IAG Advisor - in Custody

The Growth Company; Warrington; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

The Growth Company’s Employment team is seeking an Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) Advisor - in Custody to deliver high-quality, labour market-informed careers advice to offenders in custody and support their transition back into the community. You will help clients set education, skills and work-related goals, develop employability abilities, and search for suitable job opportunities.

The role requires liaising with prison staff, employers and education providers, and may include

Qualifications

• Ideally NVQ Level 3/4 in Advice and Guidance, DipCG, or equivalent; CDI Licence to Practice aims.
• Commitment to rehabilitation and positive outcomes for Prison Service customers.
• Experience in target-driven environments and delivering IAG in custodial settings.

Responsibilities

• Deliver personalised IAG that aligns with each customer’s needs to promote career development and long-term outcomes.
• Oversee a varied caseload, working toward targets with a focus on sustained employment or education progression.
• Use labour market information and employer networks to guide customers to meaningful opportunities.
• Build relationships with prison governors, uniformed staff, and partner agencies for a steady pipeline of eligible customers.
• Provide flexible support via Virtual Campus, group workshops, and in-person sessions.
• Create detailed action plans for each customer with a clear path forward.
• Collaborate with National Careers Service and other services to track outcomes and collect evidence.
• Adhere to Prison Service DPS contract and meet standards set by Skills Funding Agency, Ofsted, and Matrix.

Skills

IAG delivery

Group sessions

One-to-one coaching

Stakeholder engagement

Labour market intel

Education

NVQ Level 3/4 in Advice and Guidance

DipCG or CDI Licence

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.

Please note this role will be based at HMP Thorn Cross. It is advised that you hold a UK Driving Licence and own a vehicle due to the location and limited public transport to this site.

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.