Cover Tutor: Vocational HMP

Dovetail and Slate; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Dovetail and Slate Limited is recruiting a Cover Vocational Tutor to join the Justice Services team on-site at HMP Brixton, London. You will deliver practical instruction across construction trades, barbering, hospitality, and related skills, ensuring learning continuity and progress for adult learners.

As a hands-on vocational educator, you will embed essential employability skills, maintain tool safety and documentation, and support learners to achieve their Employability Passports for modern

Qualifications

• Level 2 Maths and English alongside hands-on vocational experience required.
• A Level 4+ teaching qualification is preferred; willingness to train on the job is encouraged.
• Strong classroom management, organisational skills, and ability to manage group dynamics.
• Good safeguarding, equality and health & safety awareness in learning environments.
• Desirable: Assessor qualification or willingness to work towards one.

Responsibilities

• Practical Vocational Delivery: Plan and deliver hands-on lessons across diverse trade areas.
• Embedding Essential Skills: Integrate employability skills and digital literacy in workshops.
• Safety & Tool Security: Maintain tool security, inventory control, and safety standards.
• Assessment & Progress Tracking: Monitor learner progress and complete ILPs and records.
• Positive Engagement: Foster participation and manage group dynamics in secure settings.

Skills

Strong classroom management

Organisational skills

Managing group dynamics

Safeguarding knowledge

Equality & health & safety awareness

Education

Level 2 Maths & English

Level 4+ teaching qualification

Assessor qualification (or willingness to work towards)

Tools

BKSB diagnostic tools

Job description

Job Title: Cover Tutor - Vocational

Location: HMP Brixton (London, SW2)

Salary: From 30,000 + 5,000 London Weighting per annum

Contract: Permanent, Full-Time

The Opportunity

Are you an experienced trade specialist or vocational tutor looking for a dynamic role where your hands‑on skills can transform lives? Do you want to play a crucial role in reducing reoffending by giving adult learners the practical tools, confidence, and qualifications needed to secure employment upon release?

We are recruiting for an adaptable and resilient Cover Vocational Tutor to join the Justice Services team on-site at HMP Brixton. In this versatile role, you will deliver engaging, practical instruction across a variety of vocational disciplines-including construction trades, barbering, hospitality, and broader practical skill areas. By providing vital teaching cover, you will maintain learning continuity, support student progress, and help learners build their Employability Passports for modern workplaces.

What You Will Be Doing

• Practical Vocational Delivery: Plan and deliver hands‑on, engaging vocational lessons across diverse trade areas, adapting teaching to support learners with varied abilities and low literacy levels.

• Embedding Essential Skills: Integrate core employability skills (teamwork, communication, professionalism) and digital literacy into practical workshop sessions.

• Safety & Tool Security: Strictly maintain tool security, inventory control, and health & safety standards within secure workshop environments.

• Assessment & Progress Tracking: Monitor learner development, provide constructive feedback, and complete all required administration, including registers, Individual Learning Plans (ILPs), and compliance documentation.

• Positive Engagement: Utilize motivational and restorative approaches to foster participation, manage challenging group dynamics, and promote personal growth.

What We Are Looking For

• Vocational & Academic Foundation: Level 2 qualifications in Maths and English alongside hands‑on vocational experience (e.g., construction trades, barbering, hospitality, or similar practical sectors).

• Teaching Qualifications: A Level 4+ teaching qualification is preferred. No teaching qualification? Candidates with strong trade experience who are willing to achieve a teaching qualification on the job are fully encouraged to apply.

• Key Skills: Strong classroom management, robust organisational skills, and the confidence to manage group dynamics within a secure adult environment.

• Core Awareness: Solid knowledge of safeguarding, equality, and health & safety practices within learning environments.

• Desirable Criteria: An Assessor qualification (or willingness to work towards one), experience teaching across multiple vocational trade subjects, familiarity with BKSB diagnostic tools, or knowledge of Ofsted's Education Inspection Framework (EIF).

DISCLAIMER

Important Notice

We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to satisfactory vetting, including a right to work check and, where relevant, an enhanced DBS, PVG (Scotland), or EWC (Wales) check, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

We are an equal opportunities employer. By applying, you consent to your data being processed for recruitment purposes in line with our Privacy Policy.

Because education matters.

Dovetail and Slate Limited.