Prison Employment Lead

Job Introduction

Prison Employment Lead – HMP Forest Bank

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated and forward-thinking Prison Employment Lead (PEL) to join our Education, Skills and Work team at HMP Forest Bank.

This is a pivotal role focused on improving the employability of prisoners and supporting them into sustainable employment upon release. You will lead on creating and managing an end-to-end Prison Employment Pathway, ensuring every prisoner understands the real opportunity of finding meaningful work as part of their rehabilitation journey.

The successful candidate will work closely with internal and external stakeholders—including employers, education providers, and the New Futures Network (NFN)—to match work-ready candidates with live vacancies and help bridge the gap between custody and community employment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of an employment pathway that identifies, develops, and promotes work-ready prisoners from induction through to release.

• Collaborate with internal prison departments, New Futures Network, and community employment agencies to broker meaningful job opportunities.

• Manage the Employment Hub, centralising employment services and promoting live vacancies to prisoners approaching release.

• Support education and IAG providers to ensure employment, education, and training opportunities are clearly promoted at induction and throughout custody.

• Track and report on employment outcomes, ensuring accurate data collection and compliance with performance and contractual targets.

• Partner with the Strategic Employment Advisory Board to align employability programmes with employer needs and industry standards.

• Organise employer engagement events and recruitment drives within the prison (e.g., hospitality, construction).

• Work closely with Pre-Release and Community Offender Management teams to ensure effective transition and continuity of support after release.

• Line manage the Identification and Bank Account Administrator, ensuring high performance and compliance with standards.

About You

Essential:

• A genuine interest in rehabilitation and reducing reoffending through employment.

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to engage confidently with diverse stakeholders.

• Excellent organisational and administrative skills, including accurate data management.

• Proficient IT skills, including use of databases and Microsoft Office.

• Ability to handle confidential information with integrity and professionalism.

Desirable:

• Experience in employability, education, training, or offender rehabilitation services.

• Knowledge of Education, Skills and Work (ESW) frameworks and HMPPS processes.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Experience in partnership working across agencies and employer networks.

Core Competencies

• Business Consulting

• Continuous Improvement

• Employee Engagement

• Results Orientation

About The Company

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.

We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be natural, and be the best versions of themselves. We recognise that we’re on a journey with regards to diversity and inclusion and would therefore welcome applications for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds.

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 run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.