Criminal Justice Recovery Coordinator - Prison Link

Change Grow Live; Reading; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Change Grow Live is seeking a dedicated Prison Link Worker in Reading to support individuals in overcoming substance misuse challenges. The role involves working closely with the criminal justice system, providing tailored interventions, and ensuring clients are engaged with necessary services post-release. This position offers a supportive team environment and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

25 days holiday (+ bank holidays)

Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week

Contributory pension scheme

Training, career development & progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Excellent understanding of drug and alcohol issues.
• Experience of supporting participants with complex barriers.
• Knowledge of the Criminal Justice system.

Responsibilities

• Support people to address substance misuse post-release.
• Act as a link between prisons and Change Grow Live.
• Carry out assessments and develop individual care plans.

Skills

Understanding of drug and alcohol issues

Experience in criminal justice

Ability to maintain personal boundaries

Job description

Overview

Believe in People?

At Change Grow Live, we believe in the power of compassion, respect, and tailored support to help individuals make positive changes in their lives. We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where people feel empowered to grow, recover, and thrive.

Our team is guided by three core values: Be Open, Be Compassionate, Be Bold. These principles shape everything we do, ensuring that we provide high-quality care while fostering a culture of respect, integrity, and collaboration.

Join Us as a Criminal Justice Recovery Coordinator - Prison Link

We are looking for a dedicated Prison Link Worker to join our Reading team! Your focus will be to deliver interventions to service users identified through the criminal justice system to reduce substance misuse related harm to each service user and the wider community and to reduce re-offending.

Please note: It is a Genuine Occupational Requirement under the Equality Act 2010 for the successful applicant to be male.

As this role involves travel to prison sites, a full, valid driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential requirements.

Full Time Hours:37.5 per week

Full Time Salary Range: £27,861.26 - £32,002.35 dependant on experience (pro rata for part time)

* please note: Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours.

Responsibilities

About the role:

• To support people to address their substance misuse by enabling them to gain access and remain engaged with Change Grow Live following release from prison.
• To act as a link between prisons and Change Grow Live.
• Complete full prison vetting.
• To work within local prisons on a weekly or monthly basis to support clients and prison teams.
• To carry out full assessments and explore risk prior to release.
• Help to identify an individual care plan.
• Work in partnership with partner agencies such as probation and probation court teams and other community services.
• To participate in staff meetings , supervision and multiagency forums.
• Support clients to register with GP’s upon release.

About you:

• Excellent understanding of drug and alcohol issues and experience of working within criminal justice or related field
• Experience of supporting and advising participants with complex and/or multiple barriers to success
• Knowledge of the Criminal Justice system
• Experience of carrying out DRR assessments (desired but not essential)
• Ability to work flexibly within the prison regime (e.g. Start at 08.15 to fall in line with other prison departments and staff.)
• Be able to maintain personal boundaries.

What we will give to you:

• 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays) increasing annually for the first five years
• Reimursment on travel
• Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week along with a ‘Wellness’ hub and Employee Assist Programme
• Contributory pension scheme
• A great selection of benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc.
• A friendly and supportive team
• Training, career development & progression opportunities

The successful candidate will need to complete an enhanced DBS check and obtain HMPPS security clearance.

Please ensure that when completing your application form and supporting statement, you reflect on the details outlined in the job description. This will help us understand how your skills and experiences align with the requirements of the role.

If this sounds like you and you’d like to begin your journey withChange Grow Live,then we’d love to talk to you.

If you require sponsorship, please note that this role is not eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa. You may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route but must meet the minimum salary requirements for the role. You can find out more here Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Salary Range (pro rata if part time)

CGL points 23 to 28 (£27,861.26 - £32,002.35)

ILW / OLW /Fringe

N/A - Outside London Weighting Area

Interview Date

23/6/2025

Closing Date

15/6/2025

If you have any questions on this opportunity that you would like to talk through please contact us using the below details:

Jennifer Watkins | [e-mail] post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.