At a Glance
- Tasks: Support service users in court and custody settings, providing practical help and emotional advocacy.
- Company: Join Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust, a leading provider of mental health and community services.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, NHS pension, and discounts at popular retailers.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on health outcomes for individuals in the criminal justice system.
- Qualifications: NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent, plus strong communication skills.
- Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 ÂŁ per year.
We are looking for a Band 4 Support Worker to join our Thames Valley Liaison and Diversion team. You will have a keen interest in Liaison and Diversion and a passion about supporting our service users as they make their way through police custody, court and up to prison.
We are a dynamic, people-centred team who are looking for some who is passionate about health outcomes for those making their way through the criminal justice system.
With a reputation for excellence, our service is committed to improving the health of our clients, identifying care pathways, and reducing reoffending.
Recognised with a number of awards, including a Thames Valley Commendation, Berkshire Healthcare âTeam of the Yearâ and runner-up for the Howard League for Penal Reform âLiaison and Diversion Service of the Yearâ.
We value our employees and put people first. We achieved an âOutstandingâ rating overall in our latest CQC inspection, which found that: âManagers across Berkshire Healthcare promoted a positive culture that supported and valued staff, creating a sense of common purpose based on shared values.â
We operate across Thames Valley, but this post is predominately based in Oxfordshire working for Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust.
⢠Monday – Friday 9am-5pm based primarily within court settings within Oxford but also meeting service users within the community.
⢠You will support people within court and custody settings who are typically hard to engage, you will talk to families and friends, to gain a holistic understanding of the clientâs circumstances and facilitate their access to support services, providing individualised support with practical problems or difficulties that may be affecting their health and wellbeing.
⢠An empathetic advocate of service users, you will promote their rights and responsibilities, building a rapport, whilst maintaining appropriate and transparent boundaries. You will be emotionally resilient, able to cope with people potentially displaying challenging behaviour and distressing situations.
⢠To provide help and advice to service users that includes housing, social isolation and exclusion, education, debt management and employment problems etc.
⢠To provide the court with written and verbal information pertaining to the individual in a timely fashion to inform disposal.
⢠To work closely and build links with all referring agencies within the custody suite, court and probation acting as a single point of contact for health.
⢠To work autonomously, with the ability to organise and manage own time according to delegated workload.
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated âoutstandingâ by the CQC, weâre committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, weâre committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
⢠Caring for and about you is our top priority
⢠Committed to providing good quality, safe services
⢠Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
⢠Flexible working options to support work-life balance
⢠27 daysâ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
⢠Generous NHS pension scheme
⢠Excellent learning and career development opportunities
⢠âCycle to Workâ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
⢠Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
⢠Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
⢠Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
⢠Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
⢠Free parking across Trust site
The âmust havesâ for you to be considered for this role:
⢠An NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent or relevant training to diploma level.
⢠A warm personality, good communication and people skills.
⢠Licence holder with access to your own vehicle who is prepared to travel across multiple sites in Thames Valley as required.
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please donât hesitate to call: Lucy Bashir on 07584 556882 or email: lucy.bashir@berkshire.nhs.uk who will be delighted to help.
Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
This advert closes on Sunday 13 Jul 2025 #J-18808-Ljbffr
Support, Time & Recovery Worker | Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust employer: Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Contact Detail:
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Support, Time & Recovery Worker | Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
â¨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by service users in the criminal justice system. Understanding their needs and the barriers they encounter will help you demonstrate your passion for supporting them during the interview.
â¨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals already working in the field of Liaison and Diversion. Attend relevant workshops or seminars to gain insights and make connections that could give you an edge when applying for this role.
â¨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss real-life scenarios where you've successfully supported individuals facing difficulties. Highlight your empathetic approach and ability to build rapport, as these are crucial skills for a Support Worker.
â¨Tip Number 4
Research Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's values and recent achievements. Being able to articulate how your personal values align with theirs can significantly strengthen your application and show your commitment to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Support, Time & Recovery Worker | Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the key responsibilities and requirements. Highlight your relevant experience in supporting individuals within the criminal justice system, as this will be crucial for your application.
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Address each point in the person specification directly in your supporting statement. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate how you meet these criteria, particularly focusing on your communication skills and ability to engage with hard-to-reach individuals.
Showcase Your Qualifications: Clearly mention your NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent qualifications. If you have additional training or certifications, include those as well to strengthen your application.
Express Your Passion: Convey your enthusiasm for the role and the values of Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Discuss your commitment to improving health outcomes and supporting service users, as this aligns with the organisation's mission.
How to prepare for a job interview at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
â¨Show Your Passion for Support Work
Make sure to express your genuine interest in supporting service users within the criminal justice system. Share any relevant experiences or motivations that drive your passion for this role, as it will resonate well with the interviewers.
â¨Demonstrate Empathy and Resilience
Prepare examples that showcase your ability to handle challenging situations with empathy and emotional resilience. Discuss how you've successfully managed difficult behaviours or distressing circumstances in the past.
â¨Highlight Your Communication Skills
Effective communication is key in this role. Be ready to discuss how you build rapport with clients and collaborate with other agencies. Use specific examples to illustrate your strong interpersonal skills.
â¨Familiarise Yourself with the Organisation's Values
Research Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's values and mission. During the interview, align your answers with their commitment to caring, quality services, and collaboration, showing that you are a good cultural fit for the team.