Supporting People on Probation Practitioner

Forward Trust; Colchester; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

The Forward Trust is a charitable social enterprise delivering support to people facing challenges in the criminal justice system. This Supporting People on Probation Practitioner role is based in Colchester, Essex, and is full-time (35 hours per week) with a salary of £26,000 per year.

You will manage a caseload, provide tailored support, and deliver both individual and group sessions. Collaboration with probation teams and partner agencies is essential to promote positive outcomes and safe

Qualifications

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Person-centered approach for those in the criminal justice system.
• Good organisational skills to manage a caseload and meet deadlines.
• Confidence working with professionals and partner agencies.
• Flexibility to travel to other local projects; occasional evenings or weekends.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload, completing assessments and developing personalised support and care plans.
• Deliver one-to-one interventions and group sessions focused on emotional wellbeing, relationships, lifestyle and social inclusion.
• Support individuals transitioning from prison into the community, working closely with partner agencies to promote continuity of care.
• Monitor progress, record outcomes and maintain accurate case management records.
• Identify and report safeguarding concerns, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of those you support.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and external agencies to achieve positive outcomes.

Skills

Communication skills

Person-centered

Organisational skills

Collaboration

Travel flexibility

Job description

Supporting People on Probation Practitioner

Location: Essex

Salary: £26,000 per annum

About The Role

Are you passionate about helping people make positive changes and build a brighter future?

Join us as a Supporting People on Probation Navigator in Colchester, Essex, working full-time (35 hours per week) to support adult men and young men in the criminal justice system. You’ll help people improve their wellbeing, strengthen relationships and develop the skills they need to move forward. Candidates must be able to travel to Colchester or live within a commutable distance.

Working alongside practitioners, probation teams and partner agencies, you’ll deliver tailored support that addresses individual needs, helping people overcome challenges and make lasting changes in their lives.

What you’ll be doing

• Manage a caseload, completing assessments and developing personalised support and care plans.
• Deliver one-to-one interventions and group sessions focused on emotional wellbeing, relationships, lifestyle and social inclusion.
• Support individuals transitioning from prison into the community, working closely with partner agencies to promote continuity of care.
• Monitor progress, record outcomes and maintain accurate case management records.
• Identify and report safeguarding concerns, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of those you support.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and external agencies to achieve positive outcomes.

What we’re looking for

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage and motivate people.
• A person-centred approach, with an understanding of the challenges faced by people in the criminal justice system.
• Good organisational skills, with the ability to manage a caseload and meet deadlines.
• Confidence working collaboratively with a range of professionals and partner agencies.
• Flexibility to travel to other local projects when required, with occasional evening or weekend work.

If you’re ready to make a meaningful difference and help people build a more positive future, we’d love to hear from you!

All probation-based roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks and HMPPS security vetting. These checks can take up to 6- 16 weeks to complete. Any offer of employment will be conditional upon the successful completion of both checks.

Please note if you have lived overseas within the last 5 years then checks may take longer.

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. If you’d like more information about our family‑friendly benefits, please contact our Recruitment Team at (url removed)
• 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 Blue Light Card
• 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
• Contributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafter
• Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
• Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)

Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Please note that remote roles may require occasional travel for site visits, training and meetings.