At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative rehabilitation services and support prisoners in rebuilding lives.
- Company: Join The Forward Trust at HMP Millsike, the UK's newest prison.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days leave, flexible working, and health schemes.
- Other info: Opportunity for impactful leadership in a dynamic and supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in rehabilitation and recovery for individuals in the justice system.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in complex environments and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 52000 - 65000 £ per year.
Red Snapper Recruitment are recruiting for a Head of Connections on behalf of The Forward Trust.
This is an exceptional opportunity to join the leadership team at HMP Millsike, the UK's newest prison, and play a pivotal role in delivering an innovative rehabilitation model centred around recovery, desistance and meaningful human connection.
The successful candidate will join both the prison's Senior Leadership Team and The Forward Trust's Senior Leadership Team, leading the delivery of transformational services that support prisoners to rebuild relationships, overcome addiction, reduce reoffending and prepare for successful resettlement into the community.
About the role
As Head of Connections, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across a multidisciplinary service of approximately 30 staff delivering:
- Family and Relationships Services
- Drug Strategy
- Visits and Visitors Centre
- The innovative More Than My Past programme and Incentivised Substance Free Living (ISFL) Houseblock
Working alongside Mitie, People Plus and HMP Millsike leadership, you will shape strategy, drive innovation and ensure outstanding contractual performance while creating an environment where rehabilitation and recovery can thrive.
- The post offers
- 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (rising with service)
- Employer pension contributions
- Flexible working opportunities where operationally appropriate
- Blue Light Card
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Season Ticket Loan
- Electric Car Scheme
- Health Cashback Scheme
- Ongoing learning and leadership development
- Overview of the Role
The Head of Connections is responsible for the strategic leadership and operational management of a flagship rehabilitation service within HMP Millsike.
This includes ownership of the establishment's Drug Strategy, Family Strategy and Visits Operating Procedures whilst leading innovative interventions that strengthen family relationships, promote recovery and support long-term desistance from crime.
This is a highly visible leadership position requiring exceptional stakeholder management, strategic thinking and the ability to inspire multidisciplinary teams whilst delivering outstanding contractual performance in a complex custodial environment.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team delivering rehabilitation and recovery services across the prison.
- Provide strategic leadership for Family Services, Drug Strategy, Visits and the More Than My Past programme.
- Lead the operation of the 240-bed Incentivised Substance Free Living (ISFL) Houseblock.
- Develop and maintain effective partnerships with HMP Millsike, Mitie, People Plus and external stakeholders.
- Ensure contractual compliance, performance targets and governance standards are consistently achieved.
- Manage significant budgets and resources effectively.
- Produce high-quality performance, impact and contract reports using data to drive service improvement.
- Lead service innovation and contribute to the future development of the Connections model.
- Promote lived experience and co-production throughout service delivery.
- Create a positive culture focused on rehabilitation, recovery and reducing reoffending.
Person Specification
Applicants should be able to demonstrate
- Significant senior leadership experience within a custodial or similarly complex regulated environment.
- Experience managing contractual service delivery within Criminal Justice.
- Experience managing substantial budgets and delivering against financial targets.
- Strong operational leadership experience within highly regulated, inspected services.
- Excellent programme, project and operational management skills.
- Outstanding stakeholder engagement and partnership-building abilities.
- Experience leading high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong analytical skills with experience producing impact and performance reports.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Knowledge of desistance, rehabilitation and recovery approaches.
- Understanding of Narrative Therapy or Narrative approaches would be highly advantageous.
Due to the nature of this role, candidates should be comfortable working within a prison environment and be committed to improving outcomes for people involved in the criminal justice system.
Due to the high volume of applications received, if you do not hear from us within 7 working days, your application has been unsuccessful.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit an up-to-date CV together with a supporting statement (maximum two pages) demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria for the role.
Your supporting statement should provide clear examples of your relevant leadership experience, the impact you have made, and explain why you are interested in becoming the next Head of Connections at HMP Millsike.
Application deadline
Sunday 26th July at 11:59pm.
Early applications are encouraged as interviews will be arranged shortly after the closing date.
The Red Snapper Recruitment Group is an equal opportunities employer.
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Head of Rehabilitation Services in York employer: Red Snapper Recruitment | Justice
The Forward Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals within the prison system. Located at HMP Millsike in York, we foster a collaborative and supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and innovation in rehabilitation services. With competitive salaries and a commitment to professional development, we empower our team to lead transformative change while enjoying a fulfilling career in a vital sector.
Contact Details:
Red Snapper Recruitment | Justice Recruitment Team
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