Programmes and Learning Officer

Make a meaningful difference for women and families affected by imprisonment.

Join us as a Groupwork Development Officer in our Women’s Estates, where you’ll coordinate and deliver high‑quality groupwork programmes that strengthen relationships, support parenting, and improve outcomes for children and families. 

Working within His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) rules and regulations, you will help reduce the risk of re‑offending by facilitating practical, evidence‑based interventions and creating a safe, supportive learning environment.

Contract: Fixed Term – 9 months from April 2026
Hours: Full‑time, 37.5 hours per week
Location: National coverage, with primary base at HMP Styal and delivery at HMP Drake Hall and HMP Foston Hall. Occasional travel and overnight stays may be required.

What you’ll do

• Design and deliver PACT relationship and parenting courses, plus one‑to‑one booklet support, ensuring materials and evaluation data are kept current and centrally accessible.
• Recruit and assess participants, promote courses across the estate, and contribute to the development of new content and learning materials that meet women’s needs.
• Build strong partnerships with prison agencies and colleagues to ensure smooth running of the programme and effective referral procedures.
• Support peer learning, helping women in custody to develop a Peer working programme and progress towards Level 2 Information Advice and Guidance (IAG) with NCFE.
• Record and report outcomes accurately, attend key meetings, and provide timely performance feedback and monthly service updates.
• Safeguarding first: adhere at all times to Safeguarding, Data Security, Prison Security Procedures, and confidentiality requirements.

About you

You’re an engaging facilitator with excellent presentation and communication skills, able to remain calm and effective in challenging environments. 

You can manage a busy workload, work in partnership at both strategic and operational levels, and are confident using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for data and outcome recording. 

A background working directly with people with convictions, families under stress and/or disadvantaged groups is essential; experience in criminal justice is desirable. Adult training credentials (e.g., Level 3 in Adult Education and Training or PGCE) or equivalent experience are required.

Our offer

PACT provides a free advice, information and counselling service, a contributory pension, corporate eye care scheme, cycle‑to‑work scheme, and generous holiday entitlement. 

You’ll receive a thorough induction, access to training events to develop as a professional training and interventions worker, and the support of a friendly, enthusiastic team.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

PACT is committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all and to creating a sense of welcome and belonging. We especially welcome applications from people with lived experience. This post is restricted to female applicants to ensure delivery within a women‑only environment; this constitutes a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Pre‑employment and vetting

Employment is subject to verification of identity and the right to work in the UK, qualification checks, satisfactory references covering the previous 3 years, declaration of any unspent convictions (and, where appropriate, a satisfactory risk assessment), Prison Vetting, and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced check. Please note that bankruptcy or County Court Judgements (CCJs) may affect the ability to secure prison vetting. If you have resided overseas for more than 12 months (in the past 10 years while aged 18 or over), we will also require a certificate of good conduct from the relevant Police Force.