We are delighted to be recruiting a Trainee Careers Adviser to support the delivery of the Prisons contract across Kent, East Sussex and Surrey, supporting the Area Manager to ensure a high standard of service is maintained.

As a Trainee Careers Adviser, you will be responsible for supporting prison residents to ensure they have a structured pathway of education, work and training during their stay in custody.

You will undertake the level 4 qualification in Careers Information & Advice and complete the training and assignments within the given timescale so you are able to provide a high qualify impartial Careers Advice and guidance that best reflects individuals’ needs and circumstances.

Based at HMP Elmley, the successful candidate will have the ability to motivate and build rapport with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and can be non-judgemental. Excellent organisational and communication skills are also essential, as this post will involve working in partnership with other key prison partners in order to support residents during the induction process and for the length of their sentence.

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and dedicated individual with a genuine desire to grow and develop as a Careers Adviser and who wants to join an organisation that improves the lives of more than 300,000 individuals every year.

As a Trainee Careers Adviser you will benefit from a comprehensive 18 month training programme where you will:

Benefit from extensive work shadowing and practical experience within a team of experienced advisers
Receive training in the delivery of group work and the delivery of interview skills
Be supported to get to know the needs of our customers and the partners we work with
About You

You are:

Organised with excellent attention to detail
An excellent communicator – both written and verbal – with a high level of accuracy in numeracy and literacy
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and quick to understand internal software packages.
An adaptable team player – passionate about providing a consistently excellent service
Hard working, with a positive attitude
Have Maths and English GCSE grade C/4 or above (or equivalent)

About Us

CXK is a leading charity that empowers young people and adults to build the skills and confidence they need to move into sustainable education, employment or training. Each year we make a difference to more than 300,000 people across the South of England.

CXK delivers careers information, advice and guidance (IAG) services in ten prisons across Kent, Surrey and East Sussex: supporting prison residents with a structured pathway of education, work and training during their stay in custody.
Prison residents are provided with professional and impartial careers information, advice and guidance delivered by qualified careers advisers. A Personal Learning Plan (PLP) is produced for every resident of the prison, which identifies short, medium, and long-term skills and targets for the resident to achieve. This plan is influenced by the individual’s career aspirations and the opportunities for work in their local establishment.

Main Responsibilities

Be responsible for the delivery of a high quality IAG service in one or more prisons.
Work with the prison staff to manage, mentor and support a caseload of peer workers, delivering inspirational IAG in both 1:1 and group sessions as required.
Deliver approximately 25% of the Personal Learning Plans in the prison and work with the prison to ensure the delivery of the remainder through trained peer workers.
Work with the Prison to recruit peer workers to deliver the service to individuals when they enter prison and then at appropriate points throughout.
Coach and support a team of peer workers to ensure effective and high-quality delivery to individuals.
Work with the education provider to ensure that all appropriate individuals are provided with the service as part of their induction process.

In return for your skills and experience, you’ll receive the following benefits:

An annual salary of £22,322 (pro rata) rising to £24,648(pro rata) upon successful completion of qualification
28-31 days holiday, plus bank holidays (pro rata)
Defined contribution pension scheme (matched by CXK up to 10% depending on length of service)
Death in service life assurance policy (3 x annual salary)
Flexible working
Generous sick leave benefits
Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
Comprehensive training and development programmes
Mental health first aiders
Cycle to work scheme
Interest free season ticket loans
Interest free parking permit loans
Health Assured – Employee Assistance Programme

To apply for this role all you need to do is visit our website download, complete and upload the CXK application form. Please note that CVs alone will not be considered.

**Please note that we reserve the right close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as soon as possible**