Prison Estate Training & Development Lead (London)

in Sickle Cell Disorders

The work of the Sickle Cell Society (SCS) seeks to reduce the marginalisation of people with regards to addressing health inequalities they face in living with Sickle Cell Disorders (SCD). We are looking to recruit an experienced Training & Development Lead to join the team and manage the delivery and development of our work in nine of London’s prisons. This project aims to improve the health outcomes for sickle cell patients through improving timely access to high quality, expert care during their time in custody.

Job Purpose

In line with the NHS England (NHSE) 2022/23 healthcare “New Models of Care” this project aims to reduce inequities and improve timely access to high quality expert care for sickle cell patients detained by His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Services – HMPPS (London).

The key aims of the project are to:

• Identify the healthcare needs at the earliest possible opportunity on their prison journey for all sickle cell patients in custody;
• Ensure the patient voice is heard, understood and responded to by healthcare, prison staff and patient peers detained in prison, i.e. cell-mates, for timely response to patient care needs, including an understanding of issues which may exacerbate a SCD crisis and how to respond to potential crisis;
• Empower/support patients to better understand how to self-manage their healthcare needs/their condition during their prison detention;
• Increase the awareness and understanding of sickle cell conditions with health and care professionals and the wider prison estate workforce. To ensure they have the skills and knowledge to identify and/or prevent incidents or escalation of sickle cell crisis, and reduce stigma and adversity that patients may experience.

The post-holder will oversee the successful programme development and delivery to meet the aims and objectives of this pilot project.

This pivotal role will have first hand knowledge of sickle cell and work closely with the project steering group, Clinical Specialists and the prison workforce and sickle cell patients in their care across the project’s footprint to understand patient needs during their detention in custody.

The role will necessitate developing a flexible, bespoke training programme which meets the needs of key stakeholder groups whilst taking into consideration the restrictions imposed by the prison environment. This may include the offer of training virtually/online, and/or face-to-face at prison location/s.

The training and development lead will co-ordinate on collating and reviewing the current knowledge/understanding of all stakeholder groups regarding sickle cell. With this knowledge they will seek to improve sickle cell patients’ experiences within HMPs, through the development and delivery of advocacy resources and a tailored education and training programme. The role will also liaise with a number of organisations commissioned by NHSE (London) to assist with patient engagement, to ensure the patients voice is listened to, including the following organisations Peer Power, User Voice and Pact.

The post holder will also be responsible for the project budget and evaluation, including working closely with an external agency for the monitoring and evaluation of the programme over its three years duration. We have received public sector funding to enable this innovative project to pilot. Subject to a successful evaluation and securing additional funding, this role may continue.

We are seeking an individual with strong programme management, communication, networking and advocacy skills to build relationships with key stakeholders. We would welcome applications/secondments from NHS England, Health and Justice staff.

More Information, and to apply

Full role details are in the Job Description

We do not accept CVs.

Please complete the Application-Form and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form and send them to application@sicklecellsociety.org , using ‘Prison Estate Training & Development Lead’ as the subject line,  before the closing date.

Please note all applicants must reside and have the right to work in the UK.

Closing date for applications: 31 October

Interview date via Zoom or Microsoft Teams: 11 November