Care Navigator - HMP Millsike

Rethink Mental Illness; Full Sutton; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Rethink Mental Illness is recruiting a Care Navigator to support individuals transitioning from prison to the community at HMP Millsike. The role focuses on reconnecting clients with health services, improving wellbeing, and reducing reoffending through coaching-based interventions.

You will deliver person-centred support, conduct initial assessments, and work with multi-agency partners to ensure safe, well-planned releases, while maintaining professional records in a busy environment.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in Health and Social Care
• Experience supporting vulnerable individuals to set and achieve goals through 1:1 and group interventions
• Working knowledge of mental health, substance misuse, housing, social care, and the criminal justice system
• Experience delivering structured, time-limited support
• Strong assessment skills, including risk management and support planning
• Passionate about supporting individuals leaving the criminal justice system, promoting equality, diversity and inclusion

Responsibilities

• Delivering person-centred support before and after release from prison, ensuring continuity of care and well-planned transitions into the community
• Complete initial screenings, care mapping assessments, and structured release plans using a tailored approach
• Deliver 1:1 and group-based support using a coaching framework to promote independence and wellbeing
• Reconnect individuals with health and community services to reduce inequalities and support recovery
• Coordinate with prison staff, healthcare providers and agencies for safe release planning
• Maintain accurate clinical records and manage a high-volume caseload in a fast-paced environment
• Engage in supervision, reflective practice and ongoing professional development

Skills

Mental health knowledge

Substance misuse knowledge

Housing knowledge

Criminal justice system knowledge

Risk assessment

Communication skills

Time management

IT systems

Coaching/ facilitation

Supervision & reflective practice

Education

NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in Health and Social Care

Job description

Join Our Team as a Care Navigator

Location: HMP Millsike

Working hours:Full-time, 35 hours per week

Rethink Mental Illness work alongside Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) and Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust to deliver an integrated stepped care mental health service within HMP Millsike.

The team compromises a range of highly skilled professionals who work collaboratively to provide the highest quality of care for those with mental health needs within the prison and for Rethink Mental Illness employees, this is carried out between 0800 – 1600 Monday to Friday.

Purpose of the Role

To provide person-centred support for individuals with health vulnerabilities transitioning from prison to the community, ensuring continuity of care and effective release planning. The role focuses on reconnecting individuals with health services, improving wellbeing, reducing health inequalities, and supporting a sustainable reduction in reoffending through coaching-based interventions and collaborative working with partner agencies.

What I will do and achieve:

Delivering Person-Centred Support

• Provide holistic care navigation to individuals before and after release from prison, ensuring continuity of care and effective, well-planned transitions into the community
• Complete initial screenings, care mapping assessments, and structured release plans using a tailored, person-centred approach
• Deliver flexible 1:1 and group-based support using a coaching framework to promote independence, resilience, and long-term wellbeing

Improving Health and Reducing Reoffending

• Reconnect individuals with appropriate health and community services, reducing health inequalities and supporting sustained recovery
• Prevent deterioration in physical and mental health by enabling access to ongoing care and promoting self-management
• Contribute to reducing reoffending by supporting stability, engagement, and positive lifestyle changes

Collaborative and Multi-Agency Working

• Work closely with prison staff, healthcare providers, and statutory and non-statutory agencies to coordinate safe and effective release planning
• Build and maintain strong professional relationships, representing both the service and service users in multi-disciplinary settings
• Support health promotion initiatives and joint working to improve service reach and impact

Quality, Performance and Accountability

• Maintain accurate, timely, and professional clinical records in line with organisational and national requirements
• Manage a high-volume caseload, balancing competing demands while meeting service targets and deadlines
• Work autonomously with strong organisational skills, adapting to a fast-paced and evolving environment

Professional Standards and Development

• Uphold safeguarding, confidentiality, and professional boundaries at all times, modelling a proactive and solution-focused approach
• Engage fully in supervision, reflective practice, and ongoing training to continuously improve service delivery
• Demonstrate commitment, motivation, and resilience in delivering high-quality support within a challenging but rewarding area of work

Essential Skills and Experience:

• NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in a relevant area such as Health and Social Care
• Experience supporting vulnerable individuals to set and achieve goals through 1:1 and group interventions
• Working knowledge of mental health, substance misuse, housing, social care, and the criminal justice system
• Experience delivering structured, time-limited support
• Strong assessment skills, including risk management and support planning
• Passionate about supporting individuals leaving the criminal justice system, promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion
• Calm, patient, and respectful, with the ability to manage challenging situations and maintain professional boundaries
• Confident communicator with strong interpersonal and written skills
• Excellent time management and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise workload and adapt to changing demands
• Competent in IT systems, including Microsoft Office and clinical databases
• Committed to ongoing professional development, reflective practice, and using supervision effectively

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