Job Description

Job title: Careers Adviser (In Custody)Grade: 3Salary: Within a range - £20,663 - £24,983 Responsible to: Head of Careers

Specification:

To work creatively on the National Career Services (NCS) In Custody contract and specifically:

To align NCS provision with other services aimed at supporting offenders/ex offenders into employment and learning. To establish effective working relationships with partners delivering services within the prisons, e.g. Action for Employment, Jobcentre Plus, St Giles’ Trust, Governors and HoLS, as well as partners providing community based services e.g. Voluntary and Community Service (VCS), employers, CRCs, JCP, National Careers Service (community contract).

To positively promote Futures and NCS to adults in custody and to ensure targets are achieved whilst maintaining compliance with the NCS contract and any other funded projects.

To work with serving prisoners in developing clear action plans so they are able and motivated to take part in appropriate education, training and employment opportunities in custody, through the gate and into the community.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. To provide a comprehensive, confidential and impartial careers information and advice service to clients in custody and provide brokerage links between clients and wider community partners.

2. To deliver to agreed individual targets relating to both volumes and quality in line with contract compliance.

3. To liaise with the full range of prison departments and agencies to ensure consistency and accuracy of information that is provided to customers regarding educational and employment opportunities within the prison.

4. To maintain computerised and paper based learner records as required by Futures, HM Prison Service, National Careers Service and the Skills Funding Agency, including internal and external quality monitoring procedures.

5. To liaise with National Careers Service Advisers based in the community and external bodies such as Community Rehabilitation and Jobcentre Plus, to support customers to achieve their employment, career and education aims upon release.

6. To work closely with colleagues in the Learning and Skills Department including tutors, administration staff and manager to ensure the customer progresses onto appropriate learning and training opportunities in relation to their employment, career and education aims.

7. To develop effective communications between the NCS, Learning and Skills Department and HM Prison Service administration departments

8. To promote the National Careers Service to offenders in custody.

9. To identify opportunities to develop work and provide support to manager in winning new contracts.

10. To attend staff meetings held at both individual sites and regionally.

11. To develop and maintain a network of contacts with private, statutory and voluntary organisations and institutions concerned with the provision of local and national education and training opportunities.

12. To adhere to policies and procedures of Futures, the NCS contract and those defined by HM Prison Service including Code of Conduct and Professional Standards.

13. To maintain professional standards and expertise by undertaking relevant professional development and engaging with the Future’s Appraisal Process.

14. To engage in continual quality improvement processes as defined by Futures and to maintain quality standards appropriate to the post working with and updating the requirements of the Matrix Standard.

15. To be responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults wherever applicable within the role of In Custody Adviser.

16. To embrace the use of Information Communication Technology including Virtual Campus where appropriate.

17. To engage in and contribute to the sharing of good practice within individual sites across the regional custodial sites and wider partners both regional and nationally.

COMPANY POLICY

1. To promote and uphold equal opportunities policy and procedures, actively promoting equality and seeking to challenge and overcome disadvantage and discrimination.

2. To develop and maintain own professional knowledge, skills and experience, including formal training, self-development activities and networking with fellow professionals.

3. To ensure that Safeguarding requirements are complied with and where appropriate reported in accordance with agreed criteria.

4. To manage and resolve any client and customer complaints as outlined within the Company’s complaints handling policy and procedures.

5. To ensure the exchange of relevant information between providers and specialists agencies takes place, ensuring a young person is aware of this and that data protection requirements are compiled with.

6. To undertake any necessary administrative duties as required.

7. To take reasonable care for the Heath & Safety of him/herself and of other persons who may be affected by his/her activities and, when appropriate, to safeguard the Health & Safety of all persons under his/her control and guidance in accordance with the provisions of Health & Safety Legislation.

8. To undertake any other duties which may reasonably be regarded as within the scope and responsibilities/grade of the post as defined, subject to the proviso that normally any changes of a permanent nature shall be incorporated into the job description in specific terms.

9. To undertake CPD as part of your personal development and support programme.

10. To ensure a personal commitment to Customer Care and the Company reputation for excellence

Futures Advice, Skills and EmploymentPERSON SPECIFICATION

Job title: Careers Adviser (In Custody)Assessment KeyA = Application Form - Iv = Interview - R = Reference - C = Certificates

(E) Essential (D) Desirable

Method of Assessment A Iv R C

Education/ Ability/Skills

Educated to NVQ 3 Standard & commitment to achieve NVQ3 in Careers Information Advice and Guidance within one year (funded by Futures) ( E) * *

NVQ 3 in Careers Information Advice and Guidance (D) * *

IT Skills – Competent in use of databases, word processing, email and internet *

Work Requirements

Experience of supporting and providing information and advice to clients from a wide variety of economic, cultural and social backgrounds * *

Experience of working with offenders and /or ex offenders ( D) *

Good communication skills with a wide range of people * *

Able to prioritise workload, manage time and work in a target driven environment, whilst maintaining quality standards * * *

Highly self motivated, proactive and enthusiastic * *

Experience of negotiating with partners/networks/other organisations to gain their support and involvement * *

Team Requirements

A positive, approachable team player with a resilient and can do attitude * * *

Reliable and capable of fulfilling the employment contract and possess excellent time keeping skills. * *

Company Requirements

An understanding of equal opportunities and commitment to its promotion and application * *

To promote a positive approach to customer commitment and act as an ambassador for the Company’s reputation for excellence. *

Reliable and capable of fulfilling the employment contract (including good sickness record) other than for legitimate disability absences agreed with the Company

* *

Understanding the objectives and value of delivering IAG within the In-Custody environment *

Able to demonstrate an understanding and on-going commitment to company values *

Able to work cost effectively within funding constraints *

Able to demonstrate a desire and commitment to fulfil your potential *To take responsibility for own CPD and to contribute positively to the CPD of the team. * *

Flexibility in approach to work, work ‘ patch ‘ and working patterns * *

Car owner and driver (suitable adjustments available for recruits with mobility disabilities – if required) *