Assistant Librarian

Assistant Librarian

Location: HMP Dovegate, Uttoxeter, ST14 8XR
Salary: £26,510 per annum, plus excellent benefits
Schedule: 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday, 8am – 4.45pm

Ready to impact a better future?

As an Assistant Librarian in our Justice and Immigration team, you’ll assist with the day-to-day running of library and literacy services across HMP Dovegate. Through reading, learning and personal development initiatives, you’ll help people build skills, confidence and opportunities for a more positive future.

This is a role with real purpose. You’ll support education, encourage a culture of reading, and help individuals access learning opportunities that can positively impact their rehabilitation journey. From assisting with library services and literacy programmes to supporting distance learning and community engagement initiatives, your work will touch lives every day while creating a positive impact on communities and helping to impact a better future.

What you’ll do as a Assistant Librarian

• Ensuring resources are accessible, well-maintained and aligned to educational, cultural and wellbeing needs.


• Assisting with the delivery of the Prison-Wide Reading Strategy, including reading assessments, literacy interventions and reading engagement activities.


• Support the Shannon Trust programme, including mentor training, case management and ongoing programme development.


• Support distance learning opportunities, including Open University and Prisoners' Education Trust programmes, and maintain relevant learning resources.


• Plan and deliver reading and literacy initiatives, events and activities for prisoners and their families, including Storybook Dads, Children’s Book Project and other engagement programmes.


• Produce reports, monitor performance and work collaboratively with education, inclusion and operational teams to continually improve services.

Does this sound like you?

• A professional qualification in librarianship or information management, such as a Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals accredited qualification at Level 3 or above.


• Experience working within a library, learning resource centre or similar service, ideally within a secure, custodial or complex environment.


• Experience delivering literacy programmes, reading strategies or educational initiatives that support development and growth.


• Strong organisational, communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage and motivate a diverse range of people.


• Confidence using library management systems, digital learning platforms and Microsoft Office applications.

What we offer:

• Holidays: 23 days plus bank holidays (and the option to buy up to five additional leave days each year)


• Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme


• Training and development: Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (including L3 Team Leader and L5 Operations Manager apprenticeships), mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression


• Health and wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, wellbeing app, 30%, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service.


• Discounts: Blue Light Discount eligibility- Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel


• Charity: Paid volunteering day, tax-free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity


• Employee networks: Our networks support inclusion and connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, veterans, and people from all cultural backgrounds.

Vetting and checks: An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role. This includes spent and unspent convictions, cautions, and any relevant information held by local police, in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and safeguarding requirements. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire to allow us to provide any support needed for you to succeed in the role.

Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.

A little bit about us:
At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.

Our inclusive recruitment commitment:
We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme:
Applicants with disabilities and veterans who meet the minimum job criteria are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.

For support with your application, please contact [email protected].

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