Library Clerk

Job Introduction

HMP Peterborough are currently recruiting for a Library Clerk to provide a range of reading and reference material to offenders in custody based on analysis of requirements, in order to contribute to their resettlement needs and support identified learning opportunities.

HMP/YOI Peterborough is the country’s only purpose-built prison for both male and female prisoners (kept separate at all times), including a 12-place mother and baby unit. We are committed to offering education and development programmes to provide residents with the skills required to enter employment on release, so reducing the chances of further offending. Providing creative outlets, such as workshop activities, helps to equip those in custody for when they are released. We use ‘Restorative Approaches’ to bring people in conflict into dialogue. Using a skilled and structured process, those who have been harmed have an opportunity to be heard and those that have caused the harm are held to account for what they have done. We have strong links with the community outside through a variety of partnerships, including our outreach activity Outside Links’ offering support and advice to both residents and their families.

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

Role Responsibility

• Work effectively and efficiently with the Learning & Skills and regime delivery teams to produce an innovative and stimulating library experience for all
• Create and maintain a profile of the prison population and its library, reading and information needs.
• Develop the library learning and information service in relation to the population profile
• Provide trolley services to various areas in the prison to issue and collect stock
• Provide ad hoc support for offenders engaged in learning and contribute to prisoners individual learning plans and records of achievement
• Provide a request service, drawing on external sources of supply as necessary
• Establish a stock of materials that reflect the prisoner population. Ensuring the service meets the needs of ethnic minority groups, the visually impaired and those with reading difficulties
• Ensure the mandatory and reference publications are available
• Create and maintain appropriate records of stock and equipment
• Market and publicise the library, learning and information service to prisoners
• Establish efficient routines and procedures for the effective running of the library
• Induct residents to the services available in the library
• Promote and encourage reading and encourage use of public libraries upon release
• Arrange the appropriate training for prisoner library orderlies
• General administrative duties

The Ideal Candidate

Essential

• An understanding of the issues affecting those in a custodial environment
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• A high literacy level and good IT skills
• Ability to use initiative and imagination to maintain and improve library services
• The ability to motivate others and effectively problem solve

Desirable

• Recognised library qualification i.e. Level 2 is a Certificate in Libraries, Archives and Information Services
• Experience of working in a library and using a Library Management System
• Experience of frontline customer services work

Package Description

Benefits including 28 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays),pension, discounted health cover, subsidised gym membership, childcare voucher scheme, free meals on duty and free on-site parking

Salary is £23,268 per annum

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs some 36,000 employees to deliver integrated facilities management services to clients at over 2,000 locations in the energy, 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.

At Sodexo we are committed to a leading role in promoting equality opportunities and valuing diversity and inclusion. We seek to create a work environment based on mutual respect for all individuals, building a culture that appreciates and values the experiences and skills brought by each person to benefit our organisation and work hard to ensure that all people, whatever their race, colour, sex, gender identity  disability, nationality, national or ethnic origin, religion or belief, marital/partnership or family status, sexual orientation, age, social class, educational background, employment status, working pattern, are welcome to and included within our organisation. 

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.

We are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to  support ex-forces personnel and reservists, those applying for jobs with us who meet the ideal candidate criteria for the role advertised are guaranteed to progress to the selection process.

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 5 years’ worth of references and request employment history details from the HMRC