At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families during visits with compassion and organisation in a prison environment.
- Company: Join the Connections Team at HMP Millsike, making a real difference.
- Benefits: Flexible working, training opportunities, wellbeing days, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Evening and weekend shifts required; great for those seeking flexible hours.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact while gaining valuable experience in a supportive role.
- Qualifications: Customer-facing or administrative experience, strong communication skills, teamwork ability.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 28000 £ per year.
About The Role
Make a Meaningful Impact Every Day – you will support families and individuals during challenging times with compassion, organisation and teamwork. The position is for a Prison Visits Centre Reception Worker in the Connections Team at HMP Millsike.
Key Responsibilities
- Greet and register visitors, ensuring punctuality and accurate documentation
- Create a calm, supportive reception environment to reduce visitor anxiety
- Provide practical advice, emotional support, and signposting to relevant services
- Collaborate with Family & Relationship Practitioners and external agencies
- Maintain confidentiality and uphold security protocols
- Manage the Visits Helpline and respond to enquiries promptly
- Keep the reception area clean, organised, and stocked with resources
- Serve refreshments and assist with special visits or family events
Partnership & Collaboration
- Work closely with prison security staff to ensure safe and smooth visits
- Support multi-disciplinary team meetings and safeguarding discussions
- Liaise with external agencies to provide holistic support to visitors
Continuous Improvement & Safeguarding
- Collect visitor feedback to improve service delivery
- Monitor visitor flow and report operational issues
- Stay up-to-date through training and development
- Ensure all activities comply with safeguarding and security policies
Administration & Flexibility
- Maintain accurate visitor logs and incident reports
- Handle calls and enquiries related to visits
- Support a clean, welcoming reception space
- Flexibility required, including evenings and weekends
Requirements
- Experience in a customer-facing or administrative role
- Excellent communication and organisational skills
- Capability to work independently and as part of a team
- Knowledge of safeguarding and security procedures a plus
Other Conditions
The position will include evening and weekend working. This job is subject to enhanced DBS and Prison Vetting; a start date will not be confirmed until this has been completed.
Benefits
- Flexible working
- Training and development opportunities
- Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
- Season Ticket Loan Scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Crisis Loan Scheme
- Electric Car Scheme
- 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata for part-time employees)
- Access to Blue Light Card
- 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
- Contributory Pension Scheme – employer matched contributions up to 6% in the first two years and up to 9% thereafter
- Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
- Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)
Visits Receptionist - HMP Millsike employer: Forward Trust
Contact Detail:
Forward Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Visits Receptionist - HMP Millsike
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the role inside out! Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and requirements listed in the job description. This way, when you get the chance to chat with the hiring team, you can show off your knowledge and enthusiasm for the position.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at HMP Millsike through LinkedIn or other platforms. They can give you insider tips on what it’s really like working there and might even put in a good word for you!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to customer service and teamwork. Think about examples from your past experiences that highlight your skills in these areas. We want you to shine when it’s your turn to impress!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Visits Receptionist - HMP Millsike
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 Visits Receptionist. We want to see how you can make a meaningful impact in supporting families during challenging times.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves a lot of interaction with visitors, it's crucial to demonstrate your excellent communication abilities. Use clear and concise language in your application to reflect how you would engage with visitors at HMP Millsike.
Highlight Teamwork Experience: We value collaboration, so be sure to mention any past experiences where you've worked as part of a team. This will show us that you can effectively support multi-disciplinary efforts and work closely with others in a busy environment.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Forward Trust
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the job description. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, especially around supporting families and managing the reception area. This will help you demonstrate how your skills align with what they’re looking for.
✨Showcase Your Empathy
As a Visits Receptionist, compassion is key. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've provided emotional support or helped someone in a challenging situation. This will show that you can create a calm and supportive environment for visitors.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Collaboration
This role involves working closely with various teams and external agencies. Be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully collaborated in previous roles. Mention specific instances where teamwork led to positive outcomes, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect situational questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle stress. Think about how you would manage a busy reception area or deal with a difficult visitor. Practising these scenarios can help you respond confidently during the interview.