Reading Specialist Assistant

What we are offering

• Salary of £17,995.61
• Permanent and Part-time position
• 22.5 hours per week, no weekend work.
• Site-based role at HMP/YOI Peterborough.
• Please see attached benefits guide for everything we have to offer

Your Role as a Reading Specialist Assistant

At Sodexo, we are committed to making a meaningful impact on rehabilitation. As a Reading Specialist Assistant at HMP/YOI Peterborough, you will play a key role in ensuring prisoners develop essential reading skills that support their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. This is an opportunity to work in a unique environment where your passion for literacy and education can make a real difference.

In this role, you will work across both the male and female establishments at HMP/YOI Peterborough, supporting prisoners to develop functional reading skills. You will be responsible for conducting baseline reading assessments, delivering targeted interventions, and monitoring progress. A key part of your role will be to create and promote initiatives that encourage reading, working closely with Shannon Trust mentors, Neurodiversity Managers, librarians, and the Education Skills and Work team to ensure comprehensive support.

You will also play an active role in the implementation of the prison-wide reading strategy, engaging with hard-to-reach individuals and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to provide tailored reading support. Through collaboration with key stakeholders, you will contribute to the wider rehabilitation efforts at HMP/YOI Peterborough, ensuring prisoners leave custody with the literacy skills they need to succeed.

Please see the attached job description for a more detailed list of the main responsibilities.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential:

• Educated to a high level or equivalent experience in reading support
• Proven experience of achieving successful outcomes in literacy development
• Experience working with adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
• Passion for rehabilitation and resettlement of offenders
• Experience in delivering literacy and numeracy interventions while monitoring progress
• Sound knowledge of SEND needs and legislation, including the SEND Code of Practice
• Strong understanding of Diversity and Inclusion principles

Desirable:

• Previous experience in reading support
• Experience working in a prison environment
• Evidence of professional development in literacy and phonics

Why join us?

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 defined by the Equality Act 2010.
• 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.