23227 - Programmes Facilitator

The Ministry of Justice is searching for a Programme Facilitator to join the team at HMP Manchester. This role sits inside a small, dedicated group of staff delivering rehabilitative programmes aimed at helping prisoners understand their behaviours, build positive relationships, sharpen critical-thinking skills and pursue an offence-free future. The work supports the government’s aim to reduce re-offending and sits within a safeguarding framework that prioritises the welfare of everyone involved.

Based in Manchester, this is a permanent civil service post (EO grade) with three vacancies available. The arrangement is onsite at the prison, with the Civil Service offering hybrid working where business needs allow. The programme work is non-operational and non-rotational, with no line management responsibilities, and staff will receive training and professional support as part of ongoing development. The current vacancy is based in HMP Manchester and carries the job reference 23227, with a closing date of 02-Nov-2026.

If you’re drawn to hands-on rehabilitation work, enjoy collaborative problem solving and want to help people make meaningful changes, this role could suit you. It’s a chance to contribute to a vital service within the justice system while working closely with a small supportive team.

Delivering programmes inside HMP Manchester

On a typical day you’ll deliver a range of activities and programmes either in groups or on a one-to-one basis, following a defined manual and adapting delivery to meet participants’ needs. The role involves preparing session materials, planning sessions to match programme requirements, and reacting to participant needs so sessions remain accessible and impactful. You’ll also be responsible for spotting when sessions can’t run, coordinating with Treatment Managers and the wider team to catch up on missed sessions, and maintaining a precise record of assessments and prisoner contact.

Recruiting future programme participants is part of the job, including conducting assessments and using screening tools, while keeping an accurate database of outcomes. You’ll conduct motivational interviews with prisoners to boost engagement and keep participants motivated over time, including post-session debriefs and writing progress records. After programme completion, you’ll contribute to post-programme tasks, set objectives, and share progress with sentence management teams. You’ll also liaise with prison and community Offender Managers as part of sentence management and contribute to the organisation’s quality assurance framework with support from your treatment manager. Ongoing supervision and professional development are included, and you’ll sometimes deliver awareness packages to other staff in the establishment.

The job emphasises safeguarding and adherence to the organisation’s policies, and the team welcomes continual professional development. While this is a non-operational role, the duties listed may adapt to fit the post’s needs, and reasonable alterations or additional tasks of a similar level may be discussed if required. Clear spoken English is essential to effectively carry out all duties.

The must-haves and nice-to-haves

• Experience delivering programmes with groups or individuals in a structured setting, ideally following a manual
• Strong ability to organise session materials, plan sessions, and tailor delivery to participant needs
• Experience conducting motivational interviews to engage participants in programmes
• Proven skills in maintaining accurate records and managing an outcomes database
• Ability to engage with both prisoners and colleagues, including liaison with sentence management teams and Offender Managers

• Previous work in offender rehabilitation or similar therapeutic environments
• Exposure to quality assurance processes and supervision within a regulated workplace
• Experience delivering awareness sessions or training to other staff
• Familiarity with safeguarding policies and training requirements relevant to working in a custodial setting

What you’ll earn and the practical details

The role carries a salary of £34,440 per year. The working pattern is full time with flexible working, and the job is based in Manchester within the Greater Manchester region. The Civil Service standard is 37 hours per week, excluding unpaid breaks. Hybrid working is available where business needs allow, but the role must be performed in the UK (not overseas).

In addition to salary, you’ll benefit from annual leave that runs from 1 March each year, with pro-rata entitlements for non-standard patterns. Bank, public and privilege holidays total nine days (66 hours 36 minutes) added to your annual leave. The Civil Service offers pension options, and staff can access flexible working arrangements after a satisfactory probation period. Other benefits include a Season Ticket Loan after two months’ service and childcare vouchers if applicable, as well as training opportunities and a structured induction. The MoJ supports staff development and provides security and diversity training along with an induction into new roles.

Security and nationality checks apply. External candidates typically start with six months’ probation, while internal candidates may have different probation rules if they have not previously served a probation period. The department is a Disability Confident employer and offers adjustments in recruitment as required. Nationality rules cover UK nationals, Irish nationals, certain Commonwealth nationals, and various European nationalities with settled or pre-settled status, among other eligibility criteria. A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months for future appointments.

Interview and assessment elements include a combination of behaviours and presentations, with interviews expected to take place in the week of 9th to 13th November. Strengths will be assessed as part of the process, though not disclosed in advance. Candidates should be prepared for DBS Enhanced and Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) as part of the security requirements.

Advice for applicants

Lead with your most relevant experience at the top of your CV by describing roles where you delivered group and individual programmes in settings similar to custodial environments and how you followed a defined manual to achieve outcomes.

Show concrete examples of how you recruited participants, conducted assessments, used screening tools, and maintained a clear outcomes database. Demonstrate how you motivated and engaged participants across sessions, including post-session debriefs and progress reporting to sentence management teams.

In the interview, be ready to discuss how you plan sessions to meet programme requirements, how you adapt to different participant needs, and how you manage records and post-programme tasks. You’ll want to illustrate your teamwork with Treatment Managers, Group Workers, and Offender Managers, and share how you participate in supervision and ongoing professional development.

Ask a precise question about how the role collaborates with sentence management teams and how the quality assurance framework guides day-to-day delivery. A thoughtful question shows you’ve considered how the programme fits into broader rehabilitation objectives and how success is measured in practice.

Applying details

To apply, note the job reference 23227 and the closing date of 02-Nov-2026. There are three vacancies for this position. For assistance during the application, you can call MoJ recruitment at 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or email [email protected]. If you are applying as a current NPS employee or otherwise eligible for internal processes, discuss options with the relevant Business Unit before formalising your application. The Civil Service Code applies, and inquiries about fairness can be directed through the listed contacts. The role supports a diverse and inclusive workplace and includes various development and welfare provisions typical of Civil Service recruitment.