At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead support for neurodivergent prisoners, enhancing their education and work pathways.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to inclusivity and rehabilitation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Empower individuals and transform lives through innovative support strategies.
- Qualifications: Experience in neurodiversity or special educational needs is essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The post holder will be responsible for leading on supporting prisoners with needs arising from neurodivergence. Developing and implementing, through close collaboration with stakeholders, a 'whole system' principle is of paramount importance, with the focus firmly on supporting individuals to achieve and progress through Education, Skills and Work pathways throughout their sentence. The Neurodiversity Support Manager (NSM) will liaise with the Head of Education Skills and Work (HoESW), Learning and Skills Manager (LSM), Industry Managers (IMs), Activity Managers (AM) and the education provider to ensure prisoners are supported to engage with education skills and work or not, and that they continue to be supported in the community, including by the probation teams. The post holder will provide support and guidance to ensure that all staff and stakeholders share the same vision and ethos of neurodiversity. The post holder will ensure that actions across education, skills and work (ESW) within their prison support a whole prison improvement approach which supports wider improvements across the estate. This is a non-rotational, non-operational job with no line management responsibilities.
Responsibilities, Activities and Duties
- Focus on improving and ensuring that the quality of neurodiversity support and provision is at least good and moving towards outstanding. This includes assessment of quality to inform the prison education, skills and work improvement plan which can be applied across various learning channels, e.g. classroom, industries, work areas, workshops, gym etc.
- Develop and maintain neurodiversity needs strategy for the prison, incorporating and working with key stakeholders.
- Develop and maintain the systems and structures to ensure that delivery of all Education, Skills and Work activity is appropriate to all cohorts.
- Manage the collection and collating of data on neurodiversity at local level.
- Track the progress of neurodivergent prisoners in education, learning and work.
- Case manage prisoners who require additional support to access education, skills and work opportunities within the prison.
- Ensure that the needs of neurodivergent prisoners are considered in terms of availability of activities, appropriate adaptations and reasonable adjustment as required.
- Raise awareness of Neurodiversity in the prison.
- Work with key stakeholders to ensure that neurodivergent prisoners receive the support and advice that they need to help them prepare for a release into the community.
Essential Experience
- Experience of operating in a specialist neurodiversity role.
- Experience of working within the Special Educational Needs/ Additional Learning Needs and Disabilities field.
- Detailed knowledge of OFSTED/Estyn's EIF (Education Inspection Framework) and further education and skills criteria.
- Substantial teaching experience that has developed a range of strategies for developing accessible and appropriate resources to match the specific learning needs of individuals/ cohorts of learner.
- History of developing highly effective partnerships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Worked in a complex multi‑agency operational setting to achieve mutual outcomes.
- Experience of setting goals and achieving targets.
- Experience of implementing change, preferably within an educational setting.
- Evidence of innovation and impact in an educational context.
Technical Requirements
- Essential Qualifications: PGCE, Cert Ed or Level 5 in Education and Training. Level 4 Certificate in Supporting the learning of learners with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)/Additional Learning Needs (ALN).
- Desirable Qualifications: Level 4 TAQA qualifications in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes or equivalent, Level 7 Diploma in Assessing and Teaching Learners with Dyslexia, Specific Learning Differences and Barriers to Literacy.
Ability
- Strong written and excellent verbal and non‑verbal communication skills.
- Knowledge and use of the Microsoft suite of packages particularly Word, Excel, Project and PowerPoint.
All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post. All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS.
Neurodiversity Support Manager in Worksop employer: Ministry of Justice
As a Neurodiversity Support Manager, you will join a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment for prisoners with neurodivergent needs. Our commitment to employee development is reflected in our supportive work culture, where collaboration with key stakeholders is encouraged, and innovative strategies are implemented to enhance educational outcomes. Located within a dynamic prison setting, this role offers unique opportunities to make a meaningful impact while benefiting from a comprehensive support system and professional growth pathways.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Neurodiversity Support Manager in Worksop
✨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 Ministry of Justice.
✨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 Ministry of Justice!
✨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 Ministry of Justice, 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 Ministry of Justice 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 Neurodiversity Support Manager in Worksop
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 Ministry of Justice:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Ministry of Justice! 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 Ministry of Justice
✨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.
