confidently use digital platforms and online tools: including the Virtual Campus, to provide accessible and effective IAG services.
Skills Required
- Ideally possess recent experience delivering employment or learning outcomes within a custodial environment, particularly in a performance-driven setting.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals who are currently in custody or have previous offending histories.
- Skilled in providing high-quality one-to-one and group career guidance sessions, consistently achieving at least a Grade 2 standard.
We are currently unable to provide sponsorship for work permits or visas. Therefore, we can only consider candidates who already have the legal right to work in the UK. We are committed to increasing workforce diversity and offer a guaranteed interview to applicants who meet the essential criteria and either have a disability or are from a diverse ethnic community. If this applies to you, you can request consideration under this scheme during the application process. Your request will be shared only with the Hiring Manager and Internal Recruitment Team. We also aim to make our recruitment process inclusive and accessible. If you need reasonable adjustments or have any general enquiries at any stage, please contact careers@growthco.uk or call us on 0161 237 4447.
Meeting the hiring manager or touring the venue in advance. Extra time for tasks. Interview questions shared beforehand. Accessibility software or equipment for assessments.
All GC colleagues will work in line with the Health and Safety at Work Act and the GC Health and Safety Policy.
Key information
- Employer: The Growth Company
- Locations: Salford
- Role Type: Permanent
- Working Hours: Full-Time
More about this role
- Closing Date: Friday 17th July 2026 at 12:00pm
- Would You Consider A Job Share For The Role?: Yes
IAG Advisor - in Custody in Salford employer: Action Together
The Growth Company is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals in custody. With a strong focus on employee development, we offer comprehensive training and support, fostering a collaborative work culture that values diversity and inclusion. Located in Salford, our team enjoys the unique opportunity to contribute to rehabilitation efforts while benefiting from a supportive environment that prioritises personal and professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IAG Advisor - in Custody in Salford
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Action Together.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Action Together!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Action Together, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Action Together or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace IAG Advisor - in Custody in Salford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Action Together:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Action Together! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Action Together
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
