At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the delivery of a library service and foster a positive reading culture in prison.
- Company: HMP/YOI Chelmsford, a dynamic environment focused on rehabilitation.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, discounts, and health support.
- Other info: Full training provided; excellent learning and development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in prisoners' lives through literacy and education.
- Qualifications: Empathy, resilience, and experience with filing systems and MS Office.
The predicted salary is between 25081 - 27653 £ per year.
Prison Library Assistant - HMP/YOI Chelmsford
Fixed Term, Part Time
£25,959 up tp £28,621 per annum (full-time equivalent)
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style: Fixed-base worker
Please note that this is an Annualised 130 Hour Fixed Term Contract opportunity for a period of 12 months.
Hours will be worked across the following days and times: Monday-Thursday 8.00am-5.00pm.
Actual earnings £13.46- £14.84 per hour.
Interviews will be held Tuesday 29th September 2026.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.
Interviews will be conducted face to face at HMP Chelmsford Prison. Entry to the prison will involve adhering to strict security procedures, you will be required to bring photo ID to ensure entry.
To read more about our business area, please visit: Place and Customer
The Opportunity:
HM Prison and Young Offenders Institution (YOI) Chelmsford is a Category B facility in Chelmsford, Essex. It houses adult male prisoners and young offenders, mainly serving the local courts. The prison offers a range of educational and rehabilitation programmes, such as literacy, numeracy, and vocational training, all designed to support rehabilitation and reduce reoffending.
We are currently recruiting an annualised hours Prison Library Assistant to support the delivery of a prison library service within the unique environment of HMP/YOI Chelmsford. This role involves working closely with prisoners, understanding their unique needs, and fostering a positive reading culture within the prison.
As part of a dynamic team, the Prison Library Assistant will handle library, administrative, and support activities, proactively managing their workload and using personal judgement to resolve issues. The successful candidate will demonstrate empathy, strong personal integrity, and diligence, and will be committed to providing excellent customer service. You will play a crucial role in encouraging prisoners to engage with reading, which can be a vital part of their rehabilitation.
Accountabilities:
- Support the Prison Library Manager to deliver a library service to HMP/YOI as laid out in the Service Level Agreement, together with added value activities such as Storybook Dads, Reading Ahead and Family Library Times, which support improved literacy, health and wellbeing and family cohesion.
- Deliver Rhymetimes in the prison library for prisoners children.
- Provide effective, high-quality support, advice, and guidance to Prisoner Orderlies on basic library procedures.
- Responsible for dealing with subject knowledge-based queries and activities.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues, to drive the delivery of productivity and continuous improvement across customer processes.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues to understand customer needs, resolving them promptly and providing them with a service they value.
- Collate relevant information from a variety of sources to ensure that enquiries can be resolved in a timely fashion.
What's in it for you?
- Wide range of learning and development opportunities
- 26 days annual leave pro rata + bank holidays + choice to buy extra annual leave.
- Generous Local Government Defined Benefit pension scheme.
- Access to hundreds of discounts and benefits through Essex Rewards
- Access to our health and wellbeing support platform with Vita Health Group
- Up to 4 days per annum volunteering leave
- Cycle to Work Scheme
The Experience You Will Bring:
Essential:
- Experience of working with offenders, or vulnerable people in a professional capacity.
- Ability to undertake all the aspects of the role, including distribution of library books across all wings and floors. The prison is a Victorian building and there are a number of steps and heavy doors, with no lifts.
Desirable:
- Demonstrable experience and competence of MS Office and their practical application, with the ability to use computerised systems with a high level of speed and accuracy.
- Library experience.
Please note all offers are subject to the completion of Essex County Council compliance and HMP Prison vetting.
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we're committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
In March 2026, the Government announced that councils in Greater Essex will be reorganised into five new unitary authorities from April 2028. In addition to this, Greater Essex has been accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority. You can read more about these changes, and what this may mean for this role, on our careers site.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you've secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk
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Prison Library Assistant - HMP/YOI Chelmsford employer: Essex County Council
Essex County Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values empathy and teamwork. As a Library Customer Experience Champion, you will have the opportunity to engage with diverse communities while benefiting from professional development and training in a dynamic environment. The council promotes a flexible approach to work, ensuring that employees can thrive and grow in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Prison Library Assistant - HMP/YOI Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the prison environment before your interview. Familiarise yourself with HMP/YOI Chelmsford and its library services. This will help you show genuine interest and understanding during your interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your empathy skills! Think about how you can connect with prisoners and support their unique needs. Being able to demonstrate this during your interview will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the security procedures at the prison. Make sure you have your photo ID ready and understand what to expect on the day of your interview. This shows you're responsible and ready for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Prison Library Assistant - HMP/YOI Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Prison Library Assistant. We want to see how you can contribute to fostering a positive reading culture and supporting prisoners' unique needs.
Show Your Empathy:In your written application, demonstrate your understanding of the challenges faced by prisoners. We value empathy and personal integrity, so share any relevant experiences that showcase your ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. This will help us quickly understand your qualifications and how you can support our library service effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at HMP/YOI Chelmsford.
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Know the Environment
Before your interview, take some time to understand the unique environment of a prison library. Familiarise yourself with the challenges and needs of the prisoners you’ll be working with. This will help you demonstrate empathy and awareness during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience with electronic filing systems and MS Office. Prepare specific examples of how you've used these skills in previous roles, especially in challenging environments. This will show that you can handle the administrative side of the job effectively.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Collaboration is key in this role. Think of examples where you've worked as part of a team to achieve a common goal. Highlight how you can contribute to a positive reading culture and support your colleagues in delivering excellent service.
✨Prepare for Security Procedures
Since entry to the prison involves strict security checks, make sure you have your photo ID ready. Also, consider discussing how you would handle any potential issues that may arise while adhering to these procedures, showing your ability to remain calm and professional under pressure.
