Careers Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG) Advisor - Prison Services

Practical careers guidance. Real plans beyond custody.

A prison sentence should not mean the end of someones working future. As a CIAG Advisor, you will help people in custody understand their skills, make realistic plans and prepare for employment, training or education after release.

You will manage a caseload, deliver one-to-one careers guidance and practical workshops, create action plans and maintain accurate records. This is purposeful work in a secure environment, with outcome targets, safeguarding responsibilities, strict procedures and prison regime changes that can disrupt even a well-planned day.

Before you apply: the essentials

To be considered, your CV and application must clearly demonstrate:

• Experience in careers guidance, employability coaching or rehabilitation support, including effective one-to-one work.
• Evidence of delivering group workshops, learning sessions or similar structured activities.
• Evidence of managing competing priorities, maintaining accurate records and following through on agreed actions.
• Evidence of working appropriately with sensitive information, safeguarding requirements, confidentiality or professional boundaries.
• A Level 3 or higher qualification in Information, Advice and Guidance, or willingness to work towards the required Level 4 qualification.
• Evidence of commitment, reliability and consistently delivering high standards of work.
• Evidence of delivering outcomes, targets, tasks, projects or agreed objectives.
• Ability to explain recent employment history clearly, including gaps or short-term roles during the previous five years.
• Confident working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, with ability to learn other digital systems.

Useful, but not essential

• Experience within prisons or the criminal justice system.
• Motivational interviewing or trauma-informed practice.
• Neurodiversity training or relevant experience adapting support for different learning and communication needs.

The real job

You will help people recognise transferable skills, explore realistic opportunities and turn conversations into practical action plans. You will deliver workshops covering areas such as CVs, applications, interviews, financial awareness and digital skills.

Some participants may have limited work history, low confidence, learning needs or significant barriers outside prison. You will identify what is preventing progress, connect people with appropriate support and professionally challenge unrealistic thinking or disengagement.

You will also work with prison colleagues, training providers, employers and community services to support progression towards employment, education or training.

What success looks like

Within your first 90 days, you should understand the prison regime, manage your caseload confidently and deliver purposeful guidance and workshops. Your action plans, records and supporting evidence should be accurate and timely, and you should be working effectively towards agreed outcomes.

You will receive structured training, management support and regular feedback.

The working reality

You will work every day inside a secure custodial environment. Searches, restricted-item rules and security procedures are part of the job. Movements can be delayed, sessions cancelled and access restricted because of lockdowns or changes to the prison regime.

You must remain organised, re-engage people when circumstances allow and maintain professional boundaries when hearing difficult or sensitive information. This is not a role without targets or administration.

What you get

• 25 days' annual leave, increasing with service.
• Vitality health and wellbeing support, including GP services, mental health support and physiotherapy.
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, including up to six counselling sessions a year and legal, financial and debt guidance.
• Workplace pension, with salary sacrifice available subject to eligibility and scheme rules.
• Share buy scheme.
• Up to 360 a year through IncentFit for eligible activities.
• Wellbeing, retail, fitness, travel and mobile discounts, including 20% off eligible EE mobile plans.

About Get Set UK

Get Set UK delivers employment, skills, apprenticeships, health and justice services, helping people overcome barriers and progress towards meaningful, sustainable employment. We are part of Palladium, a global impact organisation with more than 60 years' experience delivering programmes and solutions internationally.

Our values are Be Ambitious, Be Proud, Be Considerate, Be Inspiring and Own It, and they shape how we work with colleagues, participants and partners.

Recruitment process

Apply through our recruitment platform and complete the short initial questionnaire. If you start through Indeed or LinkedIn, you will still need to complete this before we can review your application.

We assess applications against the essential criteria and the evidence provided. Keep your CV clear and concise, focusing on what you personally did, owned, improved or delivered. One to two pages will suit many applicants, although up to three may be appropriate where relevant experience requires it.

If shortlisted, the process may include a recruiter conversation, online role assessment and hiring-manager interview with a realistic role exercise.

Before employment is confirmed, you must promptly provide the information and documents required for right-to-work checks, references, safeguarding, Enhanced DBS clearance and prison vetting. Any offer is conditional on satisfactory checks. Preparation, responsiveness and attention to detail matter throughout.

Eligibility and checks

You must have the full right to work in the UK. Sponsorship is not available for this role.

Any appointment will be subject to satisfactory references, right-to-work checks, Enhanced DBS clearance, prison vetting and any other safeguarding or security checks required for the role. You cannot begin work inside the prison until the required clearance is confirmed.

Get Set UK is a Disability Confident and Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout recruitment.

Get Set for a better tomorrow. Apply today.

Additional information

We reserve the right to close applications early, so we encourage early applications.

Get Set UK is a Disability Confident and Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals and are committed to supporting physical and mental wellbeing at work. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process if required.

This role is subject to satisfactory recruitment checks and a commitment to safeguarding learners and clients.

Get Set UK does not accept unsolicited CVs from agencies.