Beyond the Gates: supporting young prison leavers in London into work

How your expertise as an HR professional can help young men leaving prison in London to find work and thrive.

Second chances through mentoring

Youth unemployment is a pressing issue with one in four young Londoners currently unemployed. Young men who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) are five times more likely to hold a criminal record that those who are not. Getting into work can be a key factor in preventing young men from reoffending and building an adult life where they can thrive. We are looking for HR professionals to mentor young men leaving HMP Isis in South East London to help them to find work and take the next positive step.

You realise how valuable your experience is to others. It is a humbling and rewarding experience.”
CIPD Trust mentor

For a young man leaving a Young Offenders Institute finding work can feel overwhelming. That’s where you come in. As an experienced HR professional, you know how to build someone’s confidence and what next steps they need to take to get hired. You can give them high-quality advice on the practicalities of a job search – where to find jobs, how to write a CV and what to do in an interview. You have the expertise to ask insightful questions that build self-awareness, increase confidence, unlock potential and help someone succeed at work.

Interested in getting involved? Register your interest

How will it work?

Register your interest and we’ll be in touch to set up a call.
You’ll receive a half-day of online trauma informed training and guidance to support you with the mentoring.
We’ll ask you to complete an enhanced DBS check.
You’ll get a tour of HMP Isis and the opportunity to see where the first mentoring sessions will take place.
We’ll match you with a mentee and arrange your first mentoring meeting.
You and your mentee will meet at least twice in HMP Isis before they are released. These meetings will be accompanied by a member of CIPD Trust staff.
Once your mentee is released we will support you to keep in touch and meet regularly. Your mentee could be released anywhere in the Greater London area and you may need to travel to meet them.
You will continue the mentoring for six to nine months and we’ll be on hand every step of the way to help you both make a success of the mentoring.

Interested in getting involved? Register your interest

I had two in-person meetings with my mentee before she was released and then we moved to a much more flexible approach to mentoring, which suited her better, making use of phone calls and WhatsApp. I was able to support on interview skills and techniques, particularly around value-based recruitment. Informal communication allowed me to provide encouragement and support on the day of the interview too. It really felt like we were in it together as she moved through the recruitment process. The selfie she sent me on her first day of work absolutely made my day.”

Frequently asked questions

What would I need to do?

You’ll mentor a young man at HMP Isis as they approach their release date and prepare for life outside the gates. Using your skills and experience as a people professional, you’ll support your mentee to develop the confidence and employability skills needed to find a job upon release and thrive in their new role.

How much time will it take?

You’ll meet with your mentee around three times in prison in the lead up to their release. The mentoring relationship will then continue, either face-to-face or via phone call, at regular intervals for approximately another six to nine months as your mentee seeks, and secures employment. Each meeting is likely to be no longer than an hour but initially you will need to travel to HMP Isis and to face-to-face meetings. You will also need to attend a three hour online training session and a prison visit prior to begining the mentoring.

What skills or experience do I need to become a mentor?

You’ll be a HR professional familiar with different elements of recruitment or supporting others in their job search. You will be able to offer practical advice and support alongside building your mentee’s confidence as they prepare to apply and interview for roles. You’ll be a sounding board when they secure a job and begin to navigate the challenges of working life. You’ll be able to create an environment where others feel safe to admit mistakes, ask questions and share ideas. We’re looking for current or former CIPD members who work in Human Resources or Learning and Development at any level.

What are the benefits of becoming a mentor?

Being a mentor is a brilliant way to develop your own skills: from brushing up on the practicalities of a job search through to refreshing your listening skills and ability to instil confidence in others. Choosing to work with a person with a conviction will provide you with a better understanding of the barriers that jobseekers can face and may even equip you with new skills and a fresh perspective to take back to the workplace.

What else do I need to consider?

You’ll need to be happy to be DBS checked. You’ll need to commit a couple of hours of your time, every two to three weeks across a 6-9 month period.

What if I can’t travel to HMP Isis but still want to get involved?

You can read more about our work with people with convictions and register your interest in getting involved here: https://cipdtrust.org/get-involved/volunteer-opportunities/people-with-convictions

Interested in getting involved? Register your interest

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