IAG Advisor - in Custody

The Growth Company; Stoke Heath; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Growth Company is recruiting an Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) Advisor - in Custody. You will provide high-quality, labour market-informed careers advice to offenders, helping them set education and employment goals while supporting transition back into the community.

Based at HMP Stoke Heath, you will work with education providers and employers to promote sustained outcomes, and you may undertake NVQ Level 4/6 in Advice and Guidance where needed.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering IAG in custodial or similar settings.
• Commitment to CDI Licence to Practice.
• Ability to meet performance targets in a demanding environment.

Responsibilities

• Deliver personalised IAG advice aligned with customer needs.
• Oversee a varied caseload and aim for sustained employment or education.
• Use labour market intelligence to guide customers to opportunities.
• Build relationships with governors, staff, and partner agencies.
• Provide flexible support via Virtual Campus, workshops and in-person sessions.
• Create detailed action plans and track progress.

Skills

Labour market information

Stakeholder engagement

One-to-one coaching

Group sessions

Education

NVQ Level 3 or 4 in Advice and Guidance

DipCG

Tools

Virtual Campus

Job description

The Growth Company’s (GC) Employment team is currently recruiting an Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) Advisor - in Custody to provide high-quality, labour market-informed careers advice and support.

IAG Advisors work with offenders in custody from the start of their sentence, up to preparing for release, with the aim of helping prevent cycles of re-offending. The advisors help those in custody to set education, skills, and work-related goals, develop employability skills, and search for and apply for jobs as they prepare to transition back into the community.

They also work with employers to help offenders increase their knowledge of the labour market and promote more sustained employment outcomes. They work in close partnership with education and training providers and wider rehabilitation services to support sustainable, long-term outcomes and help reduce re-offending.

As part of this role we offer advisors opportunities to undertake the NVQ Level 4 and Level 6 in Advice and Guidance if not already held.

This role will be based out of HMP Stoke Heath.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver personalised IAG advice that aligns with each customer’s unique needs, promoting career development, independence, and long-term learning or employment outcomes.
• Oversee a varied caseload of customers, working towards performance targets with a focus on securing sustained employment or educational progression.
• Utilise up-to-date labour market intelligence and employer networks to guide customers toward meaningful and lasting job opportunities.
• Establish and nurture productive relationships with key stakeholders, including prison governors, uniformed staff, and partner agencies, to ensure a consistent pipeline of eligible customers.
• Provide flexible, customer-centred support through platforms such as the Virtual Campus, group workshops, and in-person sessions.
• Create detailed and impactful action plans for each customer, ensuring initial engagement meets satisfaction benchmarks and sets a clear path forward.
• Work closely with colleagues across mainstream services (e.g., National Careers Service) to enhance tracking of customer outcomes and streamline evidence collection.
• Adhere to all requirements of the Prison Service DPS contract and consistently exceed standards set by the Skills Funding Agency, Ofsted, and Matrix.

About You:

• Ideally hold an NVQ Level 3 or 4 in Advice and Guidance, DipCG, or an equivalent qualification, with a commitment to achieving the CDI Licence to Practice.
• Hold a positive approach to rehabilitation.
• Demonstrate the ability to excel in a target-driven environment, consistently working towards positive outcomes for Prison Service customers.
• Deliver high-quality one-to-one and group sessions, meeting or exceeding Grade 2 standards in careers information, advice, and guidance.
• Confidently use digital platforms and online tools: including the Virtual Campus, to provide accessible and effective IAG services.

Skills Required:

• Ideally possess recent experience delivering employment or learning outcomes within a custodial environment, particularly in a performance-driven setting.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals who are currently in custody or have previous offending histories.
• Skilled in providing high-quality one-to-one and group career guidance sessions, consistently achieving at least a Grade 2 standard.