Essex RECONNECT Peer Support Worker

Forward Trust; Chelmsford; Remote; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and development opportunities

Season ticket loan

Cycle to work scheme

Wellbeing days

Pension scheme

Job summary

The Forward Trust is seeking a RECONNECT Practitioner to support people leaving prison, before release and for up to six months after, helping them access health, wellbeing and community services. Based at HMP Chelmsford and across Essex, you will manage a busy caseload, complete health assessments, develop person-centred care plans and signpost to GP and mental health services.

We value lived experience and offer training and a supportive, inclusive workplace with enhanced DBS checks where

Qualifications

• Demonstrated lived experience relevant to health, wellbeing or criminal justice contexts.
• Ability to manage a busy caseload and prioritise tasks.
• Experience in completing assessments and developing person-centred care plans.
• Strong communication skills and ability to build professional relationships.

Responsibilities

• Manage a busy caseload of individuals preparing for release from prison.
• Complete health and wellbeing assessments and signpost to services.
• Develop and monitor individualised care and support plans.
• Identify health and social needs and coordinate with GP, mental health and other services.
• Provide up to six months post-release support and help reintegrate into the community.

Skills

Lived experience relevance

Caseload management

Assessment & care planning

Communication & relationships

Safeguarding & risk assessment

Job description

The Forward Trust’s NHS-commissioned RECONNECT service supports people leaving prison to access and sustain the health, wellbeing and community services they need following release.

In line with our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion framework, we actively value lived experience and are particularly keen to hear from people with relevant lived experience of physical or mental ill health, substance misuse and/or the criminal justice system.

As a RECONNECT Practitioner, you will provide a comprehensive, inclusive and personalised service to people at HMP Chelmsford and across the wider Essex community. You will work with individuals before release and for up to six months afterwards, helping them establish connections with appropriate health, wellbeing and community services.

What you’ll be doing

• Managing a busy and varied caseload of people preparing for release from prison.
• Processing referrals and providing feedback to referrers following assessments.
• Completing comprehensive, person-centred health and wellbeing assessments.
• Working collaboratively with service users to develop individualised care and support plans.
• Identifying health, wellbeing and social needs and helping individuals access appropriate support.
• Providing ongoing support for up to six months post-release.
• Supporting people to successfully reintegrate into the community following release.
• Helping service users access and engage with GPs, mental health services, substance misuse services and other community healthcare providers.
• Making appropriate referrals and providing effective signposting to relevant services.
• Supporting individuals to connect with the wider Forward Trust community.
• Making referrals to the Forward Trust Meet and Greet service and supporting Meet at the Gate releases where appropriate.
• Ensuring service users are fully connected with local services before and following their release.
• Supporting the development and maintenance of effective referral pathways with internal and external services.
• Working closely with Offender Management in Custody, prison healthcare, families, self-referrals and external agencies.
• Building and maintaining positive relationships with partner organisations and key stakeholders.
• Maintaining accurate, clear and concise case records, assessments, care plans and risk assessments.
• Identifying and managing risk appropriately, following safeguarding and organisational procedures.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues to share good practice and ensure a safe, high-quality service.
• Supporting the Team Leader and Peer Coordinator with the recruitment and training of prison peer supporters.
• Supporting the delivery of workshops and group programmes for Prison Peer Workers.
• Contributing to a holistic, inclusive and person-centred service that meets the needs of each individual.

What we’re looking for

We are looking for someone who:

• Has relevant lived experience of physical or mental ill health, substance misuse and/or the criminal justice system, or has significant experience supporting people with these needs.
• Is passionate about helping people make positive changes and successfully transition from prison into the community.
• Can build trusting, respectful and professional relationships with people who may have complex or multiple needs.
• Has experience of completing assessments, identifying support needs and developing person-centred plans.
• Is confident managing a busy and diverse caseload.
• Has good knowledge of, or experience working with, health, wellbeing and community services.
• Understands the importance of safeguarding, risk assessment and safe working practices.
• Can communicate effectively with service users, colleagues and external professionals.
• Is confident working collaboratively with multiple agencies and stakeholders.
• Has strong organisational and administrative skills.
• Can maintain accurate and detailed case notes and other relevant documentation.
• Is able to work independently while also contributing positively to a wider team.
• Is compassionate, non-judgemental and committed to treating every service user with dignity and respect.
• Understands and promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of their work.
• Is flexible and able to respond to the changing needs of a busy service.
• Is committed to continuous learning, reflective practice and sharing good practice with colleagues.
• Is willing to support the development of prison peer workers through recruitment, training, workshops and group activities.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference to people at a crucial point in their lives. By supporting individuals before and after release, you will help them access healthcare, build stability and establish connections within their local community.

Your experience matters. Your voice matters. Your support can help someone take their next step towards a healthier and more positive future.

All prison-based roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks and HMPPS security vetting. These checks can take up to 5 months to complete. Any offer of employment will be conditional upon the successful completion of both checks.

Please note if you have lived overseas within the last 5 years then checks may take longer.

About Us

We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.
We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us an employee, we will offer you the following benefits -

• Support for Families – We support our employees through every stage of family life by offering enhanced maternity and paternity pay for eligible employees who have completed 26 weeks' continuous service, alongside family-friendly policies and a supportive, inclusive workplace. If you'd like more information about our family-friendly benefits, please contact our Recruitment Team at [e-mail]
• Training and development opportunities
• Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
  
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Crisis Loan Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
• Access to Blue Light Card
• 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
• Contributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafter
• Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
• Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)

Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Please note that remote roles may require occasional travel for site visits, training and meetings.

Diversity at Forward Trust

The Forward Trust commits to providing opportunities to everyone. We want to ensure we have a diverse team with a range of lived and professional experiences. This includes those with ‘Lived Experience’ of addiction, offending, or homelessness. Some of our roles may require a minimum period of sustained recovery (normally around years). This is assessed on a case‑by‑case basis, and exceptions may be considered depending on the role and individual circumstances.
When we recruit, we welcome applications from everyone. This is inclusive of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and/or belief, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity and socio-economic background. Where operationally possible, we will consider flexible working requests and make reasonable adjustments for all roles.
To find out more about Forward’s commitment to being an inclusive employer and our current EDI strategy click here .

We want our recruitment process to be accessible to everyone. If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know.

Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work Dependent on role you may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check, details of which will be shared with you at interview.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. Forward Trust follow safer recruitment practices and support a culture of openness and accountability.