Gangs and Violence Reduction Project Worker

Company Description exists to help build a society where everyone has a good place to live, good people around them, and a fulfilling purpose. In , we work with young people and adults in custody and in the community, providing a range of services including offender management and resettlement, mentoring, victim services, gangs work, and youth justice. We believe that with effective support mechanisms and the correct interventions, we can change service user\’s ideology, helping them desist from crime and reach their true potential.

Catch22\’s Gangs Service was introduced in HMP Thameside in April 2013 to reduce the risk posed by gang-involved prisoners. Run by professionals with extensive knowledge and understanding of gang culture, the service aims to capitalize on the \’teachable moments\’ prompted by prison sentences to encourage people to leave gang lifestyles behind. Specifically, the service targets coping and communication skills and identifies positive educational and employment opportunities for people to pursue on release.

Want to be part of an organisation committed to the development and progression of their staff? As of September 2022, 73% of our management group have progressed from frontline roles within Catch22, which allows us to offer progression opportunities for staff under the leadership of managers with frontline experience.

Job Description

You will be working in close partnership with the prison, criminal justice, health, education, and voluntary sector services to promote and deliver our services and achieve the required outputs and outcomes. Your main duties and responsibilities will include:

1. Contributing towards delivery of activities and interventions that will deter prisoners from involvement in gang-related activities.
2. Maintaining a good level of knowledge and understanding of gang activity within the local area.
3. Working with statutory and voluntary sector partners to ensure the work is part of a pathway of activities available and adds value to existing provision.
4. Delivering 1-1 and group interventions.
5. Collaborating with prisoners to ensure that they are involved in co-creating the service so that it addresses their priorities and needs.
6. Contributing towards activities with staff, prisoners, and partners identifying interventions that are effective in reducing gang activity, reducing risk, and developing protective factors.
7. Making appropriate onward referrals, signposting young people to support services with partner agencies and positive activities where appropriate, and identifying creative solutions to any barriers that may arise.

Additional Information

This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS and MoJ prison security vetting. Catch22 Justice requests no contact from agencies or media sales. Catch22 is committed to rigorous safeguarding and safer recruitment practices, ensuring that every individual within the organisation has been safely and appropriately checked.

Qualifications

Awareness of the needs of young adults, knowledge of gangs and gang violence, and an understanding of the reasons why individuals may become involved in gangs. Qualities of a good candidate include:

• A confident professional who is responsive to pressure and change.
• Able to be adaptable, working in challenging environments whilst maintaining a motivational approach and achieving performance targets.
• Experience of working within the gangs and/or youth violence sector.
• Ability to engage and work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds with multiple needs.
• Knowledge of delivering 1-1 and group interventions or willingness to learn.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and policy relating to gangs and serious violence.

Extensive training and development opportunities are available, along with the chance to work within a fast-paced inner London prison supporting a diverse mix of service users. This role offers an excellent opportunity for career development and progression, including access to Catch 22 apprenticeships. We are invested in diversity, inclusion, and staff wellbeing, offering flexible working arrangements, staff incentives, and reward schemes. Benefits include 28 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with service, and a pension scheme with matching contributions of up to 4%.

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