Programmes Manager

We are seeking a Safe Ground Programmes Manager to lead our newest family service based in HMP Forest Bank. 

This is an ideal opportunity if you are seeking a hands on role within a prison setting, are confident working in complex environments, and want to create meaningful change within punitive systems. 

You will lead a multidisciplinary team delivering high quality, therapeutically informed, arts-based work with men in prison and their families. 

You will work directly with participants to deliver structured group programmes and provide relational, anti-shame, anti-punitive support in a custodial environment.

In this role, you will support the leadership of the service, providing line management and oversight to ensure high quality delivery for our participants. 

The team delivers our NFI‑approved national programmes, Fathers Inside and Man Up, designs bespoke visits and family interventions, and develops a new, dynamic counselling provision. 

The role requires leadership experience managing a diverse team, with line management responsibilities to support, enable, and empower staff to deliver high‑quality support to participants and their families. 

You will work closely with prison and Sodexo colleagues, as well as internal SIG teams, to ensure innovative, safe, anti‑punitive service delivery.

Location: Based within HMP Forest Bank, Manchester. Step Free access is not available at this service. You may be expected to travel to other services as required, including to Central London Central Office and for in-person meetings held off site. Hybrid working is permitted with an option of up to 2 days working from home when appropriate. 

Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday 07:30 - 17:30. You may be required to work outside these hours as per service and organisational requirements, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays and forming part of the out of hours on call rota for managers. 

Key Responsibilities Include

• Line management and leadership of a small team, offering guidance and support throughout the employee lifecycle, and fostering a supportive leadership culture focused on staff wellbeing, learning and development
• Encourage productivity, engagement, and wellbeing through regular check-ins, training, meetings and supervisions
• Support day-to-day running of the service and programme delivery
• Ensure high-quality facilitation and counselling, and consistent participant engagement
• Monitor performance, reporting and KPI delivery
• Ensure risk management and compliance processes are followed
• Maintain quality standards in line with Safe Ground and NFI requirements
• Coordinate programme schedules, logistics, and delivery cycles
• Build effective working relationships with prison staff and partners that promote anti-shame, anti-punitive practice

Why work with Safe Ground Prisons?

At SIG Safe Ground, we do things differently. Safe Ground is an Arts-based therapeutically informed charity with over 30 years' experience working across the criminal justice system. We support people in custody and their families to build stronger and more fulfilled relationships, reflect on behaviours, and navigate change without shame. 

Working with Safe Ground means working differently. It’s about meeting people without judgement, holding space for accountability, and using creativity to disrupt cycles of harm. We believe real change happens when people are seen, challenged and supported, even (and especially) inside prison walls. Want to find out more? Follow this link! You can also email the Head of Safe Ground directly on emma.hulme@socialinterestgroup.org.uk to find out more!

Please be informed that as this role is based within a Prison environment, therefore further vetting from SIG's enhanced DBS will be required such as MOJ clearance. 

About You

This is a role for you if you truly believe change happens through relationships, not control; you will lead with warmth and clarity, and hold care and accountability together. 

You will be part of a values-led organisation that takes people, reflection, and creativity seriously. 

You will be comfortable working within a prison setting, with regular interactions with people from all backgrounds and circumstances that have led to them being imprisoned.

We’re seeking someone who has a genuine passion for making a difference to lives and helping to create safer communities for all. 

You will be a proactive leader, with the ability to motivate and empower a team to drive excellence, both as individuals and as a team, whilst providing practical solutions to challenges that arise. 

You will be knowledgeable about the criminal justice system and have experience of delivering programmes within custodial or complex environments. 

We’re looking for someone who can build rapport, trust, and create an environment that allows individuals to grow their skills and experience, and develop as individuals.

• Previous experience of programme delivery within the criminal justice or custodial settings essential 
• Facilitation experience with groups of participants with complex needs
• Ability to provide high-quality leadership support and line management to staff
• Ability to motivate and empower a team to achieve KPIs
• Ability to challenge harmful practice and create culture shifts within the Criminal Justice System
• Confident in managing day-to-day service operations and supporting staff with daily tasks, caseloads and the overall running of the service
• Ability to work flexibly to meet the demands and needs of the service, for example providing an emergency on-call service as and when required
• IT proficiency - we use various systems so look for someone who can learn and navigate new systems including case management, Microsoft, ATS, HR systems, and other types of organisational software.
• Alignment with values such as anti-shame, anti-punitive practice, and relational working, alongside Ambition, Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Transparency

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

What we Offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Employer Pension Contribution
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Access to discounted tickets for music events, shows, sports and more
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing at work
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• EDI Ambassador programme

About Social Interest Group (SIG)

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings, probation settings, and hospitals. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, Kent and Liverpool. Our goal is to transform lives through empowering change. 

We believe good care and support improves lives with the vision to create healthier, safer, and more inclusive communities. Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets.
Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group.