Programme Manager
About The Big House
The Big House has a simple mission: to enable care leavers and at-risk young people to fulfil their potential.
The statistics are stark and speak for themselves. While only 1% of children in England & Wales have been in care, they account for 27% of the adult prison population and half of all prisoners under 25. A shocking 46% of care leavers remain continuously NEET (not in education, employment or training) and they are four times more likely to commit suicide.
Through drama and tailored long-term support we help care leavers and at-risk young people overcome traumas experienced in childhood so they can make the complex transition from looked-after child to independent adult. The Big House’s main activities are: weekly drop-in drama and employment workshops and the 3-month Open House Project which runs twice yearly.
Primary function of the role
We are looking for an experienced drama facilitator with a passion for social change to lead The Big House’s pilot programme delivering drama workshops in pupil referral units (PRUs) across London. The Programme Manager will be responsible for designing the workshop curriculum, managing facilitation, and ensuring the smooth running of the programme. This role would suit someone who is committed to making a long term success of The Big House’s PRU programme.
The successful candidate will be an experienced drama workshop facilitator who is comfortable working with young people with additional needs and/or challenging behaviour. We are looking for someone who is passionate about the mission of The Big House: to enable at-risk young people to fulfil their potential. They will play a vital role in ensuring the long-term success of The Big House’s work in PRUs and creating lasting relationships with young people who we could continue to support through our core programmes in the future.
Our current team of facilitators working in PRUs comes from The Big House’s membership – many of whom have lived experience of attending PRUs and can relate to the challenges faced by the young people taking part in these workshops. We strongly encourage applicants to this role from similar backgrounds who can relate to and inspire the young people they will work with.