Family Support Worker

Serco Group Plc; Marchington; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A public service organization in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced Support Worker for HMP Dovegate. The role involves supporting families of offenders, reducing re-offending, and helping to build healthy relationships. Candidates should have knowledge of relevant legislation, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to work independently. This position offers a contributory pension scheme and a positive working environment focused on diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

Safe and supportive culture

Diverse working environment

Serco Benefits package

Qualifications

• Knowledge of legislation affecting Adults & Young Offenders.
• Understanding of risk escalation and safeguarding.
• Experience working within a custodial environment.

Responsibilities

• Support families of offenders and reduce re-offending.
• Manage Through the Gate (TTG) services for residents.
• Deliver group interventions for families.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Empathic awareness

Education

Good standard of education including English & Maths

Job description

Here at Serco, we are looking for an experienced Support Worker to join us at HMP Dovegate. Reporting into the Rehabilitative Services Manager, your responsibilities will include supporting, strengthening and maintaining links between offenders and their families.

As Family Support Worker, your role will include helping to reduce re‑offending, building & enhancing positive healthy relationships and reducing intergenerational crime by providing support, advice, guidance and learning opportunities, to families & children that may have become hidden victims when a relative is imprisoned. You will do this by working in partnership with Prison Officers, Security, Probation, Public Protection Services, Resettlement staff and Social Services.

Key Duties

• Delivering group interventions including Toddler Days and all‑day Family Days.
• Supporting individuals with multi & complex needs to overcome barriers.
• Understanding and having an empathic awareness of the needs of children and families of residents.
• Managing and developing Through the Gate (TTG) services to support residents and their families on release.

Due to the nature of the role, it is important that you are able to plan and organise your workload proactively in a busy environment, display a common‑sense approach to your workload and the capacity to make reasonable decisions as required.

In order to carry out this role successfully, you must have knowledge of legislation affecting Adults & Young Offenders, Children's Act & Community Care legislation, Health & Safety and working practices, and the implications within the working environment. An understanding of risk escalation and safeguarding is essential as well as an understanding of Resettlement/outreach knowledge, to support vulnerable residents and families. Ideally you will have experience working within a custodial environment, with strong interpersonal and communication skills and an ability to liaise and negotiate at all levels.

We are looking for someone with a good standard of education including English & Maths. This is also a great role for someone who is confident in their ability to work alone using their own initiative, as well as maintaining good working relationships with colleagues within their team. If you enjoy engaging with people and have strong interpersonal skills, this is a fantastic opportunity to work with offenders & families to ensure a positive experience as part of their rehabilitation.

Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high‑volume, seasonal and high‑peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non‑disabled people.

Why Serco

• A place you can make an impact – With approximately 20,000 asylum seekers and more than 5,000 properties you’ll be delivering an essential service that touches people’s lives.
• A place you can count on – Our diverse UK‑wide operations offer unrivalled opportunities to learn and develop. You’ll be able to broaden your experience and apply your skills in new ways.
• A place for you – We are a motivated team who will encourage you and help you to succeed. You’ll have the resources you need to do your job in a diverse and supportive environment.

What we offer

• Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• A safe and supportive culture
• The chance to make a positive difference to the prison and court systems
• A company passionate about diversity and inclusion
• Serco Benefits package

About Serco

At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.