At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in custody, providing 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.
Join our CFO Evolution team as a Custody Support Worker. We’re looking for a compassionate and motivated individual to 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 licence
- 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.
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 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.
- Ensure effective case management and co-ordination of risk with a particular focus on safeguarding of adults and children.
- Ensure all contractual targets are met.
Skills & Experience:
- IAG Level 3 - desirable
- Experience managing a caseload of participants - desirable
- Knowledge of inputting and retrieving electronic data and maintaining computer-based information systems in an accurate and timely manner.
- 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 - (Exeter) employer: Communities and Education
Join a compassionate and community-focused organisation as a Custody Support Worker in Exeter, where you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals in custody. With a strong emphasis on employee well-being, we offer generous benefits including 25 days annual leave, a supportive work culture that prioritises personal and professional growth, and a commitment to fostering a sense of community among our staff. This role not only provides a competitive salary but also allows you to engage in rewarding work that contributes to the rehabilitation and reintegration of participants into society.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Custody Support worker - (Exeter)
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Communities and Education.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Communities and Education!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Communities and Education, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Communities and Education or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Custody Support worker - (Exeter)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Communities and Education:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Communities and Education! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Communities and Education
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
