Band 3 Recovery Support Worker - HMP Eastwood Park - Reconnect

Avon And Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Nhs Trust; Dover; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A mental health service provider in Dover is looking for a Band 3 Support Worker to assist vulnerable women in planning for release from prison. This entry-level role involves supporting access to healthcare services, reinstating benefits, and identifying employment opportunities. The position offers substantial training and integration with various support agencies to enhance service delivery.

Qualifications

• Experience with difficult-to-reach groups is advantageous.
• Entry level role with substantial training provided.
• Must obtain prison security clearance and DBS check.

Responsibilities

• Meet with vulnerable women to support planning for release.
• Assist with accessing healthcare services promptly.
• Support reinstatement of benefit claims and identify opportunities.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Empathy

Resilience

Flexibility

Job description

Overview

The Reconnect Service at HMP Eastwood Park seeks to employ a Band 3 Support Worker based within the prison to participate in meetings with vulnerable women accommodated by the prison. The role supports planning for release, with the aim of giving the woman the best possible chance of a seamless transition on release.

The post holder will have a passion for working with people from diverse, chaotic and disenfranchised backgrounds, supporting offenders with healthcare vulnerabilities to help them access relevant services promptly on release. Examples include GP registration, attendance at probation appointments where indicated, support to reinstate benefit claims, and help to identify community employment or training opportunities. The role is part of an integrated team at Eastwood Park Prison, with the consortium comprising AWP, PPG, Nelson's Trust and other external providers.

This is a great role for entry level to working in the prison environment, with substantial training and support provided both internally and externally. The successful applicant will work with colleagues from Nelson's Trust to deliver the Reconnect Service.

Responsibilities

• Meet with vulnerable women accommodated by Eastwood Park Prison and support them in planning for release.
• Assist with identifying and accessing healthcare and other services promptly on release (e.g., GP registration, probation appointments).
• Support reinstatement of benefit claims and identification of community employment or training opportunities.
• Liaise with internal and external agencies as part of an integrated service delivery.
• Work as part of a team with Nelson's Trust to provide the Reconnect Service.

Environment

The prison houses up to 442 women and offers a Drug Recovery Community, mother and baby unit, mental health service, health care clinic and specialist therapies unit. The post holder will have the opportunity to learn about a range of statutory and voluntary sector services through liaising with various external and internal agencies and colleagues.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Excellent communication skills and a commitment to a recovery-focused model of care.
• Resilience, empathy and flexibility to work in a challenging environment.
• Previous knowledge, skill or experience of working with difficult-to-reach groups is advantageous.
• Successful candidate will be required to obtain prison security clearance in addition to DBS and reference checks.
• Entry level role with substantial training and support provided.

About AWP

We are Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP), a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care. We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people across Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, Wiltshire and parts of Dorset. We value diverse backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for applicants from all backgrounds, including Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, those with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. We welcome applicants with lived experience and encourage people to bring their unique perspectives to AWP.