Functional Skills - Phonics Tutor

Sodexo is currently seeking a dedicated and compassionate Functional Skills - Phonics Tutor to work within HMP YOI Bronzefield. 

Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Our department is dedicated to providing transformative education opportunities for prisoners, empowering them with essential skills and competencies to reintegrate successfully into the community and reduce re-offending.

Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Developing Schemes and Materials: Create comprehensive learning schemes, materials, resources, and engaging activities.
• Planning and Delivering Functional Skills Programs: Design and implement functional skills programs that provide prisoners with practical abilities for daily life and future employment.
• Skill Development for Independence: Help women prisoners acquire skills that enable independent living post-discharge, fostering better societal reintegration and positively impacting recidivism rates.
• Collaborative Approach: Work alongside our education and regime delivery teams to promote and deliver a diverse range of relevant educational programs tailored to prisoners' needs.

HMP & YOI Bronzefield is the largest women’s prison in Europe which accommodates a diverse and complex population of women from restricted Status women who require the highest levels of security, women on remand (Who are often experiencing custody for the first time), as well as supporting women with chronic mental health conditions.

Join Sodexo and be part of something greater. You belong in a team where you can act with purpose and thrive in your own way.

For more information on Sodexo Careers please visit

Main Responsibilities

• To teach phonics and early reading improvements across the prison.
• To contribute to improvements in phonics and early reading across the prison to achieve high quality teaching that enable learners to make effective progress.
• To take an active and positive role in the development of early reading within the prison as a member of the teaching team.
• Fulfilling the professional responsibilities of a teacher, as set out in this job description.
• In addition to teaching phonics to early readers, teach learners to increase their basic education levels up to Entry Level 3.
• Plan, develop, implement and evaluate activities and appropriate courses.
• Challenge negative behaviour and increase self-esteem by role modelling.
• Increase prisoners’ employability and reduce re-offending by supporting their rehabilitation.
• Deliver accredited and non-accredited courses in Functional Skills English classes.

Please see attached job description for further information regarding the role requirements.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential

• Full teaching qualification in English.
• Experience of teaching phonics (primary and/or adult).
• To have an interest in the rehabilitation and resettlement of offenders
• To have an ability to communicate effectively at all times through different mediums, including spoken and written communication.
• A flexible and responsive attitude.
• Enthusiasm for the subject area.
• Willingness to innovate and demonstrate self-motivation.
• Awareness of and commitment to the promotion of equal opportunities and the recognition of diversity and inclusion.

Desirable

• Experience of delivering Functional Skills in the classroom.
• Experience of instructing/supporting people with challenging behaviour.
• Assessor or IV qualification is desirable. 
• Experience in a prison environment.

Package Description

£33,247.29 - £38,362.27 per annum plus LW.

Working Hours

37.50 hours (Regular Monday – Friday pattern).

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater. You’ll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we offer:

• Sodexo Discounts including Costco Membership, Free Spree cashback card and Gym discounts.
• Sodexo Retirement Plan.
• Access to ongoing training and development programs including apprenticeships.
• Countless opportunities for career development and to grow within the company.
• Community Online Academy (COA).
• Employee Lottery.
• Mental Health First Response Programme.
• Health and wellbeing incentives including Spectrum.Life, YuLife and Talk.
• Reward and Recognition schemes.
• Flexible working considered.
• Stop Hunger Foundation and Volunteering days. 
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Bupa Healthcare Plan.
• Life Assurance. 
• Free meals (if applicable) and parking on site.

Please see benefits guide attached which outlines all of Sodexo's excellent benefits! 

We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be natural, and be the best versions of themselves. We recognise that we’re on a journey with regards to diversity and inclusion and would therefore welcome applications for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds.

All offers are subject to full security clearance checks. 

About The Company 

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.

We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be natural, and be the best versions of themselves. We recognise that we’re on a journey with regards to diversity and inclusion and would therefore welcome applications for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations. We run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.

To be considered for an interview you must:

• have a disability
• provide evidence in your application that you meet the minimum criteria in the job description.
• meet all of the qualifications, skills or experience defined as essential.