About The Role
Do you have lived experience of health challenges, substance use, or the criminal justice system, and want to use it to make a real difference?
Forward Trust’s NHS-commissioned RECONNECT service is looking for a passionate Peer Support Worker to help people leaving prison reconnect with vital health and wellbeing support.
This is a rewarding, frontline role where your experience, empathy and insight will help shape a truly person-centred service across HMP The Mount and the wider Hertfordshire community.
What you’ll do:
- Deliver a person-centred RECONNECT service in custody and the community
- Complete assessments and co-produce tailored care plans
- Support service users for up to 6 months post-release
- Manage a varied caseload and coordinate with community services
- Lead and support the prison Peer Support Programme
- Recruit, train and support prison peer supporters
- Build strong partnerships with prisons, healthcare and external agencies
- Maintain accurate case notes, assessments and risk documentation
- Support Meet & Greet and “Meet at the Gate” releases
What we’re looking for:
- Relevant lived experience aligned with our EDI values
- Strong communication, organisation and relationship-building skills
- Confidence working across custody and community settings
- A compassionate, collaborative and reliable approach
Be part of a values-led organisation making a real impact on health inequalities and successful reintegration.
Please note: Prison Vetting is required for this role which is managedby HMPPS & can take between 8-12 weeks to process.
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 -
- 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)
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. 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 .
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 at interview.
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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Hertfordshire RECONNECT Peer Support Worker employer: Forward Trust
The Forward Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering individuals to overcome the challenges of crime and addiction. Located in Hertfordshire, we offer a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing, flexible working arrangements, and comprehensive training and development opportunities. Our commitment to social impact, combined with family-friendly policies and a collaborative environment, makes us an ideal place for passionate professionals looking to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
