HMP Veteran Logistics Lead in Sheffield

Veterans into Logistics is a national charity dedicated to preventing and relieving poverty across the British ex-armed forces community by providing funded HGV driver training into logistics careers with our esteemed partners. The Veteran Liaison Lead is a new role that will deliver this pilot project, in collaboration with HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) to support veterans in prison across the North-West of England who are serving their final weeks of sentence, and who wish to enter the logistics sector upon release.

The Veteran Liaison Lead will build trusted relationships in custodial settings, identify eligible veterans, coordinate training plans and ensure each participant receives joined-up support from custody through to employment and beyond to enhance long term outcomes including reducing re-offending and keeping families together.

Role purpose

• Coordinate the end-to-end delivery of the prison-based veteran HGV pathway pilot in the North-West.
• Work in partnership with HMPPS, employers and organisations that support the veteran and remove barriers to employment post prison release whilst reducing recidivism.
• Support veterans to progress from custody into HGV training, interviews, release and sustained work.
• Contribute to a scalable model that can be replicated in other HMPPS regions of the UK if the pilot proves successful.

Key responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with HMPPS, prison education teams, VICSOs, prison offender managers, wing staff and partner charities.
• Identify and engage eligible veterans in custody, delivering information sessions, one-to-one guidance and practical next steps.
• Develop individualised training and employment plans that take account of sentence release dates, licence requirements and readiness for work.
• Coordinate referrals into funded HGV medicals, theory learning, CPC training, practical training and pre-release preparation.
• Support veterans in Category D open prisons to access ROTL opportunities for interviews, training and transition planning where appropriate.
• Support veterans in Category C prisons to complete theory-based learning and prepare efficiently for release and rapid progression from theory tests into practical training.
• Work closely with logistics employers to secure realistic job opportunities, interviews and sustained post-release employment pathways.
• Provide at least 12 months of employability and pastoral support after release, including welfare check-ins, employer liaison and signposting to relevant specialist services.
• Maintain accurate case records, outcome data and monitoring information in line with reporting requirements.
• Represent Veterans into Logistics professionally at meetings, reviews, prison visits, partnership forums and external events.
• Contribute to learning from the pilot so that delivery can be refined and scaled to other prison regions if outcomes are positive.

Working relationships

External: HMPPS, prison governors and staff, VICSOs, prison education teams, probation and community support services, employers, and veteran / charities / organisations including those able to provide accommodation, wellbeing, family or debt support.

Person specification

• Full right to work in the UK
• Experience of working in prisons or with people affected by the justice system
• Comfortable in custodial environments and able to follow prison security procedures
• Strong relationship building skills
• Experience of working with veterans
• Able to engage hard-to-reach individuals with empathy, credibility and professionalism
• Excellent communication and coordination skills
• Knowledge of the logistics / HGV or HMPPS sector
• Able to explain options clearly and guide people through complex processes
• Good IT and record keeping skills
• Flexible approach and willingness to travel extensively across the North-West
• Experience of partnership or project delivery
• Experience of mentoring, coaching or employability support
• Accurate monitoring, reporting and case management
• Able to work independently and manage competing priorities
• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and safeguarding
• Previous experience of multi-agency collaboration
• Confident liaising with prisons, employers and support organisations

What success looks like

• More veterans in prison are identified early and supported into the right pathway.
• Training starts sooner, release is better planned and transition into work is smoother.
• Participants move into employment with greater stability, confidence and purpose.
• The pilot generates evidence that can inform future roll-out across other regions.

Additional information

This role will involve regular travel across the North-West and occasionally outside of the region. A full driving licence and access to a vehicle for business is essential. The postholder must be comfortable working across prison and community settings, with tact, discretion and resilience.