Student Support Coach

Peopleplus; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Peopleplus is seeking a proactive Student Support Coach for our Prison Education team. You will welcome learners, conduct induction, and provide ongoing pastoral support to help learners access opportunities and stay engaged in learning.

You will join a collaborative education team, delivering trauma‑informed support, progression guidance, and accurate record‑keeping to ensure smooth operation and learner success.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration (or equivalent).
• Level 3 qualification in supporting individuals with learning disabilities (or equivalent).
• Strong IT skills and ability to manage and analyse data.
• Excellent organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to motivate and engage learners, particularly those with barriers to education.
• Experience in administration and working with individuals with additional needs or trauma.
• High attention to detail and ability to manage records accurately.
• Understanding of safeguarding, equality, and data protection.

Responsibilities

• Induction & assessment: welcome learners, lead screening and assessment, gather history, deliver induction sessions.
• Learner engagement & support: provide ongoing pastoral support, build relationships, track interventions, use trauma‑informed approaches.
• Progression & guidance: advise on courses and pathways, promote Open University and distance learning, liaise with tutors.
• Administration & operations: maintain learner records, support enrolment, registers, exams, invigilation, coordinate with teams.
• Teamwork & flexibility: work with tutors and prison teams, support peer mentors, cover inductions and admin duties, meet KPIs.

Skills

IT skills

Data analysis

Organisational skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Motivation techniques

Records management

Safeguarding

Trauma-informed approaches

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration

Level 3 qualification in supporting individuals with learning disabilities

Information, Advice and Guidance qualification

OFSTED EIF knowledge

Experience in secure/prison environments

Job description

Be the first step in a learner's journey

We're looking for a proactive and compassionate Student Support Coach to join our Prison Education team. This is a key front-facing role where you'll support learners from their very first interaction with education, helping them access opportunities, overcome barriers, and stay engaged in learning.

As the first point of contact for learners, you'll play a vital role in shaping positive first impressions, supporting induction, and ensuring every learner is set up for success.

What you'll be doing

Induction & Assessment

• Deliver a warm and professional welcome to learners entering education
• Lead screening and assessment processes during induction
• Gather learner history and assess starting points
• Deliver engaging induction sessions to maximise participation and engagement

Learner Engagement & Support

• Provide ongoing pastoral support to improve learner retention and achievement
• Build relationships with learners to understand goals and barriers
• Support learners at risk of disengagement and track interventions
• Use trauma-informed approaches to support learners effectively

Progression & Guidance

• Offer advice and guidance on available courses and learning pathways
• Promote education opportunities, including Open University and distance learning
• Support applications and liaise with tutors and external organisations
• Ensure learners are enrolled on courses aligned to their sentence plans

Administration & Operations

• Maintain accurate learner records and data across prison systems
• Support enrolment, registers, exams, and invigilation processes
• Coordinate with internal teams and partner agencies
• Help maintain systems for the smooth running of the education centre

Teamwork & Flexibility

• Work collaboratively with tutors, support staff, and prison teams
• Support peer mentors and learner development activities
• Provide cover across the team, including admin and induction duties where required
• Contribute to achieving contract KPIs and standards

What we're looking for

Essential

• NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration (or equivalent)
• Level 3 qualification in supporting individuals with learning disabilities (or equivalent)
• Strong IT skills and ability to manage and analyse data
• Excellent organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to motivate and engage learners, particularly those with barriers to education
• Experience in administration and working with individuals with additional needs or trauma
• High attention to detail and ability to manage records accurately
• Understanding of safeguarding, equality, and data protection

Desirable

• Information, Advice and Guidance qualification
• Experience in prison or secure environments
• Experience of exam invigilation and multi-agency working
• Knowledge of OFSTED EIF

Why join us?

• Play a crucial role in supporting learner engagement and achievement
• Be part of a collaborative, supportive education team
• Develop experience in prison education and learner support
• Access ongoing training and development opportunities

Our values

We're looking for people who demonstrate:

• Customer First - supporting learners to improve their lives
• True North - acting with integrity
• Own It - taking accountability
• Improve to be the best - striving for excellence