Reading Specialist - HMP New Hall

Shannon Trust; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 17,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative literacy organisation seeks a Reading Specialist for HMP New Hall in Wakefield. The role involves leading creative literacy initiatives and supporting prisoners' reading development. Ideal candidates will have some experience in prison settings and strong relationship-building skills. This fixed-term contract offers competitive benefits, including pension contributions and 30 days of holiday.

Benefits

Company pension contribution up to 5%

30 days holiday plus bank holidays

Life insurance

Paid volunteering days

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Some experience of prison settings is ideal.
• Ability to build relationships with various stakeholders.
• Personal qualities include resilience, determination, and a problem-solving approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery and development of literacy initiatives.
• Maximise opportunities for people in prison to learn to read.

Skills

Building relationships

Resilience

Problem-solving

Job description

Reading Specialist - HMP New Hall

Location: HMP New Hall

Department: Prison delivery

Salary: £16,964 per annum

Hours: 21 hours (3 days a week)

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract

Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing illiteracy amongst people in prison?

Shannon Trust are delighted to be working with His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) and G4S to provide peer-led literacy and numeracy programmes across a number of prisons. We now have the opportunity to provide a service at HMP New Hall. Working closely with the prison and their staff, people in prison, Shannon Trust Team Members, this is an exciting role leading on the delivery and development of creative and exciting literacy initiatives and an ambitious Reading Strategy at HMP New Hall, maximising opportunities for people in prison to learn to read.

Ideally you will have some experience of prison settings underpinned by the ability to build relationships and personal qualities that include resilience, determination and a problem-solving approach.

This role will be prison-based. Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday (when full time) plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme. The biggest benefit though is our culture – our people really want to work for the organisation.

We welcome job applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system and do not routinely ask for details of any criminal convictions. These roles do require prison security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.

This is a fixed term contract until 5th June 2026

Interviews are to be held on a rolling schedule.

Please note the vacancy may close early if we find a suitable applicant.

Benefits: Standard Shannon Trust: Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme.

REF-225 026