At a Glance
- Tasks: Support neurodivergent individuals in prison by training staff and improving access to education and work.
- Company: Join the HM Prison & Probation Service, committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team dedicated to enhancing rehabilitation and support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of neurodivergent prisoners and promote positive change.
- Qualifications: Experience in support roles and a passion for improving lives is essential.
The predicted salary is between 42817 - 42817 £ per year.
NSM Overview
Neurodivergent individuals are overrepresented in the criminal justice system (CJS). Evidence suggests that half of the adult prison population can be expected to have needs arising from neurodivergence, compared with just 15‑20% of the general population. Despite a sizeable proportion of our prison population being likely to have needs arising from neurodivergence, HMIP (2021) identified significant gaps in the support available for neurodivergent people in prison.
To improve support, the Rehabilitation and Change Directorate (previously the Reducing Reoffending Directorate) introduced the Band 6 Neurodiversity Support Manager (NSM). NSMs have been recruited across the prison service, across both the English and Welsh estates. The latest update from HMIP (2025) highlights the successes and challenges of the role so far.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide training and guidance to prison staff to equip them to better support neurodivergent individuals and improve processes to identify and support prisoners, ensuring they can access education, skills and work opportunities within the prison.
- Develop and maintain a neurodiversity needs strategy for the prison, incorporating and working with key stakeholders.
- Develop and maintain the systems and structures to ensure delivery of all Education, Skills and Work activity is appropriate to all cohorts, and recommend and test related solutions leading into an improvement plan in collaboration with the Senior Management Team (SMT).
- Collect and collate data on neurodiversity at local level, continually analysing and evaluating current practice for how neurodiversity provision is tailored to a wide range of prisoners, including those who are hard to reach, vulnerable, or whose first language is not English.
- Track progress of neurodivergent prisoners in education, learning and work, analyse data, identify participation and achievement gaps, and address these.
- Case‑manage prisoners who require additional support to access education, skills and work opportunities, ensuring individual prisoners’ neurodiversity‑related information is shared appropriately and lawfully with relevant prison teams.
- Ensure that the needs of neurodivergent prisoners are considered in terms of activity availability, appropriate adaptations and reasonable adjustments, working with the Learning and Skills Manager, Activities and Industries Managers.
- Raise awareness of neurodiversity in the prison through up‑skilling the workforce, full staff briefings, internal communications and 1‑2‑1 processes.
- Work with key stakeholders to ensure that neurodivergent prisoners receive the support and advice they need to prepare for release into the community.
Key Behaviours
- Changing and Improving
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
Nationality Requirements
- UK nationals
- Nationalities of the Republic of Ireland
- Commonwealth nationals who have the right to work in the UK
- Nationalities of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals and certain family members of Turkish nationals who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
- The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
- Recruitment is by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission\'s recruitment principles.
- The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities.
- We run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
- The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
- The Civil Service is committed to attracting, retaining and investing in talent wherever it is found.
- See the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for more information.
Candidate Requirements
- Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
- People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.
Benefits
- Salary of £42,817
- HM Prison & Probation Service contributes £12,404 towards a Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
- Access to learning and development.
- Flexible working options to enhance work‑life balance.
- Inclusive working culture and diversity support.
- Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
- Annual leave and public holidays.
- Season ticket advance.
For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please see the Candidate Information Page: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ
Neurodiversity Support Manager (Ref: 9554) in Belmont employer: HM Prison and Probation Service
As a Neurodiversity Support Manager within the HM Prison & Probation Service, you will be part of a dedicated team committed to improving the lives of neurodivergent individuals in the criminal justice system. Our inclusive work culture prioritises diversity and offers extensive training and development opportunities, ensuring that you can grow professionally while making a meaningful impact. With flexible working options and a generous pension scheme, we provide a supportive environment where your contributions are valued and recognised.
Contact Details:
HM Prison and Probation Service Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Neurodiversity Support Manager (Ref: 9554) in Belmont
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
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We think you need these skills to ace Neurodiversity Support Manager (Ref: 9554) in Belmont
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 HM Prison and Probation Service:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to HM Prison and Probation Service! 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 HM Prison and Probation Service
✨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.
