Prison Library Assistant

Role Responsibility

Prison Library Assistant Advert – HMP Standford Hill/ Isle of Sheppey prisons

The work of the prison library service is hugely rewarding and every day the front-of-house teams make a difference to the lives of their customers and communities. Prison Libraries have a lot more to offer than just books; with reading groups, talks, displays and projects to improve literacy and promote family ties.

To deliver all this, we need the right people serving our customers.  Prior library experience isn’t essential – it’s much more important that you’re outgoing and approachable, have a common sense approach, as well as a desire to improve the lives of prisoners.

If you enjoy working as part of a team but are confident to work on your own, and are passionate about delivering great customer service to the prison community, we would love to hear from you.

Ideal candidates will have excellent interpersonal skills, feel comfortable meeting and engaging with prisoners and be able to undertake a diverse range of tasks. If you have a positive outlook and good personal resilience, then this could the role for you.

22.5 hours per week to be worked over 3 days, and you will be required to undertake lone working. You may occasionally be asked to swap working days or work at other locations across the Prison Library district (Isle of Sheppey prisons) although this will be infrequent.

As a Kent County Council employee you will enjoy the following great benefits:

• 27 days annual leave rising to 29 after 5 years, plus bank holidays.
• Competitive salary.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Opportunities for training and professional development.
• A wide range of health and wellbeing support.
• Good work/life balance.
• Access to Kent Rewards scheme, with discounts and cashback from hundreds of companies.

This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.

A satisfactory full prison service security clearance will be required.

Interview dates: TBC

Start date: TBC (subject to Clearance)

Contact Details

For more information about this role, please contact:

Victoria Barnett, Prison Library Development Manager on 07920 792 322/ victoria.barnett@kent.gov.uk  

or Sarah Stevens, Customer Service Officer sarah.stevens3@kent.gov.uk 

About the Company

Work that works for you and us - let’s talk flexibility!

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county’s working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

Please note – if you are interested, please apply as soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.