Reconnect Worker - Maternity cover in Cardiff

Important: Although this is a remote-based role, the successful candidate will be required to travel for training, meetings, stakeholder engagement and other requirements of the business. You should therefore be able to travel to our relevant locations as required.

This a 6-month maternity cover contract

About the Role

The Forward Trust is looking for a motivated and compassionate RECONNECT Practitioner to provide a comprehensive, inclusive and bespoke service to people leaving prison who require further support to successfully transition back into the community.

RECONNECT is designed to help people leaving prison access and sustain the support they need to improve their health, wellbeing and stability in the community. This may include support with physical or mental health, emotional wellbeing, substance misuse, access to primary care and other wider support needs.

You will work with clients from 12 weeks prior to release, completing a robust assessment to understand their individual needs, strengths and aspirations. Working collaboratively with the client and a range of internal and external agencies, you will develop a bespoke, person-centred care plan that supports a safe and successful transition into the community.

The service includes mentor link-in, signposting, GP referrals, aftercare support and connections to the wider Forward community, ensuring that clients are fully connected to appropriate services and support before and after release.

Key Responsibilities

• Process referrals and provide timely updates to referrers regarding assessment outcomes.
• Conduct comprehensive and in-depth needs assessments for all suitable referrals.
• Develop and implement individual, person-centred and SMART care plans based on identified needs.
• Maintain regular contact with and provide support to service users in preparation for release and for up to six months post-release.
• Ensure service users are fully connected with appropriate health, wellbeing and community services prior to release.
• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with external agencies, healthcare providers and other key stakeholders.
• Implement and maintain clear referral pathways, working closely with Offender Management in Custody, families, self-referrals, prison services and healthcare teams.
• Provide holistic support that is safe, inclusive and responsive to the individual needs of each service user.
• Use motivational interviewing and other appropriate approaches to engage and empower service users.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to share knowledge, best practice and learning.
• Fully engage with risk assessment and safeguarding processes to ensure services are delivered safely and effectively.
• Maintain accurate and timely records in line with organisational policies, contractual requirements and data protection standards.
• Contribute to achieving individual and team targets while maintaining a high standard of service delivery.
• Represent The Forward Trust positively and professionally when working with clients, colleagues, partner organisations and wider stakeholders.
• Be flexible and responsive to the changing needs of the service and the people we support.

About You

We are looking for someone who is passionate about supporting people to make positive and sustainable changes in their lives.

You will have experience of working within mental health, emotional wellbeing, substance misuse or related support services, and be confident working with people who may have complex and multiple needs.

You will be able to build trusting relationships with service users, understand their individual circumstances and work collaboratively with them to identify realistic goals and develop effective support plans.

You will have experience of completing comprehensive assessments and designing and implementing SMART care plans, alongside experience of delivering structured interventions. Experience of facilitating groups would also be beneficial.

You will be confident using motivational interviewing techniques in both one-to-one and group settings and understand how effective engagement can help people build confidence, resilience and independence.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential. You will be comfortable communicating with a wide range of stakeholders and adapting your communication style across different settings and formats.

You will also need strong IT skills to support effective case management, project management, record keeping and communication.

Most importantly, you will share The Forward Trust's commitment to providing inclusive, person-centred and non-judgemental support, ensuring that the voice and needs of the service user remain at the heart of everything you do.

We are looking for someone with:

• Experience of working within mental health, emotional wellbeing, substance misuse or similar services.
• Experience of carrying out comprehensive assessments and developing and implementing SMART care plans.
• Experience of delivering structured interventions to service users.
• Experience of facilitating groups is desirable.
• Experience of using motivational interviewing techniques in one-to-one and group settings.
• Strong IT skills and the ability to use IT effectively to support case management and project management.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and in a variety of formats.
• The ability to build and maintain effective professional relationships with partner agencies and services.
• Flexibility and the ability to respond positively to the changing needs of the service.
• The ability to work independently while also contributing effectively as part of a wider team.
• The ability to represent The Forward Trust in a positive, professional and respectful manner.
• A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and person-centred practice.
• The ability and willingness to travel for training, meetings and other business requirements, including travel to relevant prisons, offices and partner locations.

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 an employee, we will offer you the following benefits -

• Support for Families – We support our employees through every stage of family life by offering enhanced maternity and paternity pay for eligible employees who have completed 26 weeks' continuous service, alongside family-friendly policies and a supportive, inclusive workplace. If you'd like more information about our family-friendly benefits, please contact our Recruitment Team at recruitment@forwardtrust.org.uk
• 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)

Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Please note that remote roles may require occasional travel for site visits, training and meetings.

Diversity at Forward Trust

The Forward Trust commits to providing opportunities to everyone. We want to ensure we have a diverse team with a range of lived and professional experiences. This includes those with ‘Lived Experience’ of addiction, offending, or homelessness. Some of our roles may require a minimum period of sustained recovery (normally around years). This is assessed on a case-by‑case basis, and exceptions may be considered depending on the role and individual circumstances.
When we recruit, we welcome applications from everyone. This is inclusive of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and/or belief, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity and socio-economic background. Where operationally possible, we will consider flexible working requests and make reasonable adjustments for all roles.

To find out more about Forward’s commitment to being an inclusive employer and our current EDI strategy click here .

We want our recruitment process to be accessible to everyone. If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know.

Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work

Dependent on role you may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check, details of which will be shared with you at interview.

If successful in your application, you will be required to provide eligibility to work evidence in line with the ‘Eligibility to Work in the UK’ requirements.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. Forward Trust follow safer recruitment practices and support a culture of openness and accountability.

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