At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in custody with guidance and tailored support for successful reintegration.
- Company: Join a compassionate team dedicated to making a difference in the criminal justice sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, volunteer days, and healthcare cash plan.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on lives while gaining valuable experience in a rewarding role.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care, rehabilitation, or community outreach is preferred; recent graduates welcome.
We’re looking for a compassionate and motivated Custody Support Worker to join our CFO Evolution team and make a real difference in the lives of individuals in custody. In this role, you’ll support a caseload of participants within a prison environment starting from initial engagement and assessment and continuing throughout their sentence. You’ll provide motivational guidance and tailored support to help participants stay engaged, overcome personal challenges, and prepare for successful reintegration into the community.
Support is delivered through a mix of one to one sessions and group interventions, with a strong focus on pre-release planning to ensure a smooth transition back into society. We’re ideally looking for someone with experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Probation services supporting individuals under supervision or on license
- Social care working with vulnerable adults or young people
- Prison or custody settings with a focus on rehabilitation or reintegration
- Substance misuse or mental health services involving motivational support or mentoring
- Community outreach and housing support
We also welcome applications from recent graduates who are eager to gain experience in the criminal justice sector and make a meaningful impact. This is a rewarding opportunity that will allow you to help our participants change their lives around!
In return for your dedication, knowledge, and commitment, we offer a competitive salary of £25,877 - £29,000 per annum (dependent on experience) with these great benefits:
- 25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays + Birthday Day off (with the opportunity to buy an additional 5 days)
- 2 Volunteer Days
- Pension - 5% Employee 5% Employer
- Healthcare Cash Plan, incl. 3 x salary life assurance
- Annual salary pay review
- Refer a friend scheme
- Free access to Benefit Hub - an online portal with access to a wide range of retail discounts, cycle to work scheme, and additional voluntary benefits
Interested? There’s an easy to apply route below to upload your CV! If you need any further information, talk to our experienced Internal Recruitment Team.
Location: HMP Guys Marsh
Hours: 37 Hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 29 April 2026
Key Responsibilities
- Meet individual performance targets and contribute towards meeting team performance targets in line with contractual requirements.
- Closely collaborate with volunteer peer mentors and/or mentors to help you manage your caseload more effectively and connect participants with resources for housing, substance use, physical and mental health, etc.
- Individually and as a team member, contribute towards a learning environment in which all colleagues are enabled to develop their skills and experience, and engage in activities to share best practice.
- To ensure effective case management and co-ordination of risk with a particular focus on safeguarding of adults and children. This includes the timely notification of concerns regarding change in individual risk to the Probation Service and adhering to systems, policies and procedures to support the management of risk.
- Ensure all contractual targets are met.
Skills and Experience
- IAG Level 3 - desirable
- Experience managing a caseload of participants - desirable
- Knowledge of inputting and retrieving electronic data and maintain computer-based information systems in an accurate and timely manner. Experience in a target-driven environment
- Excellent verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to relate to people at all levels and in a variety of settings
- Ability to motivate and sustain engagement of individuals
Custody Support worker employer: Communities and Education
Contact Detail:
Communities and Education Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Custody Support worker
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the criminal justice sector, especially those who work in custody support or rehabilitation. A friendly chat can lead to valuable insights and even job leads.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to custody support. Think about your experiences and how they relate to the role. We want you to shine and show how you can make a difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for helping others! In your conversations and interviews, share stories that highlight your commitment to supporting individuals in challenging situations. It’s all about making that personal connection.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way to get your application noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Custody Support worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Custody Support Worker role. Highlight any relevant experience in probation services, social care, or working with vulnerable individuals to show us you’re a great fit!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about supporting individuals in custody and how your background prepares you for this rewarding role. Keep it personal and engaging!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves a lot of interaction with participants, make sure to demonstrate your excellent communication skills in your application. Whether it’s through your writing style or examples of past experiences, let us see how you connect with people.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smooth application process. It’s super easy, and you’ll be one step closer to joining our amazing team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Communities and Education
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a Custody Support Worker inside and out. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities, especially around motivational guidance and pre-release planning. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Show Your Compassion
This role is all about supporting individuals in custody, so be prepared to discuss your experience working with vulnerable people. Share specific examples of how you've motivated or guided someone through a tough time. This will demonstrate your empathy and commitment to helping others.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the team dynamics, the support systems in place for participants, or how success is measured in this role. This shows that you're not just interested in the job, but also in how you can contribute to the team's goals.
✨Be Yourself
Authenticity goes a long way in interviews. Be honest about your experiences and what you can bring to the table. The interviewers want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through while discussing your passion for rehabilitation and reintegration.