Life Skills TutorHMP Elmley & HMP Standford Hill
Employer: Bhuku Ltd
Salary: £16.00 per hour
Contract: Fixed Term
Guaranteed Work:
- Every Thursday at HMP Elmley for the duration of the 9-month contract.
- One day per week during the scheduled delivery periods at HMP Standford Hill (three programme delivery periods across the contract).
- Opportunities for additional paid work across Bhuku Ltd's expanding portfolio of prison education contracts throughout England.
Locations:
- HMP Elmley, Church Road, Eastchurch, Isle of Sheppey, Kent
- HMP Standford Hill, Church Road, Eastchurch, Isle of Sheppey, Kent
Start Date: Subject to successful HMPPS Security Vetting
About Bhuku Ltd
Bhuku Ltd is an innovative prison education provider delivering high-quality literacy, employability, life skills, mentoring and enrichment programmes across prisons throughout England.
We're looking for an enthusiastic and engaging Life Skills Tutor to deliver two innovative programmes that help prisoners develop confidence, practical life skills and positive futures.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing organisation that values creativity, learner engagement and high-quality teaching. As Bhuku continues to secure new contracts, there will be opportunities for additional work, career progression and involvement in a wide variety of prison education programmes.
About the Role
This is a varied and rewarding role combining the delivery of two very different programmes, each designed to engage learners who may not usually participate in education.
You'll deliver interactive group sessions, provide individual learner support, build positive relationships with prison staff, encourage participation and create a learning environment where every learner feels supported to succeed.
You'll have the flexibility to adapt your teaching style to suit learners with different educational backgrounds, literacy levels and additional learning needs, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate and progress.
HMP Elmley – Skills Ninja: CheckMate Chess Club
Every Thursday, you'll deliver our Skills Ninja: CheckMate Chess Club, an engaging programme that uses chess to develop both strategic thinking and wider personal development skills.
Through practical activities and friendly competition, learners will develop:
- Chess skills and tactics.
- Strategic thinking and planning.
- Problem solving.
- Concentration and focus.
- Patience and resilience.
- Confidence and self-esteem.
- Communication skills.
- Teamwork and respectful competition.
- Numeracy and literacy through gameplay.
Delivery consists of two tutor-led sessions every Thursday, with learners joining on a roll-on, roll-off basis throughout the contract.
HMP Standford Hill – Transition to Modern Life
During scheduled delivery periods across the contract, you'll deliver our Transition to Modern Life programme, helping prisoners prepare for successful release after serving long custodial sentences.
Topics include:
- Using smartphones and modern technology.
- Contactless payments.
- Online banking.
- Budgeting and managing money.
- Email and online communication.
- Online job searching.
- CV writing.
- Public transport.
- Shopping and self-service technology.
- Accessing public services.
- Building confidence and independence.
- Preparing for life in today's society.
The programme is delivered one day per week during each of the three scheduled delivery periods across the contract.
Main Responsibilities
As a Life Skills Tutor, you will:
- Plan and deliver engaging, learner-centred sessions.
- Create a safe, inclusive and motivating learning environment.
- Deliver both group and one-to-one learning where appropriate.
- Adapt learning for learners with varying literacy levels, neurodiversity and additional learning needs.
- Encourage participation and positive learner engagement.
- Recruit and promote participation in programmes.
- Monitor learner progress and celebrate achievement.
- Maintain accurate learner records, registers and reports.
- Work closely with Learning & Skills Managers, prison officers and other stakeholders.
- Participate in observations, quality assurance activities and contract meetings.
- Promote safeguarding, equality, diversity, inclusion and Fundamental British Values throughout delivery.
- Support learners to access additional prison services where appropriate.
Essential Requirements
Applicants must:
- Have the right to work in the United Kingdom.
- Have experience teaching, training, coaching, mentoring or facilitating learning with adults.
- Be an engaging and confident communicator.
- Be able to motivate learners from diverse backgrounds.
- Be organised, reliable and able to work independently.
- Have good IT and administrative skills.
- Be willing to travel between HMP Elmley and HMP Standford Hill.
- Be willing and able to complete Enhanced HMPPS Security Vetting.
- Be committed to safeguarding and maintaining high professional standards.
Desirable Qualifications
- Teaching qualification (where held).
- Coaching or mentoring qualification.
- Employability or personal development qualification.
- Chess coaching experience or a good standard of chess playing.
- First Aid qualification.
Desirable Experience
Experience in any of the following would be advantageous:
- Prison education.
- Adult education.
- Employability and life skills programmes.
- Coaching and mentoring.
- Group facilitation.
- Supporting neurodiverse learners.
- Trauma-informed practice.
- Community learning.
- Personal development programmes.
What We Offer
- £16.00 per hour
- Guaranteed work every Thursday at HMP Elmley.
- Guaranteed work during the scheduled programme delivery periods at HMP Standford Hill.
- Paid prison induction and mandatory security training.
- Ongoing CPD and professional development.
- Supportive management team.
- Opportunities for additional paid work across Bhuku Ltd's growing portfolio of prison education contracts throughout England.
- The opportunity to help learners build confidence, practical skills and positive futures.
Security Requirements
Successful applicants will be required to:
- Successfully complete Enhanced HMPPS Security Vetting.
- Complete prison induction and mandatory security training.
- Undertake key holder and radio training where required.
- Comply with all HMPPS security procedures and local prison policies.
- Maintain the highest standards of professionalism, safeguarding and confidentiality at all times.
Why Join Bhuku Ltd?
At Bhuku Ltd, we believe education should be engaging, practical and transformative.
Whether you're developing strategic thinking through chess or helping learners prepare for life beyond custody, you'll make a genuine difference every day. As our organisation continues to grow, you'll also have the opportunity to become part of a national team delivering innovative education programmes across prisons throughout England.
Pay: £16.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
