Programmes Coordinator/Facilitator

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a Programmes Coordinator/Facilitator to join the Safe Ground team and take the lead in the effective setup, delivery, and evaluation of Safe Ground's programmes. The role involves delivering arts-based interventions aimed at supporting participants in their personal development, family relationships, and rehabilitation. You will be based at HMP Altcourse, where you will develop collaborative partnerships with colleagues at the Visitors' Centre, as well as with key prison teams, wing staff, and, most importantly, the programme participants. 

Rota: Monday to Friday 9-5pm 

ABOUT SAFE GROUND

Safe Ground is an award-winning arts organisation expert in the design and delivery of therapeutic group work programmes. Our work focuses on relationships and identity and uses group work, arts, and drama techniques to support participants to experience alternative perspectives. We have over 25 years’ experience creating spaces in secure and community settings within which transformational change can occur. In November 2022, we became part of the Social Interest Group. 

Benefits, including Non-Contractual Perks

• 25 days annual leave, increasing with length of service
• Training and Development including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Medicash including discount gym memberships, routine optometry care, dental treatments, and physiotherapy treatments
• Employee Assistance Programme including counselling
• Reflect Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards

If you have the passion, creativity, and tenacity to make a real difference to people’s lives, challenge stigma and make our communities safer, we would love to hear from you!

ABOUT YOU

We're looking for someone with a passion for arts-based interventions, you will see relationships as central to personal development and be creative in your approach to positively influence and persuade others. You will be able to use group work, arts, and drama techniques to support participants to rehearse new behaviours and experience alternative perspectives. You will have excellent communication skills, and support skills. 

OVERVIEW OF KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate all aspects of promotion, recruitment, and evaluation of Safe Ground programmes on site.
• Co-facilitate group work programmes, working in partnership with colleagues at the visitors centre and supporting families. 
• Develop and maintain the highest quality standards of programme set up, delivery and evaluation.
• Take all necessary measures to establish and deliver programmes as the core curriculum at the prison.  
• Support the team to meet performance targets, and objectives.
• Attend and contribute to meetings associated with the programme, and convene meetings when required.
• Coordinate and liaise with the team and participants to seek and maximise opportunities for development and evolution of programmes.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external persons and partners. Such as; the Visitors’ Centre, Governors, Offender Management Units (OMU), Wing Staff, Education Staff, Family Services, Induction, Resettlement and other key components of the HMP and community partners.
• Work closely within the team to monitor, gain feedback, evaluate and develop the programmes for continuous improvement. 
• Admin will vary.

Other responsibilities than those described above may be required to be undertaken from time to time and will be expected to be performed to as long as it is within the capability and level of the position. 

KEY CRITERIA

What we are looking for:

• Background in arts education, dramatherapy, applied theatre or education
• Experience in facilitating group work activities
• IT proficiency, able to learn new software. Confidence in Microsoft packages
• Resonance with Safe Ground and Social Interest Group values

What we would like, but not essential:

• Experience within a prison or other criminal justice setting, and/or within a similar role
• Understanding/experience working with therapeutic groupwork techniques
• Ability to positively persuade, empower, and influence others

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the role and our requirements/key criteria.

WORKING FOR US

Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change - YouTube

Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group 

Our Values

Ambition – Eager to succeed and to accomplish as much as possible for our people

Empowerment – Giving staff and the people we support the tools, training, and information they need to achieve their potential

Transparency – Upfront and visible about our actions and open to scrutiny from stakeholders, service users, and staff

Inclusivity – Listening to, understanding, and including all our stakeholders to ensure we make a difference and get things right

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Additional information on our company policies including Gender Pay, Equality and Diversity, Company Benefits and our Candidate Privacy Policy can be found on our website. We are an inclusive employer, committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). We value and celebrate the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of all our employees. We have a team of ambassadors who are staff volunteers and actively support us in fortifying our organisational value of Inclusivity. SIG actively encourages applications from individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, particularly lived experience ; Naturally, we approach any emerging issues with empathy and sensitivity.

Organisationally, we’re proud to mention that our staff Ambassadors career aspirations generally benefit from embracing this unique opportunity to develop their respective skill sets in spaces that exist outside of their daily roles.

For Recruitment related enquiries, please email recruitment@socialinterestgroup.org.uk