Programmes Facilitator

Location: Based within HMP Forest Bank, Greater Manchester. You may be expected to travel to other services as required, including to Central London Central Office, HMP Altcourse and for in‑person meetings held off site. Hybrid working is permitted with an option of up to 2 days working from home when appropriate. Step Free access is not available at this service.

Salary: £32,000

Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday 07:30 - 17:30. You may be required to work outside these hours as per service and organisational requirements, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays and forming part of the out of hours on call rota for managers.

About the Role

We’re hiring a Safe Ground Programme Facilitator to join our team based at HMP Forest Bank. In this role, you will support men in custody by delivering arts‑based, therapeutically informed group interventions that explore identity, relationships, and behaviour. As a Programme Facilitator, you will support the delivery of Safe Ground’s core programmes, including Fathers Inside and Man Up which have received national recognition being delivered nationally across custodial and community settings. You will work closely with colleagues to facilitate structured group sessions, encourage participant engagement, and ensure sessions are well prepared and consistently delivered. You’ll use creative approaches such as theatre, writing and participatory exercises to help participants reflect and engage in a meaningful way. Working within a remand prison setting, you will need to build trust quickly, respond to complex group dynamics, and maintain clear boundaries in a fast‑paced, unpredictable environment.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Previous experience within a prison or other criminal justice setting and/or within a similar role
• Support delivery of structured group programmes, including Fathers Inside and Man Up
• Leading in facilitating arts-based, therapeutically informed group sessions
• Build rapport and trust with participants, supporting consistent engagement
• Respond appropriately to group dynamics and behaviour in a custodial setting
• Bespoke training and active learning will be provided
• Support session planning, preparation, and coordination of delivery
• Contribute to creative practice through theatre, writing and participatory methods
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to support programme delivery and development
• Adapt to changing operational demands within a remand environment

Why work with Safe Ground Prisons?

At SIG Safe Ground, we do things differently. Safe Ground is an Arts‑based therapeutically informed charity with over 30 years' experience working across the criminal justice system. We support people in custody and their families to build stronger and more fulfilled relationships, reflect on behaviours, and navigate change without shame. Working with Safe Ground means working differently. It’s about meeting people without judgement, holding space for accountability, and using creativity to disrupt cycles of harm. We believe real change happens when people are seen, challenged and supported, even (and especially) inside prison walls.

We are interviewing on an ongoing basis so this job role may close early. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions.

About You

We’re looking for a confident and engaging facilitator who is comfortable working with groups in complex or challenging environments, including men in custody. You will be able to build trust quickly, manage group dynamics, and create a safe and consistent space for participants. You’re calm under pressure, adaptable, and a strong team player with a genuine interest in creative, arts-based approaches. You will be able to work collaboratively as part of a team, and will have alignment with our SIG values. You will be keen to support our participants to achieve their individual goals and support them to be the best versions of themselves.

Qualifications and experience required:

• Essential experience of working within a prison or criminal justice setting, or in a comparable role operating in complex environments.
• Experience facilitating or supporting group work
• Experience working with complex, challenging, or marginalised groups
• Ability to manage behaviour and maintain clear boundaries
• Great organisational skills and ability to support programme delivery
• Ability to engage with people from different backgrounds, build rapport, and empower them to achieve their personal goals; respond flexibly to their needs and working patterns of the participants.
• Interest in working within the criminal justice system and with men in custody
• Ability to use, learn and adapt to IT at an intermediate level, including Microsoft and other software programs
• Interest or experience in creative/arts-based approaches (e.g. theatre, writing)
• Understanding of the different needs people with multiple and complex needs have and be aware of the social marginalisation that can be attached to people who face personal challenges
• Alignment with our values of Ambition, Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Transparency

What we Offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Employer Pension Contribution
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Access to discounted tickets for music events, shows, sports and more
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing at work
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• EDI Ambassador programme

About Social Interest Group (SIG)

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop‑in centres, community floating support settings, probation settings, and hospitals. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, Kent and Liverpool. Our goal is to transform lives through empowering change. We believe good care and support improves lives with the vision to create healthier, safer, and more inclusive communities.

Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets.

Additional Information

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages. Please note that as part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check, some roles may require further vetting. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds.

If you have any questions regarding this, please contact us on the details below. For recruitment related enquiries, or if you need support with making your application for example due to learning needs or a disability, please email recruitment@socialinterestgroup.org.uk or call our central office on 020 3668 9270 to request a call back. Please note that this will take you through to our Central Administration team, who will then communicate your enquiry with us and we will arrange to call you back.