Locations: HMP Wayland, HMP Norwich, HMP Bure (with some remote working)
If successful, you will be required to complete prison security vetting as part of the recruitment process.
Forward Trust is a leading provider of health, wellbeing, and substance misuse services across prisons and the community. We believe in empowering individuals to build positive, sustainable futures. Our RECONNECT service supports people leaving prison to access and sustain health, wellbeing, and community services. We provide advice, mentoring, signposting, GP referrals, and aftercare support, ensuring continuity of care and a smooth transition back into the community.
As a RECONNECT Worker, you will deliver a comprehensive, inclusive, and person-centred service to individuals preparing for release from prison. Starting 12 weeks prior to release, you will assess service users’ needs, co-create bespoke care plans, and ensure they are fully connected to local support networks post-release.
Key Responsibilities
- Process referrals and update referrers on assessment outcomes.
- Conduct in-depth needs assessments for all suitable referrals.
- Create robust, SMART care plans in partnership with service users and external agencies.
- Maintain contact and provide support up to 6 months post-release.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with external agencies, stakeholders, and partners.
- Ensure referral pathways are clear and effective (including Offender Management in Custody, Healthcare, and family/self-referrals).
- Facilitate safe delivery of holistic services, meeting both individual and team targets.
- Share best practice and fully engage with risk assessment and safeguarding processes.
- Support service users to access physical health, mental health, and wider wellbeing services in the community.
About You
Essential Skills & Experience
- Experience of carrying out comprehensive assessments and creating SMART care plans.
- Experience of delivering structured 1:1 interventions to service users.
- Skilled in motivational interviewing techniques.
- Strong IT skills to support project management and case recording.
- Flexibility to meet the evolving needs of the service.
- Ability to represent Forward Trust professionally with internal and external stakeholders.
Desirable
- Experience of facilitating groups.