RECONNECT Peer Support Worker

The Forward Trust; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization is looking for a RECONNECT Peer Support Worker in Essex to provide guidance to clients post-release from prison. In this role, you will measure and meet client needs, offering holistic support regarding mental health, substance use, and overall well-being. You will conduct assessments and maintain contact with the service users for up to 6 months after their release, ensuring they access necessary supportive interventions. This is a permanent position with a salary of £24,484.

Qualifications

• Experience in working with individuals with substance use or mental health issues.
• Strong assessment and communication skills.
• Ability to develop and implement care plans.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice and guidance to clients across HMP Chelmsford and Essex.
• Conduct in-depth needs assessments for referrals.
• Maintain contact with Service Users for 6 months post-release.

Job description

Overview

Role: RECONNECT Peer Support Worker Essex

Location : Essex

Salary : £24,484

Vacancy Type : Permanent

Closing Date : 2nd January 2026

Responsibilities

Within this role, you will be responsible for providing a comprehensive, inclusive and bespoke RECONNECT service, including advice and guidance to Forward Trust clients across HMP Chelmsford and the wider community in Essex.

RECONNECT enables service users to access and sustain supportive interventions upon release from prison, whether that be substance use needs, physical health or mental health support, in addition to general well-being advice and guidance. The service will offer mentor link in, sign-posting, GP referrals, aftercare support and a connection to the wider Forward community. Following a referral 12-weeks prior to release, the service will identify the service users health needs via a robust assessment with a bespoke care plan then created with the client at the centre.

Some of the Key responsibilities of the role are as follows :

• Process referrals and provide updates to referrer on assessment outcome.
• Conduct in-depth needs assessment for all suitable referrals.

Maintain contact and support to Service Users for up-to 6 months post-release with health and wellbeing needs as identified during assessment.