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- Tasks: Support individuals transitioning from prison, delivering holistic recovery interventions and coordinating care.
- Company: Join Forward Trust, a leader in drug and alcohol services within the prison system.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, training opportunities, health cashback, and generous annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Knowledge of Criminal Justice services and experience in substance misuse or healthcare settings required.
- Other info: This is a maternity cover role with a fixed-term contract until February 2026.
The predicted salary is between 25154 - 35154 £ per year.
Prison Release Recovery Worker (Maternity Cover)
Location: Shepherd\’s Bush
Salary: £25,154 per annum plus benefits
Vacancy Type: Contract, Full Time, 15/08/2025 – 14/02/2026
We are recruiting for a Prison Release Recovery Worker on a maternity cover fixed-term contract until February 2026.
At Forward Trust, we deliver a range of drug and alcohol services within the prison environment, including advice, health and wellbeing support, motivational work, clinical services, and group treatments.
Our services in prisons are commissioned by NHS England and delivered in partnership with healthcare providers and HMPPS, emphasizing integration and collaboration.
We believe everyone can lead a fulfilling life regardless of their past. Our prison work aims to support individuals affected by substance issues to create lasting change and reduce dependency, homelessness, unemployment, and re-offending.
Roles & Responsibilities
The Substance Misuse Service at HMP Wormwood Scrubs provides psychosocial interventions within the New Models of Care (NMOC) framework, working closely with healthcare services to deliver various functions, including early days in custody, unscheduled and planned care, release, and resettlement. The service is based on-site, delivering interventions to service users aged 18 and over in a closed men\’s prison in West London.
The approach is recovery-oriented and trauma-informed, focusing on holistic health and wellbeing interventions for those experiencing drug and alcohol misuse issues.
As a Prison Release Recovery Worker, you will coordinate and deliver transitional support to service users, working collaboratively with prison and healthcare partners to ensure continuity of care upon release and for up to 4 weeks afterwards (\’Through the Gate\’). You will build partnerships with various agencies to facilitate meet and greet services, escorting service users to residential rehab, community treatment, or other support services, often working alone and using public transport.
You will manage referrals, assess service user needs and risks, and support them during the first 24 hours post-release, linking them into treatment and mutual aid groups such as AA/NA. You will develop holistic release plans with the service user, involving prison-based teams like offender management and probation, to ensure all necessary referrals and pathways are established before release. The role involves delivering interventions through group facilitation and one-to-one work.
All prison-based roles require enhanced DBS and HMPPS security vetting, which can take 3-6 weeks. Offers are subject to vetting clearance.
Checks include:
- Personal, financial, police, and criminal history information
- Family details
- Co-residents and associations
- Background checks across police systems and others
- Credit and social media checks
The Ideal Candidate
- Thorough knowledge of Criminal Justice services
- Understanding of issues faced by those with substance misuse problems
- Experience delivering interventions in substance misuse or healthcare settings
- Effective workload management skills
- Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and community agencies
- Good communication, organizational, and IT skills
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries
- Commitment to equal opportunity and confidentiality principles
Benefits
We value our staff and offer various benefits, including:
- Flexible working
- Training and development
- Health cashback scheme
- Season Ticket Loan
- Cycle to Work
- Crisis Loan
- Electric Car Scheme
- Wellbeing Days
- Blue Light Card
- Annual leave (25 days, rising to 30) plus bank holidays
- Contributory pension (up to 6% employer matched, rising to 9%)
- Death in Service (2x salary)
- Critical Illness Insurance (where applicable)
To Apply
If interested, please apply via the Forward Trust careers page: https://careers.forwardtrust.org.uk.
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Prison Release Recovery Worker in Shepherd\'s Bush) employer: Ad Warrior Ltd
Contact Detail:
Ad Warrior Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Prison Release Recovery Worker in Shepherd\'s Bush)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by individuals in the criminal justice system, particularly those dealing with substance misuse. Understanding these issues will help you connect better with potential employers and demonstrate your commitment to supporting service users.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals already working in the field of substance misuse and criminal justice. Attend relevant workshops or seminars to meet people who can provide insights and possibly refer you to job openings, including the position at StudySmarter.
✨Tip Number 3
Gain experience through volunteering or internships in related fields. This hands-on experience will not only enhance your CV but also give you practical skills that are highly valued in roles like the Prison Release Recovery Worker.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for the interview by practising responses to common questions related to recovery work and trauma-informed care. Be ready to discuss how you would handle specific scenarios that may arise in the role, showcasing your problem-solving abilities.
We think you need these skills to ace Prison Release Recovery Worker in Shepherd\'s Bush)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of a Prison Release Recovery Worker. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the role.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any previous work in substance misuse or healthcare settings. Provide specific examples of how you've delivered interventions or supported individuals facing similar challenges.
Showcase Your Skills: Make sure to mention your effective communication, organisational, and IT skills. These are crucial for managing referrals and coordinating support services, so provide examples of how you've successfully used these skills in past roles.
Personalise Your Application: Address your application to the hiring manager if possible, and express your passion for helping individuals affected by substance misuse. A personal touch can make your application stand out and show your commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ad Warrior Ltd
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Prison Release Recovery Worker. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by individuals with substance misuse issues and how your role will help them transition successfully post-release.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in delivering interventions within substance misuse or healthcare settings. Highlight any relevant work with multidisciplinary teams and community agencies, as this will demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively.
✨Demonstrate Communication Skills
Effective communication is key in this role. Be ready to provide examples of how you've communicated with service users, colleagues, and external partners. This will show your ability to maintain professional boundaries while being empathetic and supportive.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage challenging situations. Think about how you would handle various scenarios related to service user needs, risks, and the delivery of holistic support.
