Prison Link Worker

Phoenix Futures; Coatbridge; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Real Living Wage

Season ticket loan

Pension scheme

Life assurance

25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays

Wellbeing talks

Job summary

Phoenix Futures in North Lanarkshire is seeking a Prison Link Worker to support prisoners transitioning into the local community. The role is full time (37.5 hours) and involves coordinating interventions, signposting to services, and directing casework to help clients reach their recovery goals.

Applicants should have relevant health and social care experience, strong organisational skills, and a compassionate, learning mindset.

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in health and social care, ideally in substance use, mental health or similar.
• Evidence of effective partnership working and networking for client benefit.
• Experience managing a busy caseload or tasks; strong organisational skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook and Word; familiarity with database management systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support people leaving prison and reintegrating into the North Lanarkshire community to achieve their goals.
• Contribute to tailored interventions and recovery approaches within a skilled team.
• Build relationships with SPS establishments to ensure clear referral routes to community services.
• Arrange and signpost access to housing, benefits and advocacy services on release.
• Facilitate weekly Recovery Café and group work across prison establishments.

Skills

Health and social care

Partnership working

Caseload management

Outlook & Word

Communication skills

Understanding of post-release needs

Willingness to learn

Compassionate approach

Tools

Database management

Job description

Phoenix Futures at Building Futures North Lanarkshire have an exciting opportunity for someone looking to gain experience working in psychosocial treatment for substance use.

Previous experience is desirable, however not essential. Support Workers come from many different backgrounds and experiences, and you may have the skills required. We are seeking dedicated individuals, based on your values, willingness to learn new skills and the compassion to deliver the best service possible to the people that use our services.

The Role

As a Prison Link Worker, you will support people being liberated from Prison establishments into the North Lanarkshire community, to reach their goals and change their lives for the better. The role is full time 37.5 hours per week. You will be part of a passionate and skilled team, contributing to the provision of tailored interventions and recovery approaches.

About You

To join us as a Prison Link Worker at Building Futures North Lanarkshire you will need:

• Relevant experience of workingin health and social care, ideally within the field of problematic substance use, mental health oranother comparable field
• Evidence of effective partnership working and the ability to network for the benefit of theclient and service
• Evidence of managing a busy caseload or tasks and excellent organisational skills
• To be proficient in the use of Microsoft Outlook and Wordand befamiliar withdatabase management systems
• Excellent communication skills, both written andverbal
• Understand complex issues presented by people leaving prison and returning to the community
• Determined, with a drive to succeed and a willingness to learn
• Passionate and enthusiastic about making a real difference to the lives of people we support

Your Rewards

• Starting salary of £27,000 with the opportunity to access potential yearly salary increments subject to appraisal.
• Committed to providing a Real Living Wage for you, through accreditation with the Living Wage Foundation
• 25 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing each year to a maximum of 30 days)
• Benefits including season ticket loan, pension scheme and life assurance
• Support through occupational sick pay, eye-care vouchers and regular wellbeing talks and activities
• Continuous training and career development via PXL our dedicated learning management system
• Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance programme including telephone and online access
• A rewarding role with the opportunity tohelp us support people ontheir journey to recoveryand change their lives for the better.
• We’ll ensure you get all the support you need to thrive and succeed in your role and findyour place amongst our incredible and collaborative team.

The Service

To provide a service which links prisoners from a range of different prison establishments into services in the North Lanarkshire Community pre and post liberation.

To build excellent relationships with SPS establishments in order to ensure there are clear and robust referral routes to services in the community, including emergency release scheme support.

Set up, in conjunction with other agencies, support and access to relevant services for those returning to the community on release. Support prisoner to access interventions, help with accommodation needs, support with benefits and general advocacy and signposting.

On liberation, support individuals to link in with through care support linking in Criminal Justice Social Work, Urgent response team and wider recovery partnership.

Facilitate weekly Recovery Café and group work across prison establishments.

About Phoenix Futures

Phoenix Futures Group is a charity with over 50 years’ experience and a leading provider of drug and alcohol treatment. We use our expertise to support people in their personal recovery and to improve their lives. We are dedicated to advocating for people who are often overlooked and stigmatised, to ensure they have a fair chance to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Our aim is for everyone to be able to achieve their potential for themselves, their families and communities.

We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and believe it is important toincludepeople with lived experienceto ensurethe needs of the people we support are represented. We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where everyone isfree to be themselves and we ensure equity of opportunity.

Our managers and leaders are guided by a shared set of qualities that shape how we work with colleagues, partners and the people we support. These are: BRAVE, HONEST, VISIBLE, VISIONARY, NURTURING and COLLABORATIVE. These qualities underpin our approach to inclusive leadership, accountability and compassionate practice across Phoenix Futures and support the development of a value aligned culture.

Interview Process

We want you to feel comfortable to be your best during the interview process, so that you can get to know Phoenix and we can get to know you. If shortlisted, you will be contacted for a short face to face / digital interview via Microsoft Teams for approximately week commencing 12/10/26 and be provided all details about the assessment process. All details will be provided in advance so that you can feel adequately prepared and we can support you with reasonable adjustments as required.

Please note, we will be assessing applications as they are submitted and may close this role should we find sufficient applicants with which to make our shortlist. As such, we would advise applying as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.