Reconnect Practitioner

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust; Whittingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Reconnect Practitioner to support individuals leaving prison, coordinating triage, assessment and referrals. The role involves linking prison patients with community healthcare and social services, with emphasis on smooth transitions and continued engagement.

The post requires a degree in a relevant field or demonstrable equivalent experience; additional qualifications such as RMN, psychology, CBT or substance misuse may be

Qualifications

• Degree qualification in relevant subject or demonstrable evidence or equivalent experience relevant to field of practice.
• Desirable: Professional recognised qualification such as RMN, Learning Disability Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist.

Responsibilities

• Work within the ReConnect Care after Custody for Lancashire & Cumbria, covering 6 prisons & the wider community.
• Provide triage, assessment, referral and support services and assist with transition to community-based services.
• Identify, screen and assess people approaching release from prison and provide community-based support after release.
• Ensure appropriate follow-up to maintain engagement and monitor emotional wellbeing and social needs.
• Co-ordinate with prison, probation and healthcare services to reduce health inequalities for prison leavers.

Skills

Communication skills

Vetting compliance

Education

Degree qualification in relevant subject

Psychology Degree

CBT Diploma

Substance Misuse Diploma

Tools

Enhanced DBS

Job description

Reconnect Practitioner

1 post to be based in South Cumbria

Please note - this role does not offer sponsorship.

Essential:

Degree qualification in relevant subject or demonstrable evidence or equivalent experience relevant to field of practice

Desirable:

Professional recognised qualification such as RMN, Learning Disability Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist.

• Psychology Degree
• CBT Diploma
• Substance Misuse Diploma

The post holder will work within the ReConnect Care after Custody for Lancashire & Cumbria, covering 6 prisons & also the wider community of Lancashire & Cumbria. Reconnect is a triage, assessment, referral & support service and starts working with people before they leave prison, where they will have access to Reconnect practitioners, engagement practitioners & Peer Support Workers, helping them to make the transition to community-based services. It is offered to people in prison up to 12 weeks prior to release, & up to 6 months support post release.

Vetting And Clearances

• LSCFT staff entering the prison or probation estate will be subject to HMPPS security vetting carried out by National Offender Management Service and will be required to undergo Enhanced Level 1 vetting.
• The post holder is also expected to have Enhanced DBS status.
• The post holder should have lived in the UK for at least 3 years.

Reconnect will create an effective link between prison & community in order to:

• increase access & uptake up of healthcare or relevant support services for vulnerable individuals who would otherwise struggle to engage
• reduce health inequalities for prison leavers
• ensure the health needs of individuals who are leaving prison are met
• ensure a safe transition from prison to community-based healthcare & support services & to provide follow-up to ensure engagement is maintained

The Reconnect Practitioner role will identify and respond to requests to screen and assess people with vulnerabilities for persons who are approaching release from Her Majesty's Prisons and subsequently provide support within the community upon their release from prison. Referrals will be identified and received where there have been concerns that an individual has mental health issues, learning disability, substance misuse, social care, safeguarding or other vulnerabilities.

Assessment will consider the emotional wellbeing, cultural and gender needs, age and development related needs, including transition to adulthood and older person needs, social circumstances (including, relationships, leisure requirements, daily living, educational and occupational needs, employment/vocational needs, housing, finance) of those referred to ReConnect.

LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. If you'd like to discuss your application, please ask.

We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

LSCFT support flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as term time, part time, compressed hours and flexi-time.

The wellbeing of our people is at the heart of everything we do. We offer a wide range of resources, tools and support to help you thrive both in and out of work.

Explore our full wellbeing offer here: Keeping our workforce well

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Alison Foreman Job title: Clinical Lead Email address: [e-mail] Telephone number: 07507846008