Prison Leaver Support Worker in Welwyn Garden City

Providing housing and recovery support with a goal of achieving independent living.

Contract: Part‑time – 6 month fixed‑term contract

Location: Hertfordshire

Hours per week: 22.5 hours per week

Application Closing Date: 08/01/2026

About Emerging Futures CIC

Emerging Futures works nationally with people affected by addiction, encouraging them to make positive changes to their lives.

We believe that no one should suffer the stigma associated with addiction, and that everyone seeking support should feel valued and respected.

We provide homes for people to connect with others and make the necessary changes to move towards independent, healthy living.

Our behaviour change services provide a confidential space to share experiences, and offer practical support to those who want to change.

The Emerging Futures accredited coach training develops the skills of our volunteers, motivating people to give back and reconnect with their community.

About the role

As a Prison Leaver Support Worker, you will support people facing substance misuse issues and homelessness during their sentence and on release. Your primary responsibility is to support individuals at the critical point of leaving custody, collecting them from the prison gate, taking them to key appointments such as probation or treatment services, and then helping them safely settle into their housing placement.

You will work with clients with complex needs, assessing their support requirements, managing referrals, and providing tenancy sustainment and recovery‑focused support. Your work will span a wide range of environments from prisons and housing projects to local authority offices, healthcare services, and recovery support settings.

This role is ideal for someone passionate about supporting people at a turning point in their lives, and committed to trauma‑informed, person‑centred care.

This is an entry‑level role, and we understand that not all candidates will have direct work experience in a similar position. You will have knowledge of the criminal justice system and health and social care system and you will also have:

• The ability to complete and pass the HMPPS Vetting Process to enter prisons.
• Experience delivering evidence‑based interventions for individuals affected by substance misuse and/or offending.
• Strong partnership working across multiple agencies.
• Proven success supporting tenancy sustainment and community reintegration.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle with business insurance.

How to apply

To apply for this role, click the ‘apply now’ button and complete our online application form.

Our online application form consists of a set of “getting to know you” questions that are specific to each role.

For most of our positions, we also ask that you upload a CV. Download the job description for a full list of duties along with a person specification detailing essential and desirable skills.

Application process

1. Copy and save the URL at the bottom of the form. So that you can revisit your application at a later date.
2. Complete your personal details. In order for us to contact you about your application.
3. Answer our ‘about you’ questions to help us understand your values, skills and experience.
4. Upload your CV (not all roles require a CV; this will not be visible if it is not required).
5. Complete the declarations about any adjustments, GDPR, your legal right to work, and DBS checks.
6. Don’t forget to click ‘submit’ and wait until you see the “application successful” message.

Useful tips

Read these useful tips to help you prepare your application.

• Our job applications are submitted on an online form by clicking the “apply now” button. As with all online webpages, if you lose your internet connection the page can crash, and you risk losing your application.
• To avoid this happening, we’d advise writing the answers to our ‘getting to know you’ questions offline first, either on your computer or phone. Once you’re happy and ready to submit, you can paste them into the online form. Alternatively, copy the form URL displayed at the bottom of the form by the “submit” button, and use this to revisit your application online later.
• It’s always worth double checking that your email address and phone number are correct. If there are typos here, we won’t be able to contact you about your application after we have shortlisted to interview.
• Write your ‘getting to know you’ responses in your own words. Imagine you’re speaking to the person who you hope might hire you. The more we know about the real you, your values, and your experiences the better (so don’t let ChatGPT answer for you!).
• Read through your responses a few times before you send the final application and correct any spelling errors or add anything you may have missed. We’re not looking for seasoned copywriters, but it shows you’ve taken care over your application.
• Not all our jobs require you to upload a CV, but if you are asked to, please make sure it’s in a format that we can read. Accepted formats: pdf, doc, jpeg, jpg, png, txt, docx.
• Once you have submitted your application, wait until you see the “application successful” message. You’ll also receive an email confirming the application has been received, which has a link to complete our Equality and Diversity short survey.

Working in our Hertfordshire services

By joining the Emerging Futures workforce, you become part of a nationwide team dedicated to providing addiction recovery support services throughout the United Kingdom. This role joins part of a larger team in Hertfordshire, with colleagues working across our services in Watford, Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City and Hemel Hempstead.

Registered office: Glen Valley House, 634 Bacup Road, Waterfoot, Rossendale, Lancashire, BB4 7AW. Company number: 8938725