Self-Employment Tutor (Prison Education)
Employer: Bhuku Ltd
Location: HMP Elmley, Sheerness, Kent
Contract: Fixed Term – 11 Months
Pay: £20 per hour
Programme: Bhuku Ltd – Lion’s Den: Enterprise & Self-Employment Programme
Bhuku Ltd is seeking an engaging and motivated Self-Employment Tutor to deliver our Lion’s Den enterprise and business development programme at HMP Elmley.
This role involves working with learners in custody to develop practical enterprise knowledge, confidence and entrepreneurial thinking. The successful candidate will help learners explore viable business ideas and develop their own business plans, supporting progression into lawful employment or self-employment on release.
Lion’s Den is an interactive and motivational programme designed specifically for custodial environments, combining enterprise education with personal development and practical business planning.
Working Pattern
This role follows a flexible monthly delivery schedule aligned to the prison’s course timetable.
The successful tutor will work:
* Minimum: 4.5 days per month (delivery of the main course)
* Maximum: 6 days per month (including mentoring / catch-up support days)
Delivery typically takes place over 4.5 days (Monday–Friday morning) for each course cohort.
Additional days may be used for:
* learner mentoring
* catch-up support
* enterprise advice sessions
* progression planning with learners approaching release.
The exact schedule will be agreed with the tutor at least one month in advance, allowing flexibility while ensuring delivery meets the needs of the prison.
The Role
The tutor will deliver monthly enterprise courses and provide additional one-to-one mentoring support to learners exploring self-employment opportunities.
Delivery will include both group workshops and individual support, helping learners develop viable business ideas and practical enterprise skills.
Programme Content (Lion’s Den)
The tutor will deliver sessions covering:
* Understanding self-employment and enterprise
* Personal characteristics required for running a business
* Identifying viable business ideas
* Recognising barriers to self-employment and developing solutions
* Communication and teamwork
* Decision-making and time management
* Identifying products and services
* Identifying potential customers and markets
* Marketing and promotion
* Developing and presenting a business idea
* Creating a structured business plan
* Understanding finance, tax and HMRC requirements.
Each learner will produce a personal business plan and portfolio of work demonstrating their progress throughout the programme.
Additional Responsibilities
* Deliver 1-to-1 mentoring and catch‑up support days
* Support learners preparing for release
* Offer guidance on funding opportunities and enterprise support
* Contribute to prison employment events where required
* Maintain Individual Learning Plans for learners
* Produce learner progress reports and feedback
* Contribute to monthly reporting to the prison Learning & Skills Manager.
Essential Skills and Experience
* Experience delivering training, mentoring or education
* Strong communication and facilitation skills
* Ability to engage learners with diverse backgrounds
* Knowledge of enterprise, employability or small business development
* Ability to motivate learners with low confidence or previous negative experiences of education.
Desirable
* Teaching, training or mentoring qualification
* Experience working in prisons or secure environments
* Experience supporting individuals into employment or enterprise
* Understanding of small business start‑up processes.
Security Clearance
All successful applicants will be required to pass Ministry of Justice security vetting before starting the role.
About Bhuku Ltd
Bhuku Ltd delivers innovative prison education programmes focused on enterprise, employability, personal development and life skills.
Our Lion’s Den programme helps learners develop viable business ideas, build confidence and prepare for employment or self‑employment on release.
How to Apply
Please email your CV and a short cover letter outlining your relevant experience to robyn.kandi@bhuku.co.uk.
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