Mentor for Ex-Offenders

This is a full-time role, working on the HACRO TurnAround project. The key role of the Mentor is to provide relevant life-skills support to participants throughout their journey to becoming productive and fulfilled members of the community. The aim is to reduce re-offending by helping participants overcome barriers to learning and to work. These positions require experience of working with vulnerable and challenging people and post holders are expected to manage their own case load and plan, deliver and measure interventions to support the participants with whom they work. The role is based at various activity venues in Hertfordshire, with the mentor's primary workspace being these locations where the participants attend activities and where in person one to one sessions are delivered. This is a mobile on the road mentoring role, working across multiple sites.

Main areas of responsibility:

• Liaise with the referral team to gather information/data known to date.
• Conduct a detailed initial assessment of participants' needs.
• Provide 1:1 dedicated support (face to face, online, telephone, teams etc.)
• Implement strategies and support participants in self-esteem and confidence-building activities.
• Listen to and help participants resolve a range of issues that are creating barriers.
• Assisting the team leader with referrals and setting up new activities.
• Draw up agreed action plans with participants, outline the aims of the mentoring, and monitor their progress against these goals.
• Accompany participants to engagement sessions, which will require picking up and dropping off participants to the daily activities, following all the relevant policies and procedures accordingly.
• Liaise with providers/partners within and beyond the project to identify suitable engagement sessions, suitable learning activities or work experience opportunities.
• Monitor attendance and punctuality of participants onto engagement sessions or learning activities.
• Introduce participants to other partners e.g. to Interventions Alliance when participant is work-ready.
• Attend peer supervision and good practice workshops.
• Work to ensure the highest quality outcomes for participants.
• Help with transition activities for participants moving within and beyond the remit of the project.
• Liaise with and provide guidance to other partners in meeting the needs of the participants.
• Keep adequate records of progression and journey throughout the project.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare written reports and evaluations.
• To maintain regular consistent contact and communication with the participants to support engagement, participation and positive individual outcomes.
• Maintain clear case records for the purpose of continuity of casework, information retrieval, statistical monitoring and report preparation.

The post holder is expected to accept any reasonable alterations that may be necessary.

Person Specification:

Experience:

• Experience of supporting adults who have been in the criminal justice system or those with mental health/substance misuse/wellness issues.
• Good understanding/experience of the range of issues faced by individuals experiencing barriers to learning and employment - especially ex-offenders.
• Experience of liaising and joint working with other agencies and professionals.
• Life experience and confidence in relating to people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
• Experience of liaising with various agencies or organisations such as employers, local education providers, services supporting ex-offenders.
• An understanding of the justice system in the UK.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to engage with service users to develop and sustain supportive and trusting relationships.
• Good verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate sensitively to others.
• Good written communication skills.
• Understanding of activities, work experience and educational training which will provide constructive and therapeutic use of time for participants.
• Ability to work in a calm, patient and tolerant manner at a pace appropriate to the needs of the individual.
• Ability to demonstrate respect for difference and diversity and to promote these values among clients.
• Ability to advocate and negotiate on behalf of clients.
• Accurate record keeping and data input skills/good literacy and ICT skills.
• Ability to record information to enable assessment of need, maintenance and evaluation.
• Ability to work flexibly and prioritise workload.
• To be able to adapt and remain flexible in relation to activities, responding appropriately to short notice changes while maintaining participant engagement and safety.
• Good planning and organisational skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and be adaptable to tasks as required and to demonstrate a pro-active approach to problem solving.
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a project team.
• Full driving licence – and access to own car to travel independently.

Criminal Background Check:

Safeguarding children and adults is of utmost importance to HACRO. The charity requires all Turn Around project staff to abide by legislation and best practice. This role has been identified as requiring an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Services (DBS) check. You must therefore ensure that any relevant criminal record check application forms are completed and returned as requested, as this is deemed a contractual requirement of employment. In addition, you consent to allow HACRO to retain a copy of the disclosure certificate within your personal file. You will be required to maintain registration with the DBS Update Service whilst employed by HACRO. In line with the requirements of the Update Service you will be required to maintain your personal information. However, lived experience as an offender will not exclude participants from this role and could even be an asset. If you fail to disclose any caution, reprimand or conviction which is later identified on your criminal background check you will be subject to disciplinary action and HACRO has the right to suspend and ultimately dismiss you. HACRO will review your criminal background record periodically during your employment to identify any changes in circumstances that may be detrimental to your employment. Please note that additional information referring to the check is in the guidance notes to the application form. If you are invited to an interview, you will receive more information.

Equality and Diversity:

HACRO is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity which is integral to everything we do. It will inform every area of activity; from the way we provide services to the way we employ our staff.

Health and Safety:

It will be the duty of every employee while at work to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of other people who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: £15.60 per hour

Benefits: Work from home

Work Location: In person