Job Introduction
Do you have a passion for reading, literacy, information and customer service? Are you looking for a unique and inspiring role?
We see our library roles as more of a vocation, because you’ll be part of a community of partners, providing a much-needed service to our library users. The library is crucial in supporting the wellbeing of those in prison and it helps to promote positive behaviours in those library users. So, the work you’ll do will have a real impact on people lives and the community.
HMP Stafford is a category C adult male sex offender prison. The Library is a branch of Staffordshire County Council Library Service, and the onsite Library team work closely with Library staff in the other Prison Libraries in the County, as well as with onsite Prison and Partner staff and Management. This role reports to and works with both SCC, SCC PLS and Prison Management.
The Library is a well-used and valued resource within the Prison, and opens daily Tuesday to Saturday. The Library team of 3 Library assistants led by the Library Supervisor offer both outreach / wing based and main library service provision; supporting all prisoners with access to books, information, activities & resources.
If you’re someone who is eager to help, support and engage with library users and colleagues, and who would strive to make a difference then this could be the job for you.
This 14 hour part-time post usually operates on a Tuesday late morning to evening, Friday mornings and one in three Saturdays morning and afternoon. Shift patterns can be subject to change, including if the Prison regime changes in the future.
Please note that as stated, the salary range shown reflects potential salary range for fulltime hours, the actual salary paid is on a pro-rata basis for the 14 hour contract, please factor this in before you apply.
Main Responsibility
The Prison / custodial environment can be challenging but also extremely rewarding. Working in Prison Libraries is a vocational customer service role, that offers an opportunity to make a difference on a daily basis.
We aim to play a part in reducing reoffending and enabling prisoners, in improving their prospects and situation whilst in custody and for a future on release in the community, linking with public libraries, and leading into resettlement.
You will:
- Provide and develop an essential service, encouraging and promoting creativity, literacy and reading for pleasure and learning.
- Actively and directly engage with customers, to support them in using their library space, service and resources for their personal and professional development and benefit both short and long term.
- Work in the main library and across the prison to offer Library resources and activities
Prison Library Services are always evolving, and and so there will always be opportunity for new and exciting tasks and duties.
The Ideal Candidate
For this role you'll be:
- Positive, proactive, and customer-focused with a love of reading
- Confident, calm, and strong work ethic; works well individually and in teams
- Resilient, adaptable, and strategic thinker
- Eager to help and engage with customers and colleagues
- Committed to personal and professional development
- Flexible with availability, able to travel, and hold a valid UK driver's licence
If you have any specific questions about this role that are not covered in the advert or job description, please contact Sarah Cripps - sarah.cripps@staffordshire.gov.uk
Successful applicants will be invited to in-person interview at Stafford Prison.
Interviews will take place Thursday 29 May 2025.
This position is subject to a criminal records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) which will require you to disclose details of all unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form. Vetting and checks including employment reference checks, will be undertaken by the Prison / HMPPS and Staffordshire County Council.
The recruitment for this position is ongoing and so we reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closing date.
About Staffordshire County Council
We are no ordinary county council:
Our Values:
The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.
Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:
We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.
We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.
Our benefits:
We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.
In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire
Our recruitment process:
As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities
As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
As you’ll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that’s why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.
