In Custody Careers Advisor

Full Time / Permenant

Location: HMP Durham

Help Change Lives Through Employment

We are looking for a passionate and motivated Careers Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG) Advisor to join our team at HMP Durham.

This is an opportunity to make a genuine difference by helping people develop the confidence, skills, and aspirations needed to build a positive future beyond custody. Through tailored careers guidance and employability support, you will help individuals identify realistic career goals, overcome barriers, and prepare for sustainable employment, education, or training on release.

If you're someone who believes in the power of second chances and wants a role with real purpose, we'd love to hear from you.

The Role

As an In Custody Careers Advisor, you will work directly with prisoners, providing one-to-one support and group-based interventions designed to improve career prospects and increase employability.

You'll create personalised action plans, help individuals recognise their strengths and potential, and support them to take meaningful steps towards achieving their goals. Working closely with prison education teams, employers, training providers, and probation services, you'll play a key role in creating pathways into employment and further learning.

Every day will be different, but every day will be an opportunity to have a lasting impact.

What You'll Be Doing

Delivering Careers Guidance

• Conduct one-to-one assessments to identify skills, interests, career ambitions, and development needs.
• Develop and review personalised Prisoner Learning Plans (PLPs) that support progression towards employment, education, or training.
• Provide practical careers advice that reflects individual circumstances, abilities, and aspirations.

Supporting Employability and Progression

• Deliver engaging workshops on employability skills, career planning, job searching, interview preparation, CV writing, and disclosure of convictions.
• Help participants understand realistic career pathways and identify opportunities available both in custody and after release.
• Support individuals to overcome barriers that may impact future employment outcomes.

Managing a Caseload

• Effectively manage a caseload of participants, maintaining regular contact and monitoring progress against agreed goals.
• Encourage and motivate individuals to remain engaged with their development plans.

Building Meaningful Relationships

• Develop professional, supportive, and non-judgemental relationships with participants.
• Create a safe environment where individuals feel encouraged to explore opportunities for change and personal growth.

Working with Partners

• Collaborate with prison departments, education providers, probation services, employers, and community organisations.
• Develop opportunities that connect participants with employers, further learning, training, and employment-focused activities.

Achieving Quality Outcomes

• Maintain accurate records and documentation in line with contractual and quality standards.
• Contribute towards performance targets, outcome measures, and service objectives.
• Ensure all work is delivered in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.

Why Join Us?

Working within a custodial environment can be challenging, but it is also one of the most rewarding careers you can choose.

You'll have the opportunity to support people at a pivotal moment in their lives, helping them gain new skills, improve their confidence, and prepare for a successful future in the community.

The impact of your work extends beyond the individual. By supporting people into positive destinations, you'll contribute to stronger communities, reduced reoffending, and lasting social change.

If you want a career where your work truly matters, apply today and help create brighter futures.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who is resilient, positive, and committed to helping others succeed.

You will ideally have:

• Experience delivering careers advice, employability support, coaching, mentoring, or guidance services.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience supporting individuals who face barriers to employment or personal development.
• Confidence delivering workshops and group sessions.
• Excellent organisational and caseload management skills.
• The ability to build trust, motivate others, and maintain professional boundaries.
• A relevant Information, Advice and Guidance qualification (or willingness to work towards one).

Whilst we welcome applications from those with lived experience, this role requires an enhanced DBS check and HMPPS EL1 vetting. Due to the time required to complete these checks, successful candidates will be offered a start date at least 6 weeks from the point of job offer. This should allow sufficient time for all necessary pre-employment clearances to be obtained

Our Justice division is dedicated to transforming lives and creating safer communities. Our mission is to reduce reoffending, build stronger communities, and help people realise their potential.

At Ingeus, we’ve spent time listening to our employees to build our benefits package;

• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to trade for additional leave.
• EAP Support programme available 24/7, including 6 free counselling sessions.
• Private medical insurance and life assurance.
• Up to 2 days of Community Giving (volunteering) each year to support a cause that matters to you.
• Eyecare vouchers to help with glasses or eye care.
• Online Shopping discounts
• Cycle to Work scheme and travel season ticket loan.
• Long service awards to celebrate your commitment.
• Salary Finance offering financial education and advice.
• The opportunity to purchase extra benefits like critical illness cover and dental insurance.

We understand that everyone’s journey is different, and we’re committed to making our recruitment process as inclusive and accessible as possible. If you require any support or adjustments—whether that’s help with the application, interview format, or anything else—we’re here to listen and work with you to find the best approach.

Our goal is to ensure you can showcase your skills and potential in a way that works for you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected] to discuss how we can support you

If you think you have what it takes, don't delay and apply today – We may shortlist and conduct interviews before the closing date and if we receive enough applications this role may close early.