RECONNECT is a flagship NHS programme designed to address health inequalities faced by people leaving prison. It provides a bridge between prison and community healthcare, ensuring individuals can access the health and care support they need both before and after release. This service represents the largest investment in Health & Justice services in the past six years and plays a vital role in improving rehabilitation and resettlement outcomes across the region.
As Partnership Manager, you will act as the strategic link between Forward Trust teams and key stakeholders, ensuring seamless collaboration across prisons, probation, voluntary, and community health services.
You’ll be the single point of contact driving partnership development, supporting frontline teams, and ensuring that service delivery meets high standards. Your role will be crucial in ensuring clients leaving custody can access holistic, person-centred support.
Key responsibilities include:
- Mapping and improving access to existing community services while identifying gaps in provision.
- Supporting voluntary sector partners to work effectively and safely within the prison environment.
- Developing and strengthening partnerships with CRCs, probation, healthcare, and community organisations.
- Acting as an advocate for clients and ensuring equitable access to services inside and outside prison.
- Contributing to quality standards, audits, and reporting requirements, ensuring compliance and continuous improvement.
- Providing guidance, supervision, and support to teams across the East of England.
This is a dynamic and varied role requiring a strategic mindset, excellent communication skills, and the ability to build strong working relationships at all levels.
What We’re Looking For
We’re seeking someone who is not only motivated by making a difference, but also brings the skills and experience to thrive in this strategic role.
Essential criteria include:
- Strong IT and project management skills to support effective service delivery.
- Flexibility to adapt to the evolving needs of the service.
- Proven experience in developing service level agreements (SLAs) with multiple providers.
- Knowledge of community-based support organisations.
- Ability to represent Forward Trust with professionalism and credibility.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders in different settings.
If you are passionate about reducing health inequalities, strengthening partnerships, and helping people leaving prison access the support they need, we’d love to hear from you.