Ministry of Justice UK
22879 - Specialist Production Instructor Upholsterer
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Job Description
Overview of the Job
This is a non-operational instructional job in an establishment. The job holder will be responsible for providing supervision, knowledge, and skills to prisoners in a specialist workshop to improve their employment prospects on release, aiming to reduce reoffending. The job holder will ensure all services are provided to a high standard, maintaining security and control at all times. The job holder will be able to teach prisoners towards achieving nationally recognized qualifications and may be supported by external organizations such as local colleges.
This job description is not for use by job holders in basic assembly/packing workshops. Instead, Production Instructor – Enterprises should be used. However, on an exceptional short-term basis, job holders can supervise prisoners in more basic workshops.
Responsibilities, Activities, and Duties
- May participate in the selection process of prisoners for the workshop/area of work.
- Induct prisoners to the workshop/area of work and train them in aspects such as health and safety, Control of Substance Hazardous to Health (COSHH), machinery and tools usage.
- Provide support for prisoners where required; tailor learning and training requirements to individual needs.
- Set work schedules and manage targets/quality standards, maintaining delivery of contractual arrangements.
- Assess and evaluate skills of prisoners up to national qualification standards.
- Supervise and maintain discipline of prisoners within workshop/area of work, responsible for performance, motivation, discipline, appraisal, and development of prisoners.
- Maintain regular communications via radio net in accordance with Local Security Strategy (LSS).
- Open and complete Assessment Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) forms, Violence Reduction Incident Reports (VRIR), and Security Information Reports (SIRs) when required and contribute to Incentive Earned Privileges (IEP) reports.
- Conduct a metal detector scan or rub down search of prisoners attending and leaving their own workshops.
- Provide quality assurance against product specification.
- Log attendance and approve prisoner hours worked and wages, including recording piece work where appropriate.
- Carry out fabric and tool checks of workshops and maintain security of areas, logging any tool/equipment faults. Undertake planned maintenance programme on machinery.
- Contribute to prisoner reports including parole and sentence planning.
- Complete regime monitoring information and update prisoner training records.
- Contribute to Health and Safety risk assessments relating to the workshop/area of work and specialist areas.
- Request materials and estimate usage in order to meet work targets.
- Initiate product development reviews to maintain workshop/area of work output levels and to provide a variety of work and experience for prisoners.
- Participate in self-audit and in achieving Service Delivery Indicators (SDIs).
- Complete administration activities to support the smooth running of the workshop.
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Behaviours
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Developing Self and Others
Ability
- IT Skills
- Basic Maths
- Basic English
Experience
- Must have relevant work experience in a production environment.
- Preferable for candidate to have some supervisory experience.
- Should have experience of using industrial standard machinery and equipment.
Technical
- Currently hold or be prepared to work towards Level 3 or equivalent in Upholstery-related subject.
Hours of Work (Unsocial Hours) Allowances
37-hour working week (standard).
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites, and/or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
Benefits
- Annual Leave: The holiday year runs from 1 March. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment.
- Bank, Public, and Privilege Holidays: You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public, and privilege holidays. These hours are added to your annual leave allowance.
- Pension: The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes.
- Work Life Balance: HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements. Work-life balance provides greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wherever managers and establishments can accommodate requests to do so.
- Season Ticket Advance: After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer-period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work.
- Childcare Vouchers: For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers.
- Training: HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities.
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Eligibility
- All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.
- All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS.
- All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organization which the HMPPS considers to be racist.
Contact Information
For any assistance, please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or email moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk. Please quote the job reference 22879.
Application Form Stage Assessments
Behaviours:
- Working Together
- Making Effective Decisions
- Developing Self and Others
Word Limit: 250
Interview Stage Assessments
Interview Dates: Expected 22nd October 2026
Behaviours:
- Working Together
- Making Effective Decisions
- Developing Self and Others
Level of security checks required: DBS Standard
General Information
- Salary: £34,440
- Working Pattern: Full Time
- Vacancy Approach: External
- Location: Nottingham
- Region: East Midlands
- Closing Date: 26-Oct-2026
- Business Unit: Lowdham Grange
- Post Type: Permanent
- Civil Service Grade: EO
- Number of jobs available: 1
- Reserve List: 12 Months
- Job ID: 22879
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