At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals reintegrating into the community with tailored care plans and guidance.
- Company: Join Forward Trust, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering change.
- Benefits: Flexible working, training opportunities, wellbeing days, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team committed to positive change.
- Why this job: Use your lived experience to make a real difference in people's lives.
- Qualifications: Experience with mental health, substance misuse, or criminal justice systems is essential.
Location: Buckinghamshire
Salary: £26,000 per annum
Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time
At Forward Trust, equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our mission. Our NHS-commissioned RECONNECT service proudly recruits individuals with lived experience of physical or mental ill health, substance misuse, or the criminal justice system. Your insight will strengthen the support we provide, and we’re looking for someone who can bring that valuable experience into this essential role.
About the Role
As a RECONNECT Peer Support Worker, you’ll deliver a comprehensive, inclusive and bespoke service to clients across HMP Bedford, HMP Woodhill, Yarl’s Wood IRC and the wider Bedfordshire & Buckinghamshire community, with some remote working. You’ll help people preparing to leave custody connect with the right support, whether that’s mental or physical health care, substance use interventions, or broader wellbeing guidance. The service includes mentor linking, signposting, GP referrals, aftercare, and connecting clients to the wider Forward Trust community. Working with referrals received 12 weeks prior to release, you’ll complete robust assessments, identify individual needs and co-produce personalised care plans centred on each client.
Key Responsibilities
- Process referrals, complete in-depth assessments, and update referrers on outcomes.
- Create bespoke care plans and provide up to 6 months post-release support focused on health and wellbeing needs.
- Manage a diverse caseload, supporting reintegration and engagement with community healthcare.
- Assist the Team Leader with recruiting and training prison peer supporters.
- Build strong partnerships with external agencies and maintain clear referral pathways (OMiC, families, prison staff, healthcare).
- Maintain high-quality admin and record-keeping, including case notes, assessments, care plans and risk assessments.
- Ensure safe, holistic service delivery and actively contribute to team risk assessments and best-practice sharing.
- Make referrals to the Forward Trust Meet and Greet service and support Meet at the Gate releases.
- Ensure service users are connected with local support services ahead of release.
If you’re ready to use your lived experience to support people reintegrating into the community and rebuilding their lives, we’d love to hear from you.
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
- Simply Health 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)
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 their website to complete your application.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land RECONNECT Peer Support Worker in Buckingham
✨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 Forward Trust.
✨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 Forward Trust!
✨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 Forward Trust, 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 Forward Trust 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 RECONNECT Peer Support Worker in Buckingham
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 Forward Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Forward Trust! 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 Forward Trust
✨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.
