Student Support Coach - Prison Education

Salary: £26,227.50 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: Prison Education Setting, East of England

The Opportunity

We are recruiting for a Student Support Coach to join a well-established Prison Education team within a secure custodial environment. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about supporting learners, improving educational outcomes, and helping individuals overcome barriers to learning.

As the first point of contact for learners entering education, you will play a vital role in engaging individuals with learning opportunities, supporting their educational journey, and helping them achieve qualifications that can positively impact their future prospects.

Key Responsibilities

Learner Induction & Assessment

• Welcome learners into the education department and provide a positive first impression.
• Conduct learner screening and initial assessments to identify educational needs and starting points.
• Gather educational history and relevant learner information.
• Deliver engaging induction sessions that encourage participation and commitment to learning.

Learner Engagement & Support

• Provide ongoing pastoral support to learners throughout their educational journey.
• Build positive relationships that encourage attendance, retention, and achievement.
• Identify and support learners who may be at risk of disengagement.
• Use trauma-informed approaches to support individuals with complex needs and challenging backgrounds.
• Record and monitor learner interventions and progress.

Information, Advice & Guidance

• Provide information and guidance on available courses, qualifications, and progression routes.
• Promote distance learning and higher education opportunities, including Open University programmes.
• Support learners with applications and enrolment processes.
• Liaise with tutors and external agencies to support educational progression.
• Ensure learners are enrolled on programmes that support their individual development plans.

Administration & Operational Duties

• Maintain accurate learner records and educational data.
• Support enrolment, attendance monitoring, examinations, and invigilation processes.
• Ensure compliance with data protection and safeguarding procedures.
• Assist in the smooth day-to-day running of the education provision.

Teamwork & Collaboration

• Work closely with teaching staff, support teams, prison staff, and external partners.
• Support learner mentoring and development initiatives.
• Provide administrative and operational support where required.
• Contribute towards achieving quality standards, performance targets, and positive learner outcomes.

Essential Requirements

• NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration or equivalent.
• Level 3 qualification in supporting individuals with learning disabilities or equivalent.
• Strong IT and data management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to motivate and engage learners facing barriers to education.
• Experience working in an administrative and learner support environment.
• High attention to detail and strong organisational skills.
• Understanding of safeguarding, equality, diversity, inclusion, and data protection.

Desirable Requirements

• Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) qualification.
• Experience working within prison education or another secure setting.
• Experience supporting examinations and invigilation processes.
• Experience working with multiple agencies and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of OFSTED Education Inspection Framework (EIF).

What's On Offer?

• The opportunity to make a genuine difference through prison education.
• A supportive and collaborative education team.
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
• Experience working in a rewarding environment where education plays a key role in rehabilitation and reducing reoffending.
• The chance to support learners in developing the skills, confidence, and qualifications needed for future success.

This role would suit an organised, compassionate, and resilient individual who is committed to helping learners unlock their potential through education within a prison setting.