At a Glance
- Tasks: Empower individuals in recovery by coordinating peer support networks and promoting wellbeing.
- Company: Join The Forward Trust, a social enterprise dedicated to breaking cycles of crime and addiction.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, training opportunities, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and a chance to create positive change every day.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Passion for helping others, strong communication skills, and experience in health or recovery settings.
The predicted salary is between 26000 - 26000 £ per year.
Location: Hertfordshire
Salary: £26,000 per annum
Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time
Are you passionate about empowering people to make positive changes in their lives? We're looking for a motivated and compassionate Peer Support Coordinator to join our Integrated Substance Misuse Service at HMP The Mount. This is a full-time role working 35 hours per week, where you'll play a key role in supporting individuals affected by drug and alcohol use, helping to develop peer-led support networks that promote recovery, wellbeing, and positive outcomes across the prison community.
What You'll Be Doing
- Working as part of an integrated healthcare team, you will:
- Recruit, train and support Peer Supporters and Health & Wellbeing Champions
- Coordinate and oversee peer-led interventions across the prison
- Build positive relationships with service users and support their recovery journey
- Promote health, wellbeing and resilience through person-centred approaches
- Work closely with prison staff and healthcare colleagues to improve service delivery
- Champion the service, increase engagement, and raise awareness throughout the prison
- Monitor outcomes, maintain accurate records, and contribute to service improvement
What We're Looking For
- Passion for supporting people to achieve positive change
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- Ability to motivate, engage and inspire others
- Strong organisational and administrative skills
- Experience working in health, wellbeing, recovery, criminal justice or a related environment
- Confidence working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
- A proactive approach with the ability to manage competing priorities
- Commitment to promoting recovery, wellbeing and person-centred support
This is an opportunity to make a genuine difference by helping individuals build confidence, develop new skills, and support others on their recovery journey. Every day brings the chance to create positive change and improve lives.
All prison-based roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks and HMPPS security vetting. These checks can take up to 5 months to complete. Any offer of employment will be conditional upon the successful completion of both checks. Please note if you have lived overseas within the last 5 years then checks may take longer.
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
- 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.
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.
Peer Support Coordinator - HMP The Mount in Watford employer: Forward Trust
The Forward Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering individuals to overcome the challenges of addiction and crime, fostering a supportive and compassionate work environment at HMP The Mount in Hertfordshire. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, we offer flexible working arrangements, extensive training and development opportunities, and a range of benefits including generous annual leave and a contributory pension scheme. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a culture that values personal growth and community engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Peer Support Coordinator - HMP The Mount in Watford
✨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 Peer Support Coordinator - HMP The Mount in Watford
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.
