Manager - Learning, Skills and Employment at HMP Morton Hall

Overview

This managerial role is located at HMP Morton Hall, Lincoln, and focuses on overseeing the Learning, Skills, and Employment function within the prison environment. The position involves adapting national policies to local needs, contributing to policy revisions, and ensuring that learning activities support offender rehabilitation and reduce reoffending risks.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all staff delivering Learning, Skills and Employment services, fostering a safe, respectful, and supportive atmosphere for prisoners and staff.
• Supervise Offenders Learning and Skills Service (OLASS) and non-OLASS activities including industries and gym facilities.
• Assist in planning and implementing quality assurance systems within the establishment, including coordinating Self-Assessment Reports.
• Develop, coordinate, and promote comprehensive learning programs encompassing education, vocational training, physical education, and library services to provide a coherent prisoner learning journey from reception to release.
• Administer distance learning, further education, and Open University programs, monitoring prisoner-managed Individual Learning Plans (ILP) quality.
• Collaborate with resettlement and risk management teams to support continued offender learning post-release by arranging appropriate pathways.
• Monitor Service Level Agreements with education, library, and training providers to ensure quality standards.
• Manage vocational training within prison industries, overseeing assessment and referral processes, and ensuring delivery of skills to achieve target qualifications.
• Chair quarterly Quality Improvement Group and OLASS Partnership meetings and maintain funding relationships with bodies such as the Learning and Skills Council and Youth Justice Board.
• Prepare documentation for internal and OFSTED audits, acting as the establishment's OFSTED nominee.
• Contribute to prisoner-related reports including Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) and parole documentation.
• Manage delegated budgets in line with financial procedures.
• Manage staff performance, development, appraisals, and sickness absence within the function.
• Ensure compliance with HMPPS standards, Service Delivery Indicators, security frameworks, local policies, and financial regulations.
• Participate in relevant boards and meetings, leading or contributing as required.
• Provide leadership through communication and relationship building within the team.
• Produce reports and respond to correspondence promptly.
• Forge strong relations with internal and external stakeholders.
• Plan and allocate resources to meet strategic objectives and assist in mid- to long-term business planning.
• Oversee compliance with Health and Safety legislation, ensuring risk assessments and staff awareness.

Additional Information

The duties listed are representative but not exhaustive; the role requires flexibility to undertake related tasks and potential job re-evaluation upon significant changes.

Behaviours Assessed

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

• Annual salary of A341,197
• Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension contribution of A311,934
• Access to learning and development opportunities
• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• Inclusive and diverse working culture
• Employer pension contribution rate of 28.97%
• Annual leave and public holidays
• Season Ticket Advance

Security and Eligibility

• Criminal record checks and baseline personnel security standards apply
• Open to UK nationals, Republic of Ireland nationals, Commonwealth nationals with UK work rights, EU/EEA/Swiss nationals with settled/pre-settled status, those with limited or indefinite leave to remain eligible under EU Settlement Scheme, and certain Turkish nationals with accrued rights

Equal Opportunities and Diversity

The Civil Service promotes diversity, inclusion, fairness, and equal opportunity through dedicated initiatives and schemes to support candidates, including those with disabilities and those at risk of redundancy.