Reconnect Practitioner: Flexible Prison-to-Community Support

The Methodist Church in Britain; Burnley; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Reconnect Practitioner to support vulnerable individuals approaching release from six prisons and into the community for up to six months. The role focuses on screening, risk assessment, and coordinated support drawing on mental health and social care expertise.

You will work primarily across East Lancashire with potential broader Lancashire coverage, coordinating care and ensuring safe transitions to community services.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience in the field.
• 2+ years working with people with complex needs.
• Experience assessing risk to self and others.
• Accurate documentation on electronic records; lone working.

Responsibilities

• Screen and assess people with vulnerabilities approaching release from prison.
• Respond to referrals where concerns about mental health, learning disability, substance misuse, safeguarding or other vulnerabilities exist.
• Provide community support after release for up to six months.
• Assess emotional wellbeing, cultural and gender needs, and age and development needs.
• Assess social circumstances including relationships, leisure, daily living, education, employment, housing and finance.
• Work across six prisons and the wider community of Lancashire and Cumbria.
• Cover other areas of Lancashire as service needs require, mainly East Lancashire.
• Link prison and community services to increase uptake of healthcare and support for those who would otherwise struggle to engage.
• Ensure health needs of prison leavers are met and the move to community services is safe.
• Provide follow-up to keep people engaged with services.

Skills

Mental health knowledge

Criminal justice knowledge

Risk assessment

Documentation

Lone working

Communication skills

Health screening tools

Motivating others

Education

Degree in a relevant subject

Job description

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Reconnect Practitioner to support vulnerable individuals approaching release from six prisons and into the community for up to six months. The role focuses on screening, risk assessment, and coordinated support drawing on mental health and social care expertise.

You will work primarily across East Lancashire with potential broader Lancashire coverage, coordinating care and ensuring safe transitions to community services.