Employment & Careers Specialist

Aspire; Manchester; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an Employment & Careers Specialist to work at HMP Forest Bank. In this full-time role, you will provide essential careers guidance to prisoners, helping them plan their next steps towards education, training, or employment. Candidates should have a Level 3 or 4 qualification in Advice & Guidance, strong communication skills, and experience in delivering employability support. This position offers a chance to make a significant impact in individuals' lives.

Qualifications

• Qualified to Level 3 or 4 in Advice & Guidance or working towards CDI Licence to Practise.
• Experience delivering careers support, ideally within custody or similar.
• Ability to build trust and motivate others.

Responsibilities

• Deliver one-to-one and group careers guidance in custody.
• Create personalised action plans for individuals.
• Collaborate with prison staff and agencies for support.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

IT skills

Knowledge of local labour markets

Education

Level 3 or 4 in Advice & Guidance

CDI Licence to Practise (working towards)

Job description

Employment & Careers Specialist

Up to £28,000

HMP Forest Bank

Full-time, Permanent

The Role

We’re looking for 9 x Employment & Careers Specialist to join an Offender Services team in HMP Forest Bank prison to deliver high-quality information, advice and guidance to prisoners prior to their cell. You’ll help people develop confidence, plan their next steps, and move closer to education, training or employment. It’s a rewarding role where you’ll make a real difference to people’s futures.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide one-to‑one and group careers guidance sessions in custody.
• Create personalised action plans that support individuals’ resettlement and progression goals.
• Work closely with prison staff, education providers and partner agencies to ensure joined-up support.
• Use labour market information to connect people with relevant opportunities.
• Track outcomes, maintain accurate records and report on progress.
• Support individuals transitioning from custody into community services or employment.
• Follow safeguarding, equality, and data protection policies at all times.
• Travel between sites across the region when required.

About You

• Qualified to Level 3 or 4 in Advice & Guidance (or equivalent), or working towards CDI Licence to Practise.
• Experience delivering careers, employability or resettlement support, ideally within custody or a similar setting.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, able to build trust and motivate others.
• Organised, target-focused and confident managing a caseload.
• Good IT skills and comfortable using systems to track progress.
• Knowledge of local labour markets and progression routes.
• Able to meet prison clearance requirements (CTC and DBS).

If this sounds like the perfect role for you then please submit your CV.

This vacancy is being handled by Aspire Recruitment. Please be aware we receive a high volume of applications and regularly receive applications from candidates who exceed the job credentials. We will only contact you within the next 14 days if you are selected for interview. Should you apply for this role, we will process your data as detailed in our

Job Info

• Job Title: Employment & Careers Specialist
• Company: Aspire
• Location: HMP Forest Bank
• Posted: Dec 2nd 2025
• Closes: Jan 2nd 2026
• Sector: Education
• Contract: Permanent
• Hours: Full Time