GM RECONNECT Prison Link Worker

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust; Bickershaw; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a post holder to support individuals leaving prison, helping them access health services, voluntary sector services, and community activities. Referrals come from Criminal Justice Agencies, focusing on early identification of needs for those at risk of disengaging from services.

The role involves coordination with health and community providers, monitoring outcomes, and contributing to service development.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or demonstrable comparable experience.
• Experience with the criminal justice system and community groups.
• Knowledge of IT systems used within Primary/Secondary Care such as PARIS.

Responsibilities

• Pay Enhancements 30% for Evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays; 60% for Sundays and Bank holidays.
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 after 10 years.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme.
• Blue Light Card Discounts.

Skills

Coaching approaches

Motivational interviewing

Relationship building

Effective communication

Written reports

Confidentiality

Teamwork

Independent working

Personal development

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care

Tools

PARIS

Job description

The post holder will support individuals leaving prison setting to enhance their health, wellbeing and quality of life, assisting them to connect with and access health services, voluntary sector services and community-based activities and support.

Referrals will be received from Criminal Justice Agencies, people and families. The focus of the role will be on early identification of need of people who are vulnerable and will struggle to engage with community-based health services, due to comorbid health problems or any single significant health or social care need, that are being released from prison custody. Interconnection with health and community service providers will be a fundamental part of the role along with monitoring and recording service activity and outcomes for individuals and families.

Main duties of the job

Please see job description for details of clinical, general, education and development, research and audit, standard requirements and trust mandatory and ongoing requirements

Please see person specification for details of all essential and desirable criteria for post

About us

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.

We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford,Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.

Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.

Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.

Job responsibilities

See attached detailed job description and person specification:

• Pay Enhancements 30% additional for Evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays and 60% additional for Sundays and Bank holidays.
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Blue Light Card Discounts

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or demonstrable comparable experience

Experience

• Significant experience of working with the criminal justice system, community groups, voluntary organisations in some capacity. Experience of working with individuals on a one-to-one basis Experience of building relationships and partnerships Experience of working collaboratively with other health care and non-health care professionals to meet patient needs. Experience of peer support and/or mentoring others.
• Experience of delivering presentations. Experience of collating and presenting information. Experience of involvement in service monitoring and evaluation.

Knowledge

• Evidence of CPD An understanding of the needs and challenges faced by those in contact with the criminal justice system, particularly prisons. An understanding of the role of voluntary and community sector organisations and the contributions they make to the health and wellbeing of individuals. Knowledge of local communities including resources and assets Knowledge of factors influencing behaviour and behaviour change approaches. An understanding of health and/ or social care infrastructure and how services are provided to the local population. An understanding of the factors that can impact on an individual's health and wellbeing. An understanding of community development and asset-based approaches. An understanding of the barriers and challenges that people may face in connecting to and accessing local activities and support. An understanding of the importance of accurate record keeping and knowledge of information governance requirements. Knowledge of Microsoft office such as Outlook, Excel, Word and Power Point Knowledge of health and safety requirements in relation to processes for risk assessment in relation to venues and home visits.
• Knowledge of IT systems used within Primary/ Secondary Care such as PARIS

Skills and abilities

• Skilled in using coaching approaches and motivational interviewing techniques to support individuals to identify opportunities and challenge unhelpful thinking. Ability to prioritise workload. Ability to set up, plan and coordinate initiatives and projects. Excellent communication skills including the ability to build effective relationships and productive working relationships at all levels. Good written skills including the ability to write reports. Ability to influence, inspire and encourage new approaches to service delivery. Ability to respect confidentiality of patients. Ability to support and empower patients in difficult situations. Skilled in using coaching approaches and motivational interviewing techniques to support individuals to identify opportunities and challenge unhelpful thinking. Respectful of patient's circumstances, background, beliefs, values, opinions Ability to seek relevant information to support patients. Ability to both work as part of a team and independently using own initiative. Aptitude and willingness for personal development in relation to role

Other

• Demonstrate a commitment to always respecting and displaying the Trust Values. The post holder base will be at HMP Manchester however there will be a requirement to travel mainly within the Greater Manchester area in order to support service users.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Address

HM Prison Services Greater Manchester Locations (base HMP Hindley)

£28,392 to £31,157 a yearper annum/ pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

437-8388712

Job locations

HM Prison Services Greater Manchester Locations (base HMP Hindley)