At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in overcoming barriers to education and employment, making a real difference.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at HMP Lancaster Farms focused on community impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full training, and ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working across custodial and community settings with a supportive team.
- Why this job: Be a part of transforming lives and reducing reoffending in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable groups and a passion for helping others succeed.
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 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. We offer a supportive and collaborative work culture, with full training and ongoing professional development opportunities that empower you to make a meaningful impact on individuals' futures. Located within a dynamic prison environment, this role provides a unique chance to engage with diverse participants and contribute to their successful resettlement into the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Prison employment advisor
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Service Care Solutions.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Service Care Solutions.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Service Care Solutions.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Service Care Solutions. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Prison employment advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Service Care Solutions. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Prison employment advisor, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Service Care Solutions
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Service Care Solutions. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!