Information Advice and Guidance Worker

Job Introduction

Due to an expansion of the business, HMP Bronzefield are currently recruiting for an Information Advice and Guidance Worker.

As an Information Advice and Guidance Worker, you will provide on-going information, advice and guidance for an identified caseload of learners and deliver Education Induction to new learners, including supporting learners through relevant assessments.

We house up to 572 women (approximately 14.5% of the national female prison population). The women in our custody have a diverse and complex set of needs and range from mothers and babies, young offenders, life and long term sentenced women, short to mid-term sentenced women, foreign nationals and women on remand. HMP/YOI Bronzefield is a closed local prison serving courts across the South of England. Our mission is to deliver quality of life services which make a meaningful difference to women in the criminal justice system by supporting them to change their lives for the better. To achieve this we focus on providing needs-based services and programmes to rehabilitate and improve the well-being of our women. 

We have been awarded a bronze accreditation by Investors in People for our commitment to our staff, their development, engagement and investment in a sustainable future.

Role Responsibility

• Provide on-going information, advice and guidance for an identified caseload of learners.
• Deliver Education Induction to new learners, including supporting learners through relevant assessments.
• Meet with learners on an individual basis to review their Learning and Skills Plan at the end of each course.
• Be responsible for the completion of each resident’s person’s Individual Learning Plan coordinating progress with teaching and support staff.
• Lead on the education review process by setting SMART targets, to ensure plans remain relevant and focussed on achievement and resettlement.
• Support the monitoring of attendance, access to education working in collaboration with teaching staff, specialist SEN support team and custodial staff.
• Support learner access to education on Outreach and ensure students have appropriate IAG to facilitate progression and employability..
• Work with learners on a 1:1 or group settings to develop their skills and help them overcome barriers to their learning and progress.
• Support the development of personal and social skills to maximise work readiness and employability e.g. CV writing, interview techniques, communication skills, job applications.
• Implement measures supporting learners to stay on course and take appropriate action where required.
• Work closely and liaise with internal stakeholders and the SEN & Inclusion Development Lead, in developing education support and opportunities in conjunction for individual young people, to enable a holistic approach relevant to the young people.
• Work alongside inductions to emphasise the importance of education and put progression plans in places for all residents working alongside the IOMU caseworker
• Support the library by working one in 3 Saturdays and 1 or 2 evenings per week.

The Ideal Candidate

• NVQ Level 4 qualification in Information, Advice and Guidance (or equivalent) as a minimum
• Experience of working with young people and adults with varying levels of abilities in an educational setting.
• Experience of working with disaffected young people in an educational or secure environment
• Experience of developing and maintaining effective relationships with children and young people with a wide range of additional needs
• Experience of working or liaising with a range of support agencies.
• Knowledge of the Youth Justice System
• Ability to prioritise tasks and workloads in order to meet deadlines and achieve targets
• Open minded and positive attitude, with the ability to co-ordinate, enthuse and motivate
• Knowledge of curriculums and education timetables
• Ideal experience of custodial settings
• Understanding of diverse groups
• Ability to be flexible and have a dynamic approach to delivery

Package Description

37.5 hours per week

£26,000 per annum (inclusive of London weighting)

Excellent benefits including season ticket loans, free meals, free parking, subsidised gym membership, group discount schemes and pension.

For more information on Sodexo Careers and Sodexo Justice please visit Sodexo Careers and Careers in Justice

About the Company

Sodexo Justice aims to change lives for the better by reducing reoffending and improving the quality of life for those under our supervision and in our care. We deliver safe, effective and innovative custodial and community rehabilitation services that challenge offending behaviour, protect the public and offer individuals the opportunity to change their lives for the better. We deliver the total operation of five prisons within the UK and own six Community Rehabilitation Companies in partnership with crime reduction charity Nacro.

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs some 35,000 employees to deliver integrated facilities management services to clients at over 2,000 locations in the corporate, healthcare, education, leisure, defence and justice sectors. With an annual turnover of over £1bn, we provide everything from catering, cleaning and reception to security, laboratory and grounds maintenance services, enabling our clients to focus on their core business.

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults within a regulated activity. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and/ or Disclosure Scotland.

Please note all roles within Sodexo Justice are subject to security and recruitment checks which may include a Social Media Check. You will also be asked to provide 3 years’ worth of references and request employment history details from the HMRC.