Former HMP Low Newton learner finds employment upon release

Helping learners to find sustainable employment on release requires a collaborative approach and also patience, working with multiple different employers to give learners the best opportunity to find something that works for them.

A former learner from HMP Low Newton has successfully found employment upon release, after engaging with Novus Works and IAG employment support services whilst in prison. The learner, who had been in and out of prison many times and never engaging with employment services, was referred to Sarah Briton, Novus Works Coordinator via Louise from IAG. The learner expressed that she had recently given birth to her twins and was now ready to seek employment.

Louise had already discussed different routes into employment and the support that Novus Works can offer. The learner was already engaging in the Novus education provision, completing four qualifications around food/hospitality and was determined to make something of herself. 

Sarah first invited the learner to an employment session in the education department which runs on Tuesday mornings supported by DWP and IAG, working closely with both the learner and her tutor, so that they could arrange a date for the learner to attend the employment session and not disturb her qualification.

The learner was able to attend an employment session in July and worked hard creating a CV and making plans for the future, she shared that she had not felt this way before. But having the babies in her life was more important than anything else. Through the employment session, she was fully engaged and making a genuine effort to change. 

Employment events to support learners into employment upon release

HMP Low Newton held an employment event where Stephen from Max Spielman came in and interviewed learners. The learner who had been engaging in the employment sessions, attended the event and did very well in her interview. Despite her not being offered a job, she was offered a work trial on release should she want it, which helped boost her confidence and was happy that there was something for her. 

The learner then attended another session, that HMP Low Newton ran with another employer, Mott MacDonald. The session was focused on soft skills and how these can link in with employment again, the learner engaged well in the session and was highly motivated throughout. 

Finding employment upon release with the support from Novus Works

Before her release, the learner agreed to keep attending employer events and interviews, working closely with Sarah and the wider employment team. Once released from prison, the former learner kept in touch with the Novus Works team and was very keen to work and desperate to start a job quickly. 

Sarah from the Novus Works team contacted Lynne from Greene King to see if there was an urgent opening for the former learner. There was an opening in the learner's area, and she was offered an interview. Sarah also contacted Smart Works who provided interview clothing and a bus pass to the learner, who was thankful and agreed to attend the interview. 

The interview was a success, and the learner was offered the job with Greene King. She was delighted to hear the good news and said that these are the first steps to the rest of her life. 

Engaging in employment services in prison, is a huge factor to learners finding employment upon release. Thanks to the collaborative effort of Novus Works and the IAG team at HMP Low Newton, a former learner who had never engaged in employment services in prison before, was able to change their life around for the better and find employment upon release.

To learn more about how we provide employment opportunities to learners, head over to the news section.