At a Glance
- Tasks: Support men transitioning from prison to community, ensuring continuity of care and engagement with services.
- Company: Join The Forward Trust, a social enterprise dedicated to breaking cycles of crime and addiction.
- Benefits: Flexible working, training opportunities, wellbeing days, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by supporting their recovery journey.
- Qualifications: Experience in treatment or criminal justice services and strong relationship-building skills.
As a Prison Link Worker within the Dependency and Recovery Service, you will play a vital role in supporting men transitioning from custody into the community, helping to ensure continuity of care and sustained engagement with treatment and support services. Working predominantly across HMP Brixton and HMP Wandsworth, you will operate within a flexible, multi-disciplinary team in a hybrid model. This is a predominantly in-person role and you will be expected to work onsite within prison settings Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00, with occasional travel across London to support wider service delivery, training, and team meetings.
You will work closely with individuals prior to release, supporting them through the gate and into the community post-release. Your focus will be on engaging prison leavers who may have a history of non-engagement with services, helping them to access and sustain involvement with probation, substance misuse treatment, and wider statutory and voluntary sector support.
The role involves:
- Building strong working relationships with prison substance misuse teams, offender managers, probation staff, and partner agencies
- Supporting continuity of care through pre-release planning and post-release engagement
- Providing enhanced support including meet and greet arrangements, appointment reminders, and accompanying clients to key appointments
- Managing risks associated with transition into the community, including treatment drop-out, overdose prevention, and harm minimisation
- Carring a diverse caseload of adult male prison leavers and individuals on community orders
- Completing comprehensive assessments, collaborative action plans, and maintaining accurate case records using electronic systems
- Supporting service users to build motivation, navigate recovery, reduce reoffending, and achieve positive outcomes
You will work autonomously within secure custodial settings as a representative of the Dependency and Recovery Service and will be fully prison vetted to carry keys and work independently onsite.
We are looking for a confident, organised, and compassionate individual who is passionate about supporting people through recovery and reducing reoffending. You will have experience working within treatment, substance misuse, criminal justice, probation, or related support services, and understand the challenges individuals face when transitioning from prison into the community.
To succeed in this role, you will demonstrate:
- Experience of working within treatment and/or criminal justice services
- The ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries
- Confidence working autonomously within secure custodial environments
- Strong partnership working skills and the ability to build effective relationships with external agencies and stakeholders
- Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise workload and meet performance targets
- An understanding of equal opportunities, GDPR requirements, and the importance of client confidentiality
- Experience using electronic case management systems and Microsoft Office applications including Word, Outlook, and Teams
- A proactive and person-centred approach to supporting recovery and engagement
Due to the nature of the role, a full driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential, as travel across multiple prison sites and community locations will be required.
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.
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.
Prison Link Worker in Brixton employer: Forward Trust
The Forward Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering individuals to break the cycles of crime and addiction, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With flexible working arrangements, comprehensive training opportunities, and a range of benefits including generous annual leave and a contributory pension scheme, employees are encouraged to thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the community. Working in London, particularly within the dynamic environments of HMP Brixton and HMP Wandsworth, provides unique challenges and rewards, allowing you to contribute directly to the lives of those transitioning back into society.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Prison Link Worker in Brixton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field, attend relevant events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and understanding their values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission, especially in supporting individuals transitioning from custody.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, but keep it natural. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and showcase your skills effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank you email can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar!
We think you need these skills to ace Prison Link Worker in Brixton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in treatment and criminal justice services. We want to see how your skills align with the role of a Prison Link Worker, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant background!
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for supporting individuals through recovery shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who’s genuinely passionate about making a difference, so share any personal experiences or motivations that drive you.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate well-organised applications that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the position there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Forward Trust
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Prison Link Worker. Familiarise yourself with the key aspects of supporting individuals transitioning from custody to community, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with these duties.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
This role requires strong partnership working skills. Prepare examples of how you've successfully built relationships with external agencies or stakeholders in the past. Highlight your ability to maintain professional boundaries while being compassionate and supportive.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Given the diverse caseload you'll manage, it's crucial to showcase your organisational and time management skills. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise tasks and meet performance targets, especially in high-pressure environments.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and understanding of risk management. Think about potential challenges faced by prison leavers and how you would support them through their transition, ensuring continuity of care and engagement with services.
