At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families in rebuilding relationships and creating positive futures within a prison setting.
- Company: Join The Forward Trust, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering change.
- Benefits: Flexible working, training opportunities, wellbeing days, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Part-time role with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and support meaningful change.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable groups and strong communication skills required.
Location: Buckinghamshire
Salary: £12,000 per annum
Vacancy Type: Permanent, Part Time (17.5 hours per week)
Closing date: 26th of May 2026
Are you passionate about helping people rebuild relationships, strengthen family connections and create positive futures? We’re looking for a Family Support Practitioner to join our Family Support and Specialist Programmes team at HMP Aylesbury. This is a part-time role (17.5 hours per week), offering a meaningful opportunity to support individuals and families both within the prison setting and in the local community. In this role, you’ll help clients and their families build healthier, more stable relationships, while supporting recovery, rehabilitation and long-term positive change. You’ll deliver tailored 1:1 support, facilitate group programmes, and work closely with partner agencies to ensure a joined-up, holistic approach.
What you’ll be doing:
- Delivering 1:1 support face-to-face, online and by phone
- Facilitating family-focused interventions and group work (e.g. parenting and relationships programmes)
- Supporting clients to understand relationships in the context of addiction, offending and mental health
- Carrying out assessments and developing collaborative support plans
- Facilitating family meetings and supporting family visits where appropriate
- Working closely with internal teams and external partners to coordinate care
- Signposting to relevant services and maintaining accurate case records
What we’re looking for:
- Experience supporting individuals, families or vulnerable groups
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Confidence delivering structured 1:1 and group interventions
- Understanding of safeguarding and professional boundaries
- A compassionate, proactive and non-judgemental approach
- Ability to work independently while contributing to a wider team
This is a chance to make a real difference to family connections and long-term outcomes for people affected by complex needs. If you’re passionate about relationship-focused support and meaningful change, we’d love to hear from you.
All prison-based roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks and HMPPS security vetting. These checks can take up to 5 months to complete. Any offer of employment will be conditional upon the successful completion of both checks. Please note if you have lived overseas within the last 5 years then checks may take longer.
About Us
We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community. We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important.
Joining us as an employee, we will offer you the following benefits:
- Flexible working
- Training and development opportunities
- BHSF Cashback Scheme (optional)
- Season Ticket Loan Scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Crisis Loan Scheme
- Electric Car Scheme
- 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
- Access to Blue Light Card
- 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
- Contributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafter
- Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
- Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)
Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Forward Trust, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application.
Family Support Practitioner - HMP Aylesbury employer: Forward Trust
The Forward Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering individuals and families affected by crime and addiction. Located in Buckinghamshire, we offer a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing, with benefits such as flexible working, comprehensive training opportunities, and generous annual leave. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a range of perks designed to foster personal and professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Support Practitioner - HMP Aylesbury
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research The Forward Trust and understand their mission. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips about the role and the company culture, which can give you an edge in your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your past experiences relate to the role of Family Support Practitioner. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows professionalism and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Support Practitioner - HMP Aylesbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for helping people shine through. We want to see how much you care about rebuilding relationships and supporting families, so share your personal experiences or motivations that drive you to apply for this role.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've supported individuals or families in the past, so don’t hold back on those details!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that are easy to read. Use bullet points if necessary to make your key achievements stand out, and ensure your writing is free from jargon.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the information you need about the role and our organisation there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Forward Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a Family Support Practitioner. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and how they relate to supporting families in challenging situations. This will help you articulate your passion for the role and demonstrate your knowledge during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your skills in supporting individuals and families. Think about times when you've successfully facilitated group work or provided 1:1 support. Being able to share these stories will show your potential employer that you have the practical experience needed for the job.
✨Emphasise Communication Skills
As a Family Support Practitioner, strong interpersonal skills are crucial. Be ready to discuss how you communicate effectively with clients, families, and partner agencies. You might want to prepare a few scenarios where your communication made a positive impact, as this will illustrate your ability to build relationships.
✨Be Compassionate and Proactive
During the interview, convey your compassionate approach to working with vulnerable groups. Share your understanding of safeguarding and professional boundaries, and express your commitment to helping others rebuild their lives. This will resonate well with the values of the organisation and show that you're a good fit for their team.
