RECONNECT worker

The Forward Trust; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Training opportunities

Health cashback

Season ticket loan

Cycle to work

Crisis loan

Electric car scheme

Wellbeing days

Job summary

The Forward Trust is seeking a compassionate RECONNECT Practitioner to support people leaving prison and help them access health, wellbeing and recovery services in the community across Hertfordshire.

You will begin work about 12 weeks before release, create personalised care plans, provide up to six months of post-release support, and collaborate with GPs, mental health and substance misuse services to promote lasting positive change.

Qualifications

• Lived experience of the criminal justice system, substance use or health issues is essential.

Responsibilities

• Managing referrals, completing comprehensive needs assessments and providing feedback to referring agencies.
• Developing and implementing personalised care plans and risk assessments in collaboration with service users.
• Managing a varied caseload, providing practical advice, guidance and ongoing support before and after release.
• Supporting individuals to access and engage with local healthcare providers, including GPs, mental health services and substance misuse treatment.
• Delivering structured one-to-one interventions using motivational interviewing and other person-centred approaches.
• Supporting individuals to access aftercare, wellbeing support and wider Forward Trust services.
• Coordinating referrals to the Meet and Greet service and supporting Meet at the Gate arrangements where appropriate.
• Helping individuals establish strong connections with community services and support networks ahead of release.
• Supporting the Team Leader with the recruitment and training of prison peer supporters.
• Developing and maintaining effective relationships with prison staff, healthcare providers, probation services and other external partners.
• Maintaining accurate and timely case records, assessments, care plans and other essential documentation.

Job description

RECONNECT Worker

Location: Hertfordshire

Salary: £26,000 per annum

Are you passionate about helping people rebuild their lives and access the support they need to make a positive transition from prison back into the community?

As a RECONNECT Practitioner at The Forward Trust, you will play a vital role in supporting people leaving prison to access and maintain engagement with health, wellbeing and recovery services in the community.

Working across HMP The Mount and the wider Hertfordshire area, you will deliver a comprehensive, inclusive and person-centred service, ensuring individuals receive the right support at the right time. This may include support with substance use, physical health, mental health, emotional wellbeing and wider social needs.

You will begin working with individuals approximately 12 weeks before their release, completing comprehensive assessments and developing personalised care plans that reflect their individual needs and goals. You will then provide ongoing support for up to six months following release, helping individuals navigate services, overcome barriers and establish positive connections within their local community.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing referrals, completing comprehensive needs assessments and providing feedback to referring agencies.
• Developing and implementing personalised care plans and risk assessments in collaboration with service users.
• Managing a varied caseload, providing practical advice, guidance and ongoing support before and after release.
• Supporting individuals to access and engage with local healthcare providers, including GPs, mental health services and substance misuse treatment.
• Delivering structured one-to-one interventions using motivational interviewing and other person-centred approaches.
• Supporting individuals to access aftercare, wellbeing support and wider Forward Trust services.
• Coordinating referrals to the Meet and Greet service and supporting Meet at the Gate arrangements where appropriate.
• Helping individuals establish strong connections with community services and support networks ahead of release.
• Supporting the Team Leader with the recruitment and training of prison peer supporters.
• Developing and maintaining effective relationships with prison staff, healthcare providers, probation services and other external partners.
• Maintaining accurate and timely case records, assessments, care plans and other essential documentation.

About you

We are looking for a compassionate, proactive and motivated individual who believes in people's ability to change and understands the importance of providing support without judgement.

You will be confident building trusting relationships with people who may have experienced significant challenges, including substance use, mental ill health, physical health difficulties and involvement with the criminal justice system.

Lived experience of the criminal justice system, substance use and/or physical or mental ill health is essential for this role. We value the insight, understanding and empathy that lived experience can bring when supporting others through their own journeys.

You will also bring

• Experience of completing comprehensive assessments and developing and implementing SMART care plans.
• Experience delivering structured interventions and supporting individuals to achieve positive outcomes.
• Confidence using motivational interviewing techniques in both one-to-one and group settings.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience working within mental health, emotional wellbeing or substance misuse services would be desirable, as would experience facilitating groups.

About Us

We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.

We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us an employee, we will offer you the following benefits -

• Flexible working
• Support for Families - We support our employees through every stage of family life by offering enhanced maternity and paternity pay for eligible employees who have completed 26 weeks' continuous service, alongside family-friendly policies and a supportive, inclusive workplace.
• Training and development opportunities
• Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Crisis Loan Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
• Access to