Overview
BEGIN Advice, Information and Referral Officer (Full time, Permanent) – Nottingham
Your future is here
A place to inspire
BEGIN (Basic Educational Guidance in Nottinghamshire) is a well-established partnership service providing advice and placement for ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), and Functional Skills Maths and/or English courses. Nottingham College funds most of its work and the small team is a vital part of the College’s adult employability work.
BEGIN helps 3,500 to 4,000 people a year to find the right learning opportunities – from beginner levels to GCSE-equivalent levels. The service is integral to Nottingham College’s Adult, Community and 16-18-year ESOL provision. It also works with a wide range of external organisations to take enquiries, track people’s changing needs, and place them in a range of provision across Nottingham – from informal Conversation Groups to formal ESOL or Functional Skills Maths and English courses with exams. A key function of our centralised ‘one-stop-shop’ model is to cut duplicate ESOL enquiries whilst finding the best available learning opportunities for people to ‘get started’.
Who we need
We are seeking a full-time permanent Advice, Information & Referral Officers to support this rewarding work. Key duties include telephone work to screen and log people’s needs, including language levels, UK residency, employment, income and benefit status. Detailed data inputting of enquiries, regularly updating people’s information and booking learner appointments are also significant parts of the work. Candidates must be able to undertake ‘hybrid working’ patterns, ie, 2 days at home and 3 days onsite at the Adams Building.
What you’ll bring
Ideal candidates will get real job satisfaction from supporting disadvantaged people, often people with low levels of English speaking and listening. They will enjoy working under the pressure this sometimes brings and days that ‘fly by’. Nevertheless – they will take time to listen to service users with patience, learn about their common issues and provide solutions to help people progress in their lives – from course bookings to signposting them for advice about childcare, benefits, careers or immigration. Essential skills and experience will therefore include:
· Excellent administration experience and skills and ability to use a wide range of ICT systems
· Excellent listening and verbal communication skills, including the ability to support people with simplified language, empathy, patience and tact and a non-judgemental sensitive approach.
· Ability to write clearly, concisely and record information with accuracy and attention to detail.
· Strong organisational skills, analytical skills and initiative, with the ability to problem-solve, to work independently and as part of a team.
· Ability to adapt work as needed, eg, to meet new funding rules, policy or procedures
Short-listing at application stage and interviews are scored against the essential and desirable criteria listed in the
PERSON SPECIFICATION at the end of the Job Profile.
Please upload a combined document consisting of:
· your CV of no more than 2 pages and
· an Expression of Interest that is based on the PERSON SPECIFICATION CRITERIA of no more than 2 pages.
For further information not covered by the job profile and person specification, please feel free to contact Fiona Vale on 07912 070404, email fiona.vale@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk , and/or visit www.begin.org.uk for more information.
Interviews/assessments are provisionally planned for week beginning Monday 19 October 2026, excluding Thursday 22 October 2026.
Why Join us
- Competitive salary – £26,519 to £27,665 per annum FTE. (This will be pro-rata for term time only or part time posts)
- 35 days Annual Leave + 8 Bank Holidays + Opportunity to purchase up to 5 days annual leave
- Access to Local Government Pension Scheme
- Discounts at various stores and services across the UK via our Vivup App
- Various travel schemes including cycle to work, local transport season tickets and car salary sacrifice scheme
- Opportunities for professional development including 8 dedicated Continued Personal Development (CPD) days and our Request to Invest Programme
A place to belong
At Nottingham College, we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels supported, valued, and understood.
We’re proud to be recognised as a Carer Confident employer, acknowledging the tailored support we offer to staff who balance their roles with caring responsibilities. As part of the Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme, we’re actively tackling the stigma around menstrual health and providing meaningful support to those affected.
Our commitment to wellbeing continues as we work towards becoming a Menopause Friendly accredited employer, ensuring those experiencing menopause and peri-menopause feel heard and supported.
Mental health matters here too — our network of accredited Mental Health First Aiders is always growing, helping to foster a culture of compassion and understanding across the college.
Through our Wellness Cafés – informal gatherings that invite open conversation – colleagues are encouraged to share experiences and support one another. Whether navigating health challenges or balancing work and personal life, wellbeing is prioritised at Nottingham College, allowing you to thrive in your career.
Nottingham College is a place where you can share your ideas, work with people from all kinds of backgrounds and together, make a positive difference. Within our inclusive workplace, everyone is given the opportunity to belong. As part of this we are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that successful candidates may need.
Nottingham College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of our students and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks including employer references, and an enhanced DBS check will be required for this role.
Apply
If you’re ready to be part of something special, the future is here. Visit Nottingham College – Current Vacancies to apply.
We shortlist and interview for our roles throughout the duration of the advert. Therefore, we would encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. We reserve the right to close this advert prior to the stated closing date should we have a high volume of candidates. Please note that interview dates may be subject to change depending on availability
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
