At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in prison to prepare for their release and rebuild their lives.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at HMP Durham making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, private medical insurance, and community volunteering days.
- Other info: Inclusive recruitment process with support available for all applicants.
- Why this job: Transform lives by helping others overcome barriers and achieve their goals.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and resilience are essential for this rewarding role.
The predicted salary is between 28755 - 28755 £ per year.
Salary: £28,755
Location: HMP Durham
Contract: Full Time Permanent
About the Role
Rebuilding your life after a custodial sentence is one of the toughest challenges a person can face. The role involves working within the prison to provide one-to-one support to a caseload of participants as they prepare for release. You will generally work with those in the last 12 weeks of their sentence, helping them to be ready to re-enter society, overcome barriers, build confidence, and take meaningful steps toward rehabilitation. You will also promote engagement with our community hubs post release. You will work closely with pre-release teams and the through the gate teams, ensuring participants are fully supported in their transition. This is a demanding yet deeply rewarding role. You will be working in a challenging environment with individuals who have complex needs and may be hesitant to engage. However, when you help someone break the cycle and take real steps toward transforming their life, the impact is truly life-changing—for them and for you.
What You'll Be Doing
- Relationship Building: Foster genuine, trusting, and non‑judgmental relationships with participants, creating a safe space for personal growth
- 121 Support: Set and review goals while ensuring accurate and timely recording
- Action Planning: Formulate a detailed action plan identifying specific needs and barriers and the support required to facilitate their transition
- Caseload management: Manage multiple individuals, balancing their needs while keeping up with all related admin
- Stakeholder Engagement: Support participants from all areas of the prison, generate referrals to the programme, and build your caseloads; ability to influence and engage with the wider prison community is key
What We Are Looking For
- Communication Skills: Engage, motivate, persuade, and listen to build strong connections with those you support and stakeholders you work alongside
- Safeguarding Awareness: Identify safeguarding risks when supporting complex individuals at a challenging time, and receive full support following any challenging interventions
- IT and Administrative Skills: Keep meticulous records of every interaction to measure client progress and ensure effective interventions
- Resilience: Commit to the role even when results take time, and see things through to completion
Whilst we welcome applicants with lived experience, this role requires an enhanced DBS check and HMPPS EL1 vetting. Due to the time required to complete these checks, successful candidates will be offered a start date at least 6 weeks from the point of job offer, allowing sufficient time for all necessary pre‑employment clearances to be obtained.
Benefits
- 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to trade for additional leave
- EAP Support programme available 24/7, including 6 free counselling sessions
- Private medical insurance and life assurance
- Up to 2 days of Community Giving (volunteering) each year to support a cause that matters to you
- Eyecare vouchers to help with glasses or eye care
- Online Shopping discounts
- Cycle to Work scheme and travel season ticket loan
- Long service awards to celebrate your commitment
- Salary Finance offering financial education and advice
- Opportunity to purchase extra benefits like critical illness cover and dental insurance
Additional Information
We understand that everyone's journey is different, and we are committed to making our recruitment process as inclusive and accessible as possible. If you require any support or adjustments—whether that's help with the application, interview format, or anything else—please let us know.
Custody Support Worker HMP Durham in North East employer: ENGINEERINGUK
At HMP Durham, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals preparing for reintegration into society. Our supportive work culture fosters personal and professional growth, offering comprehensive benefits such as private medical insurance, generous annual leave, and opportunities for community engagement. Join us in this rewarding role where your efforts can truly transform lives while enjoying a fulfilling career in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Custody Support Worker HMP Durham in North East
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the role inside out! Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities and challenges of a Custody Support Worker. This way, when you get that interview, you can show off your understanding and passion for helping individuals rebuild their lives.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn or at community events. They can give you insider tips about the role and the organisation, plus it shows your genuine interest in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Since this role is all about building relationships, think about how you can demonstrate your ability to engage and motivate others during the interview. Role-play with a friend to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Custody Support Worker HMP Durham in North East
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic:When you're writing your application, let your true self shine through. We want to see your personality and passion for helping others, especially in such a challenging role. Don’t be afraid to share your experiences and what drives you to support individuals in their journey.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the job description. Focus on your communication skills, resilience, and any relevant experience you have in supporting individuals with complex needs. This shows us that you understand the role and are genuinely interested.
Showcase Your Skills:Use specific examples to demonstrate your IT and administrative skills, as well as your ability to build relationships. We love seeing how you've managed caseloads or engaged with stakeholders in the past. Concrete examples make your application stand out!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the information you need about the role and our values right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at ENGINEERINGUK
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Custody Support Worker. Familiarise yourself with the challenges faced by individuals in custody and think about how you can help them rebuild their lives. This knowledge will show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role heavily relies on building relationships, be prepared to demonstrate your communication skills. Think of examples where you've successfully engaged with others, especially in challenging situations. Highlight your ability to listen, motivate, and persuade—these are key traits for the job.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and resilience. Prepare by thinking through potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would handle them. This will help you articulate your thought process and show that you're ready for the demands of the job.
✨Emphasise Your Administrative Skills
As a Custody Support Worker, you'll need to keep meticulous records. Be ready to discuss your IT and administrative skills during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've managed documentation or tracked progress in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your attention to detail and organisational abilities.
