At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in overcoming barriers to education and employment, guiding them towards positive futures.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at HMP Lancaster Farms making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full training, and ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working across custodial and community locations with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on lives while working in a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with disadvantaged groups and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 27015 - 30612 £ per year.
Location: HMP Lancaster Farms
Salary: 27,015 - 30,612 per annum (dependent on experience)
Contract Type: Full-Time
Working Hours: Monday to Friday
About the Role
We are seeking an enthusiastic, proactive and compassionate Prison Employment Advisor to support the delivery of the Creating Future Opportunities (CFO) Evolution programme. This rewarding role supports individuals serving custodial and community-based sentences to overcome barriers to education, training and employment, helping them build positive futures and reduce reoffending. Working within prison and community settings, you will engage with participants on a one-to-one and group basis, providing tailored support, guidance and motivation throughout their journey towards sustainable employment and improved life chances. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about supporting disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals and who wants to make a meaningful difference within local communities.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a caseload of participants, supporting them into quality learning, training and employment opportunities.
- Conduct initial assessments to identify participant needs and barriers.
- Develop personalised action plans and programmes of support.
- Provide ongoing one-to-one guidance, coaching and mentoring.
- Deliver group workshops and employability-related activities.
- Support participants through the gate from custody into the community, ensuring smooth transitions and continuity of support.
- Maintain regular contact with participants, including providing in-work support where appropriate.
Engagement and Partnership Working
- Promote the CFO Evolution programme within prisons, probation services and partner organisations.
- Generate referrals and encourage engagement with programme activities.
- Develop and maintain effective relationships with prisons, probation practitioners, subcontractors and community partners.
- Source new learning, training and employment opportunities for participants.
- Facilitate access to community-based activity hubs and external support services.
Performance and Quality
- Work towards and achieve individual and team performance targets across a range of key performance indicators.
- Maintain accurate and timely case records using the CATS case management system and other databases.
- Collect and record evidence to support participant outcomes and contract requirements.
- Ensure all risk assessment information is obtained, recorded and shared appropriately.
- Deliver services in accordance with quality standards, contractual requirements and organisational procedures.
Professional Responsibilities
- Attend training, supervision and development activities as required.
- Maintain current knowledge of offender management services, employability provision and local support services.
- Share relevant participant information with prison and probation practitioners in line with information-sharing protocols.
- Contribute to the development of new resources, group activities and service improvements.
Person Specification
Essential Knowledge and Experience
- Understanding of His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and the wider Criminal Justice System.
- Knowledge of social exclusion, disadvantage and barriers to employment.
- Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion principles.
- Experience of working with offenders, vulnerable adults or disadvantaged groups in custody and/or community settings.
- Experience of delivering training, workshops, presentations or group sessions.
- Experience of supporting individuals into employment, training, education or positive progression opportunities.
Skills and Abilities
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a non-judgemental and supportive approach.
- Ability to build positive relationships and motivate individuals to achieve their goals.
- Strong organisational and time management skills with the ability to manage a varied caseload.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a wider team.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate record keeping.
- Ability to achieve performance targets and manage competing priorities.
- Confident using databases, case management systems, Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook.
Qualifications
- Relevant qualification at Level 3 or above, or significant relevant work experience.
Other Requirements
- Willingness to work flexibly across custodial and community locations.
- Ability to travel across the delivery area as required.
- Commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality, equality and professional standards.
- Comfortable working within a prison environment and adhering to security procedures.
What We're Looking For
- Confident, proactive and resilient.
- Passionate about helping people overcome barriers and achieve positive outcomes.
- A strong communicator with the ability to engage individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Committed to delivering high-quality support services.
- Motivated by making a tangible difference to individuals, families and communities.
What We Offer
- Full training and support to help you succeed in the role.
- Ongoing professional development opportunities.
- The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on people's lives and support successful resettlement outcomes.
- A supportive and collaborative working environment.
Prison employment advisor in Burnley employer: Service Care Solutions
As a Prison Employment Advisor at HMP Lancaster Farms, you will join a dedicated team committed to transforming lives through the Creating Future Opportunities programme. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth and collaboration, providing you with comprehensive training and ongoing development opportunities to enhance your skills. By working in this impactful role, you will not only contribute to reducing reoffending but also experience the unique advantage of making a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals within the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Prison employment advisor in Burnley
✨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 Service Care Solutions.
✨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 Service Care Solutions!
✨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 Service Care Solutions, 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 Service Care Solutions 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 Prison employment advisor in Burnley
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 Service Care Solutions:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Service Care Solutions! 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 Service Care Solutions
✨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.
