At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families visiting loved ones in a welcoming environment and provide essential information.
- Company: Pact is dedicated to supporting families affected by imprisonment, fostering a compassionate community.
- Benefits: Enjoy perks like free counselling, generous leave, and opportunities for personal development.
- Other info: Pact values diversity and encourages applications from all, including those with criminal convictions.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive and dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Empathy, organisational skills, and some IT knowledge are key; experience with diverse backgrounds is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Are you a real 'people person'? Are you a quick learner who's organised and keen to help out? Well, you might just be the person we need. Read on...
As a Pact Visits Centre Assistant, you will provide support to families visiting loved ones. You will work as one of the family team based primarily in the prison's visitor centre, but also across the visits hall, play area, booking line and tea bar to provide a safe and welcoming environment, and provide advice, support and information to friends and families visiting the prison.
About You:
To be successful in this role you will have empathy and understanding of working with families in challenging circumstances, ideally involving prisoners and/or their families. You will also have excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage a demanding workload. You will support colleagues in Pact’s family work, have some IT skills and may even have knowledge of safeguarding/child protection. You’ll be used to dealing with people from all sorts of backgrounds and working in partnership with different agencies and organisations. In short, you’re a real 'people person' who will roll their sleeves up, work hard and add value to the visits centre team in any way that’s needed.
What Pact Offer:
Pact offer a wide range of employee benefits including free confidential advice and counselling service, cycle to work scheme, life assurance, eye care vouchers, generous annual leave plus more. You will have the opportunity to attend internal training events to further develop yourself as an effective support worker and you will undergo a thorough induction process and be supported by a friendly and enthusiastic team.
How to apply:
If you feel you meet the requirements of this post please complete an application form by clicking the 'apply now' button. Please note: early application is recommended as we assess applications on receipt and reserve the right to close early if we receive sufficient applications.
Other information:
Pact is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all applications including those with a criminal conviction (appointment to post is subject to a risk assessment).
Working Pattern:
Week 1 Sat/Sun Week 2 Wed/Thur/Fri
This post is subject to a 6-month probationary period, verification of identity and proven right to work in the UK, satisfactory references from previous employers covering a 3-year period, declaration of any unspent criminal convictions (and where appropriate a satisfactory risk assessment), Prison Vetting and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. Please note that being bankrupt or having County Court Judgments may affect your ability to be successfully vetted to work in a prison.
Visits Centre Assistant - 34 hrs in Birmingham employer: Prison Advice and Care Trust
Pact is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff, offering a supportive work culture where empathy and teamwork are at the forefront. With a range of benefits including free counselling services, generous annual leave, and opportunities for professional growth through training, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of families visiting loved ones in challenging circumstances. Located within a prison environment, this role provides a unique chance to contribute positively to the community while working alongside a dedicated and enthusiastic team.
Contact Details:
Prison Advice and Care Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Visits Centre Assistant - 34 hrs in Birmingham
✨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 Prison Advice and Care Trust.
✨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 Prison Advice and Care Trust!
✨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 Prison Advice and Care Trust, 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 Prison Advice and Care Trust 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 Visits Centre Assistant - 34 hrs in Birmingham
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 Prison Advice and Care Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Prison Advice and Care Trust! 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 Prison Advice and Care Trust
✨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.
