Student Support Coach

Be the first step in a learner’s journey

We’re looking for a proactive and compassionate Student Support Coach to join our Prison Education team. This is a key front-facing role where you’ll support learners from their very first interaction with education, helping them access opportunities, overcome barriers, and stay engaged in learning.

As the first point of contact for learners, you’ll play a vital role in shaping positive first impressions, supporting induction, and ensuring every learner is set up for success.

What you’ll be doing

Induction & Assessment

  • Deliver a warm and professional welcome to learners entering education
  • Lead screening and assessment processes during induction
  • Gather learner history and assess starting points
  • Deliver engaging induction sessions to maximise participation and engagement

Learner Engagement & Support

  • Provide ongoing pastoral support to improve learner retention and achievement
  • Build relationships with learners to understand goals and barriers
  • Support learners at risk of disengagement and track interventions
  • Use trauma-informed approaches to support learners effectively

Progression & Guidance

  • Offer advice and guidance on available courses and learning pathways
  • Promote education opportunities, including Open University and distance learning
  • Support applications and liaise with tutors and external organisations
  • Ensure learners are enrolled on courses aligned to their sentence plans

Administration & Operations

  • Maintain accurate learner records and data across prison systems
  • Support enrolment, registers, exams, and invigilation processes
  • Coordinate with internal teams and partner agencies
  • Help maintain systems for the smooth running of the education centre

Teamwork & Flexibility

  • Work collaboratively with tutors, support staff, and prison teams
  • Support peer mentors and learner development activities
  • Provide cover across the team, including admin and induction duties where required
  • Contribute to achieving contract KPIs and standards

What we’re looking for

Essential

  • NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration (or equivalent)
  • Level 3 qualification in supporting individuals with learning disabilities (or equivalent)
  • Strong IT skills and ability to manage and analyse data
  • Excellent organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to motivate and engage learners, particularly those with barriers to education
  • Experience in administration and working with individuals with additional needs or trauma
  • High attention to detail and ability to manage records accurately
  • Understanding of safeguarding, equality, and data protection

Desirable

  • Information, Advice and Guidance qualification
  • Experience in prison or secure environments
  • Experience of exam invigilation and multi-agency working
  • Knowledge of OFSTED EIF

Why join us?

  • Play a crucial role in supporting learner engagement and achievement
  • Be part of a collaborative, supportive education team
  • Develop experience in prison education and learner support
  • Access ongoing training and development opportunities

Our values

We’re looking for people who demonstrate:

  • Customer First – supporting learners to improve their lives
  • True North – acting with integrity
  • Own It – taking accountability
  • Improve to be the best – striving for excellence

Apply now

If you’re passionate about supporting learners and making education accessible, we’d love to hear from you.
Back to blog

Other Jobs To Apply

No other job posts for this day.

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...