At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals on probation to create positive life changes and rebuild relationships.
- Company: Join Forward Trust, a leading charity transforming lives across England and Wales.
- Benefits: Flexible working, enhanced family support, training opportunities, and 25 days annual leave.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building a rewarding career.
- Qualifications: Empathy, strong communication skills, and a desire to help others succeed.
- Supporting People on Probation – Maternity
- Cover
- Vacancy
Type: Fixed Term Contract, Maternity Cover Help people build a better future.
Build a rewarding career while you do it.
We're looking for compassionate, motivated people to join our Supporting People on Probation Team across Sussex.
This is a full-time role (37.5 hours per week) based across Brighton, Hastings, Worthing, Crawley and Littlehampton Probation Offices, with occasional work alongside prison resettlement teams at HMP Ford and HMP Lewes.
If you're passionate about helping people make lasting changes, we'd love to hear from you.
Whether you've worked in probation, prisons, policing, education, health, social care, counselling, psychology, social prescribing—or simply have transferable life experience and a genuine desire to help others succeed—this could be the role for you.
What you'll do No two days are the same.
You could be
- Supporting people on probation to overcome barriers and make positive life changes.
- Delivering one-to-one interventions and facilitating engaging group sessions.
- Helping people rebuild family relationships and develop healthier social networks.
- Working alongside Probation Practitioners to create and deliver action plans.
- Connecting people with healthcare, community services and practical support.
- Meeting individuals before release from prison to support successful resettlement.
- Keeping accurate records and ensuring every interaction makes a difference. What we're looking for We're looking for someone who:
- Builds strong relationships and communicates with empathy.
- Believes everyone deserves the opportunity to change.
- Is organised, resilient and able to manage a varied workload.
- Enjoys working collaboratively with partner agencies.
- Has excellent record-keeping and communication skills.
- Holds a full UK driving licence (desirable), as travel across Sussex is required.
Why Forward Trust?
At Forward Trust, we believe another life is possible.
You'll join a leading charity delivering rehabilitative services across England and Wales, working alongside passionate colleagues committed to transforming lives.
Around 30% of our staff have lived experience ofaddiction or offending, helping to create an inclusive, understanding and supportive workplace.
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 - Flexible working 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 (url removed) 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.
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
Supporting People on Probation - Maternity Cover in Eastbourne employer: Forward Trust
Forward Trust in Margate is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a positive impact in the community by empowering job seekers, particularly those facing barriers such as ex-offenders. With a strong focus on employee growth, flexible working arrangements, and comprehensive benefits, we foster a supportive work culture that values collaboration and personal development, making it a rewarding place for those passionate about helping others succeed in their career journeys.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supporting People on Probation - Maternity Cover in Eastbourne
✨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 Supporting People on Probation - Maternity Cover in Eastbourne
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.
