Be the first step in a learner’s journey
We’re looking for a proactive and compassionate Student Support Coach to join our Prison Education team. This is a key front-facing role where you’ll support learners from their very first interaction with education, helping them access opportunities, overcome barriers, and stay engaged in learning.
As the first point of contact for learners, you’ll play a vital role in shaping positive first impressions, supporting induction, and ensuring every learner is set up for success.
What you’ll be doing
Induction & Assessment
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Deliver a warm and professional welcome to learners entering education
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Lead screening and assessment processes during induction
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Gather learner history and assess starting points
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Deliver engaging induction sessions to maximise participation and engagement
Learner Engagement & Support
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Provide ongoing pastoral support to improve learner retention and achievement
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Build relationships with learners to understand goals and barriers
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Support learners at risk of disengagement and track interventions
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Use trauma-informed approaches to support learners effectively
Progression & Guidance
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Offer advice and guidance on available courses and learning pathways
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Promote education opportunities, including Open University and distance learning
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Support applications and liaise with tutors and external organisations
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Ensure learners are enrolled on courses aligned to their sentence plans
Administration & Operations
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Maintain accurate learner records and data across prison systems
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Support enrolment, registers, exams, and invigilation processes
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Coordinate with internal teams and partner agencies
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Help maintain systems for the smooth running of the education centre
Teamwork & Flexibility
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Work collaboratively with tutors, support staff, and prison teams
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Support peer mentors and learner development activities
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Provide cover across the team, including admin and induction duties where required
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Contribute to achieving contract KPIs and standards
What we’re looking for
Essential
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NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration (or equivalent)
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Level 3 qualification in supporting individuals with learning disabilities (or equivalent)
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Strong IT skills and ability to manage and analyse data
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Excellent organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills
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Ability to motivate and engage learners, particularly those with barriers to education
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Experience in administration and working with individuals with additional needs or trauma
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High attention to detail and ability to manage records accurately
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Understanding of safeguarding, equality, and data protection
Desirable
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Information, Advice and Guidance qualification
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Experience in prison or secure environments
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Experience of exam invigilation and multi-agency working
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Knowledge of OFSTED EIF
Why join us?
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Play a crucial role in supporting learner engagement and achievement
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Be part of a collaborative, supportive education team
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Develop experience in prison education and learner support
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Access ongoing training and development opportunities
Our values
We’re looking for people who demonstrate:
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Customer First – supporting learners to improve their lives
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True North – acting with integrity
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Own It – taking accountability
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Improve to be the best – striving for excellence
Apply now
If you’re passionate about supporting learners and making education accessible, we’d love to hear from you.
Here at People Plus, we make a positive difference to people’s lives – every single day.
We use our experience to support hundreds of thousands of people each year. Our committed teams work across Britain to deliver a range of public services, including employment support, skills training, prison education, starting a business, and support to help employers grow.
To put it simply, we:
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Support people to find and keep jobs
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Help people to set up their own businesses
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Deliver skills training to further people’s careers
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Work with employers to build a skilled and happy workforce
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Rehabilitate people with convictions
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Tackle the root causes of offending
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Support carers
We are extremely proud to be a Gold accredited Investors in People organisation. This demonstrates our commitment to creating the very best environment and culture for our colleagues to succeed and thrive.
We are committed to transforming the lives of people with convictions through our work in prisons.
Our services have been designed to tackle the underlying causes of offending behaviour so people can make positive changes to their lives.
With more than 500 people working to support people with convictions in custody and in the community, we bring passion, experience and innovation to public sector rehabilitation services.
We also work with specialist partner organisations to help people move away from their past and look forward to a brighter future.
All of our services are designed in partnership with the people who we’re trying to help and away from our direct work with people serving their sentences, we’re working hard to change attitudes towards people who can often be tarnished unfairly following criminal convictions. Our Social Recruitment Framework brings together organisations to tackle any pre-conceived ideas about hiring people who have previously been involved in crime.
We also work with employers on the Ban the Box initiative to support fair and equal recruitment processes and have engaged industry to influence our employer-led curriculum delivered to our learners.
