Company Overview
Founded in Marseille in 1966 by Pierre Bellon, Sodexo is the global leader in sustainable food and valued experiences at every moment in life: learn, work, heal and play. The Group stands out for its independence, its founding family shareholding and its responsible business model. Thanks to its two activities of Food and Facilities Management Services, Sodexo meets all the challenges of everyday life with a dual goal: to improve the quality of life of our employees and those we serve, and contribute to the economic, social and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. For Sodexo, growth and social commitment go hand in hand.
Main Responsibilities
- Lead the strategic direction for Education, Skills, and Work (ESW) within the prison, ensuring alignment with HMPPS and Sodexo’s education vision and values.
- Develop and implement evidence-based strategies to maximize opportunities for prisoners to gain education, skills, and qualifications, which will enhance their employability on release.
- Oversee the delivery of key functions including education, neurodiversity, employment on release, prison industries, and gardens, ensuring compliance with national frameworks.
- Collaborate with the Head of Reducing Reoffending and other senior leaders to enhance education, skills, and work opportunities, and support effective prisoner resettlement.
- Lead the preparation and management of inspections, including Ofsted, HMIP, and other relevant audits, and ensure actions arising from inspections are effectively delivered.
- Champion a culture of employment within the prison, guiding the Prison Employment Lead and maximizing external relationships with partners such as the New Futures Network, Probation Services, and local enterprises.
- Oversee the delivery of prison industries and activities, including workshops, gymnasium services, and other employment opportunities.
- Line manage and develop staff within the function, setting high expectations and providing coaching and mentoring to ensure consistent performance.
Essential
Person Specification:
- Excellent organizational skills and the ability to work under pressure.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to coach and mentor others.
- Proven ability to negotiate and influence change at senior levels.
- Experience in managing and leading staff, fostering a high-performance culture.
- A high level of integrity, reliability, and the ability to meet strict deadlines.
- PGCE, Cert Ed, or Level 5 in Education and Training.
Desirable
- Previous experience within a prison setting.
- Experience in middle or senior management in primary, secondary, or post-16/adult education, including community and voluntary sectors.
- Detailed knowledge of Ofsted/Estyn’s Education Inspection Framework (EIF) and further education and skills criteria.
- Experience working collaboratively with senior leaders, external organizations, and stakeholders.
- Proven track record of developing and delivering effective, engaging curricula.
- Experience using data to set clear education outcomes and monitor progress.
- Knowledge of strategies for supporting learners to secure meaningful ‘next steps’ (e.g., employment, further training).
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