Arts & Learning Strategic Lead

Job Title: Arts and Learning Strategic Lead

Location: Based at our head office in Islington, London (10 minute walk from Highbury and Islington station) with cross working in various prisons across England, Community sites, and home working

Salary: £47,000 (Full time equivalent)

Shift Pattern: 22.5 hours per week Monday to Friday between 09:00 - 17:00 with some flexibility. You may be required to work outside these hours as per service requirements.

About the role

This is a brand new role, supporting the Head of Safe Ground with the strategic oversight and delivery of our programmes. Safe Ground has been at the forefront of designing and delivering innovative arts-based, therapeutically informed interventions within the criminal justice system and in communities across the UK. As we approach our 30th anniversary this year, we remain dedicated to challenging systematic injustice through the programmes we run and the partnerships we build. This role is a great opportunity to be part of our transformative goals, in being part of creating systematic change.

Using theatre arts, and culture, we design initiatives to support those impacted by the criminal justice system in gaining deeper insights into themselves, their relationships and their behaviours. We do this by equipping our participants with practical tools and building a community who are open to doing things differently. In this role, you will develop best practice around creative interventions, building powerful partnerships with commissioners, partners, and other key stakeholders, ensuring our programmes are being delivered to the highest standards. You will lead on the development of new and existing arts-based work, identifying gaps and opportunities for growth within the sector.

• Oversee the development of new creative ideas and programmes as well as programme adaptations and redesigns. Ideas could be linked to theatre productions in and out of custodial settings, short films, live events, symposiums, but may also include new art forms and working with new artists
• Development of a local / national facilitator network
• Create and deliver engaging high-quality programmes which support rehabilitation and reintegration for participants
• Design and deliver innovation arts-based high quality training and quality assurance support to management and delivery teams across the SIG network - focusing specifically on relationships, culture and communication, conflict resolution, storytelling, power-sharing and co-production
• Lead on the development of creative ideas for Safe Grounds 30th anniversary, including; relationship building and partnership development, advocacy and networking, idea development - radio / stage / film etc
• Provide high quality peer-mentoring spaces, leadership, and line management to staff, offering guidance, support, and advice to the team to support them to perform to the best of their abilities. Facilitate the team in identifying solutions to challenges presented in relation to all elements of service delivery
• Proactively embed a culture of learning, development, reflection, and evaluation in a psychologically informed environment

Please note that in addition to our usual DBS checks and onboarding process, this role may require further vetting including prison clearance. 

About you

We are looking for someone who is ambitious and passionate about supporting people who have experienced multiple disadvantages and social exclusion. You will have proven experience in arts development and strategic support, with an extensive understanding of the criminal justice system and the role in which arts-based interventions play. You will be creative, empowering, and be a dedicated lead in supporting our strategic growth. You will understand arts-based interventions and methodologies, and have experience in developing and delivering creative programmes and productions.

• Previous experience in working and engaging with people of complex backgrounds, ex-offenders, mental health, substance misuse, challenging behaviours
• Previous experience in developing, producing, and/or performing professional productions for example film, television, or theatre productions
• Proven experience in designing innovative arts-based programmes and extensive experience of facilitation of programmes and/or training for various groups
• A theoretical understanding of co-production models and practical application of building them and embedding them into best practice
• Previous experience and/or ability to people manage and develop a team
• Ability to create, develop, and deliver new programmes and/or creative content in various settings such as prisons, communities, and wider criminal justice settings
• Excellent interpersonal skills, both written and oral. Ability to form and build effective relationships and rapport with others
• Proactive in making decisions to deal with challenges and providing a solution focused approach using initiative
• Alignment with our values of Ambition, Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Transparency

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

What we offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing at work
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• EDI Ambassador programme
• Be part of an organisation which believes good care and support improves lives.
• Join an organisation with a mission to empower people who are marginalised by building powerful partnerships and creative solutions that bridge gaps in provision and aid recovery, reablement and resettlement.

We value and celebrate the unique backgrounds, perspectives and experiences of all of our employees. We have a team of staff ambassadors who volunteer to actively support us in fortifying our organisational value of Inclusivity. They embrace this unique opportunity to deliver awareness, events, and developments to our organisation to support us in ensuring our value of Inclusivity is embedded throughout the organisation. 

SIG actively encourages applications from individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, particularly lived experience; Naturally, we approach any emerging issues with empathy and sensitivity. 

About Social Interest Group (SIG)

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings, probation settings, and hospitals. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, Kent and Liverpool. Our goal is to transform lives through empowering change. 
Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Please note that as part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check, some roles may require further vetting. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact us on the details below. 

For Recruitment related enquiries, or if you need support with making your application for example due to learning needs or a disability, please email recruitment@socialinterestgroup.org.uk or call our central office on 020 3668 9270 to request a call back. Please note that this will take you through to our Central Administration team, who will then communicate your enquiry with us and we will arrange to call you back. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions. 

Additional information on our company policies including Gender Pay, Equality and Diversity, Company Benefits and our Candidate Privacy Policy can be found on our website.

Closing Date

18-06-2025

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