16421 - Instructional Officer Industrial and Mobile Cleaning

General Information

Salary £33,275 Working Pattern Full Time Vacancy Approach External Location Manchester Region Greater Manchester, North West Closing Date 21-Apr-2026 Business Unit Manchester Post Type Permanent Civil Service Grade EO Number of jobs available 2 Reserve List 12 Months Job ID 16421

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

• Deliver accredited industrial cleaning qualifications (e.g. BICS, COSHH, Health & Safety).
• Develop training materials, demonstrations, and practical assessments.
• Support learners to build portfolios and progress towards achievable outcomes.
• Adapt teaching to accommodate SEND/ALN needs and varying learning abilities.
• Provide ongoing coaching in cleaning methods, equipment use, and workplace conduct.

Overview of the job

This is a non-operational instructional job in an establishment.

Summary

The job holder will be responsible for instructing and training prisoners by building effective, appropriate and supportive relationships through managing them in a proactive manner and promoting the decency agenda. Contributes to sentence planning and reducing reoffending. Applies safer custody practices and complies with national and local security standards. Responsible for high level of security, productivity, good order and hygiene within workshops areas. 

This is a non-operational job with no line management responsibilities.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

• Deliver BICS training to prisoners to cover both the establishment’s needs and aspirations in working towards gaining industry recognised accreditations.
• Participate in the selection process of prisoners for the workshop/area of work undertaking prisoner learning need assessments.
• 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.
• Maintain and update learner records including their Individual Learning Plan accordingly.
• Assess and evaluate skills of prisoners including National Vocational Qualification levels 1 and 2 and other relevant industry recognised qualifications.
• Liaise with Headquarters Learning and Skills staff where required.
• Undertake the registration, supervision, monitoring, assessment and accreditation of learners in accordance with awarding body requirements.
• Maintain awarding body quality standards and contribute towards internal and external verification as required.
• Set learning aims and learning goals, reviewing and providing feedback on prisoner progress.
• Provides support and advice on career opportunities for area of work.

Undertake other instructor tasks including:

• Supervise and maintain discipline of prisoners receiving training, education or work experience. Responsible for performance, motivation, discipline, appraisal and development of prisoners.
• 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.
• Log attendance and approve prisoner hours worked and wages including recording piece work for individual prisoners in certain workshops.
• Carry out fabric checks of workshops and maintain security of lock, bolts and bars used in the workshop.
• Contribute to prisoner reports including parole, sentence planning and Individual Learning Plan.
• Complete regime monitoring information and update prisoner training records. • Log any tool/equipment faults, which require maintenance and repair of tools.
• Conduct risk and health and safety assessments on consumables under Safer Custody guidelines.
• Order materials and estimate usage in order to meet work learning targets. • Participate in self-audit and in achieving Service Delivery Indicators (SDIs).
• Complete administration activities to support the smooth running of the workshop.
• Open up individual learning paths for learner and keep them updated.
• Locate individual learner’s literacy and numeracy levels for their initial assessment and support them in developing their skills further.
• Advise and assist learners in seeking appropriate and relevant employment opportunities upon resettlement when possible.
• Conduct roll checks of prisoners within the workshops.
• Carry out workshop searches and ensure all tools, equipment and raw materials are safe, secure and properly accounted for.
• Arrange maintenance and repair of tools and equipment.
• Maintain regular communications via radio net in accordance with Local Security Strategy (LSS).
• Supervise, manage and control prisoners decently, safely and securely whilst carrying out all activities.
• Understand, apply and conform to national and local polices.
• Establish, develop and maintain professional relationships with prisoners and staff.
• Attend and contribute to relevant meetings as required.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder. 

An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.

Behaviours

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

Essential Experience

• Have knowledge of accreditation process including the Qualification and Credit Framework

Technical Requirements

• Staff can work towards the essential qualification.
• Be in possession of a British Institute of Cleaning Service BICS Assessor Certificate associated with the BICSc scheme/schemes being delivered i.e. Cleaning Operators Proficiency certificate COPC/ Food Premises Cleaning Certificate FPCC.
• Be in possession of a British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) Cleaning Operators Proficiency certificate for each of cleaning tasks being delivered.
• Be in possession of or work towards within 6 months of taking up post a BICSc train the trainer certificate.

Hours of Work (Unsocial Hours) Allowances

37 hour working week (standard)

Additional Information

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.

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS’ Flexible Working policy.

If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff.

The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.

Benefits

Annual Leave

-The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case.

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. There is a requirement to work some public and bank holidays subject to your shift pattern and the operational needs of the establishment

Pension

-The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

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. HMPPS offers flexible working subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period and NVQ

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, including areas such as Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti Bullying Programmes

-There are opportunities to access promotion programmes and HMPPS provides a variety of training appropriate to individual posts

-All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles

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 organisation which the HMPPS considers to be racist

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

• To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk); 
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 16421

HMPPS:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 16421

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Application form stage assessments

Behaviours Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit 250 Managing a Quality Service Communicating and Influencing Working Together Changing and Improving Experience We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods CV or Work History Evidence of Experience CV or Work History

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates Expected 27/04/2026 Behaviours Managing a Quality Service Communicating and Influencing Working Together Changing and Improving Technical Can you explain the correct procedure for safely using, storing, and diluting industrial cleaning chemicals in a secure environment such as a prison, and why each step is important. Level of security checks required DBS Standard Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.