Safe Ground Programme Facilitator

Location:

Based within HMP Forest Bank, Greater Manchester. You may be expected to travel to other services as required, including to Central London Central Office, HMP Altcourse 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. Step Free access is not available at this service.

We're hiring a Safe Ground Programme Facilitator to join our team based at HMP Forest Bank. In this role, you will support men in custody by delivering arts-based, therapeutically informed group interventions that explore identity, relationships, and behaviour. As a Programme Facilitator, you will support the delivery of Safe Ground's core programmes, including Fathers Inside and Man Up which have received national recognition being delivered nationally across custodial and community settings.

You will work closely with colleagues to facilitate structured group sessions, encourage participant engagement, and ensure sessions are well prepared and consistently delivered. You'll use creative approaches such as theatre, writing and participatory exercises to help participants reflect and engage in a meaningful way.

• Previous experience within a prison or other criminal justice setting and/or within a similar role
• Support delivery of structured group programmes, including Fathers Inside and Man Up which have received national recognition being delivered nationally across custodial and community settings
• Leading in facilitating arts-based, therapeutically informed group sessions
• Build rapport and trust with participants, supporting consistent engagement
• Respond appropriately to group dynamics and behaviour in a custodial setting
• Bespoke training and active learning will be provided
• Support session planning, preparation, and coordination of delivery
• Contribute to creative practice through theatre, writing and participatory methods
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to support programme delivery and development
• Adapt to changing operational demands within a remand environment

• Essential experience of working within a prison or criminal justice setting, or in a comparable role operating in complex environments
• Experience facilitating or supporting group work
• Experience working with complex, challenging, or marginalised groups
• Ability to manage behaviour and maintain clear boundaries
• Great organisational skills and ability to support programme delivery
• Ability to engage with people from different backgrounds, build rapport, and empower them to achieve their personal goals; respond flexibly to their needs and working patterns of the participants
• Interest in working within the criminal justice system and with men in custody
• Ability to use, learn and adapt to IT at an intermediate level, including Microsoft and other software programs
• Interest or experience in creative/arts-based approaches (e.g. theatre, writing)
• Understanding of the different needs people with multiple and complex needs have and be aware of the social marginalisation that can be attached to people who face personal challenges
• Alignment with our values of Ambition, Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Transparency

• Salary: £32,000
• 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.
• 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