Programmes Facilitator

Job Title:

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.

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.

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.

Working within a remand prison setting, you will need to build trust quickly, respond to complex group dynamics, and maintain clear boundaries in a fast‑paced, unpredictable environment.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• 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

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.

We are interviewing on an ongoing basis so this job role may close early. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions.

We’re looking for a confident and engaging facilitator who is comfortable working with groups in complex or challenging environments, including men in custody. You will be able to build trust quickly, manage group dynamics, and create a safe and consistent space for participants. You’re calm under pressure, adaptable, and a strong team player with a genuine interest in creative, arts-based approaches.

You will be able to work collaboratively as part of a team, and will have alignment with our SIG values. You will be keen to support our…