Senior Prison Link Worker

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT; Manchester; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A mental health service provider in Manchester is seeking a Senior Prison Link Worker to support adults reintegrating into the community post-prison. The role requires excellent communication skills, teamwork, and a commitment to vulnerable populations. Competitive salary with an emphasis on professional development and support.

Qualifications

• Experience working with service users in a criminal justice setting.
• Demonstrable experience in supporting vulnerable individuals.
• Willingness to undertake further specialist training.

Responsibilities

• Support the provision of engagement opportunities for adults leaving prison.
• Represent the prison link worker workforce in meetings.
• Oversee and coordinate delivery of quality services.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Ability to handle challenging situations

IT skills (Microsoft Word, Internet, emails)

Motivated to create a safe environment

Education

Diploma/NVQ 4 level or equivalent experience

Job description

The post holder will provide a key role within the Greater Manchester Reconnect Service.

As a Senior Prison Link Worker (SPLW) the post holder will support the provision of excellent engagement opportunities for adults leaving prison environments or recently released and reintegrating to community services.

The SPLW role will represent the prison link worker workforce at various meetings to influence service development and delivery. Working closely with the Clinical Lead, Senior Practitioners and Team Manager, the post holder will support the day to day oversight, coordination and delivery of a quality service offer, and ensure this is provided to service users in a safe and timely manner, in accordance with the service specification.

The post holder will embody the trust values and show commitment to the ever growing inclusive workforce, including the support and development of lived experience opportunities for people who have used the service.

The post holder will demonstrate excellent communication skills and will support the development of the prison link workers in the team through sharing knowledge and role modelling.

Main duties of the job

Please see job description for details of clinical, general, education and development, research and audit, standard requirements and trust mandatory and ongoing requirements

Please see person specification for details of all essential and desirable criteria for post

About us

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.

We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford,Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.

Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.

Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.

Job responsibilities

Please see job description for details of clinical, general, education and development, research and audit, standard requirements and trust mandatory and ongoing requirements

Please see person specification for details of all essential and desirable criteria for post

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• Educated to diploma/NVQ 4 level (or equivalent demonstrable experience in a health or social care setting) and willingness to undertake further specialist training once in post

Experience

• Demonstrable experience of working with service users to access health or social care in a criminal justice setting
• Experience of supporting service user engagement in challenging environments and ensuring their voice are heard.
• Experience of providing support to vulnerable/social excluded individuals/groups
• Experience of working as part of a team to achieve a shared vision/goal
• Experience of maintaining quality standards in one's work
• Experience of providing support to vulnerable/social excluded individuals/groups
• Experience of working as part of a team to achieve a shared vision/goal
• Experience of delivering information in a team setting
• Demonstrable experience of leadership and support of others

Knowledge

• Knowledge of particular challenges experienced by those with vulnerabilities in the criminal justice system
• Understanding of current national policy and initiatives in relation to health and justice practices
• Knowledge of equal opportunities legislation
• An awareness of legislative frameworks, policies & procedures in relation to confidentiality, information sharing, and safeguarding
• Evidence of a commitment to further learning and development of knowledge and skills

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to handle challenging situations and behave in a professional manner
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of people including service users, carers, members of the public and other professionals
• To have a positive regard for children and adults in contact with the criminal justice system and to understand the importance of working in partnership with them and other services to encourage better outcomes
• The ability to articulate and provide information in a variety of settings
• Ability to use initiative but to consult with others when necessary
• Motivated to work towards creating a safe, open & trusting Environment.
• Commitment to one's own professional development
• Effective and coherent oral and written communication skills
• IT skills and ability to use Microsoft Word, Internet and emails
• Experience of navigating challenging conversations with colleagues and external groups to achieve best outcomes

Other Requirements

• Prepared to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service
• Prepared to travel across the Greater Manchester service footprint, to work at different bases and attend meetings and events related to the role

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£31,049 to £37,796 a yearper annum/ pro rata