At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals transitioning from prison to community with person-centred care and coaching.
- Company: Join Rethink Mental Illness, a leader in mental health support.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 25 days annual leave, wellbeing support, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with strong commitment to diversity and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while promoting equality and inclusion.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care and experience supporting vulnerable individuals.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Location: HMP Millsike
Working hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Rethink Mental Illness works alongside Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) and Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust to deliver an integrated stepped care mental health service within HMP Millsike. The team comprises a range of highly skilled professionals who work collaboratively to provide the highest quality of care for those with mental health needs within the prison.
Purpose of the Role
To provide person-centred support for individuals with health vulnerabilities transitioning from prison to the community, ensuring continuity of care and effective release planning. The role focuses on reconnecting individuals with health services, improving wellbeing, reducing health inequalities, and supporting a sustainable reduction in reoffending through coaching-based interventions and collaborative working with partner agencies.
What I will do and achieve:
- Delivering Person-Centred Support
- Provide holistic care navigation to individuals before and after release from prison, ensuring continuity of care and effective, well-planned transitions into the community.
- Complete initial screenings, care mapping assessments, and structured release plans using a tailored, person-centred approach.
- Deliver flexible 1:1 and group-based support using a coaching framework to promote independence, resilience, and long-term wellbeing.
- Improving Health and Reducing Reoffending
- Reconnect individuals with appropriate health and community services, reducing health inequalities and supporting sustained recovery.
- Prevent deterioration in physical and mental health by enabling access to ongoing care and promoting self-management.
- Contribute to reducing reoffending by supporting stability, engagement, and positive lifestyle changes.
- Collaborative and Multi-Agency Working
- Work closely with prison staff, healthcare providers, and statutory and non-statutory agencies to coordinate safe and effective release planning.
- Build and maintain strong professional relationships, representing both the service and service users in multi-disciplinary settings.
- Support health promotion initiatives and joint working to improve service reach and impact.
- Quality, Performance and Accountability
- Maintain accurate, timely, and professional clinical records in line with organisational and national requirements.
- Manage a high-volume caseload, balancing competing demands while meeting service targets and deadlines.
- Work autonomously with strong organisational skills, adapting to a fast-paced and evolving environment.
- Professional Standards and Development
- Uphold safeguarding, confidentiality, and professional boundaries at all times, modelling a proactive and solution-focused approach.
- Engage fully in supervision, reflective practice, and ongoing training to continuously improve service delivery.
- Demonstrate commitment, motivation, and resilience in delivering high-quality support within a challenging but rewarding area of work.
Essential Skills and Experience:
- NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in a relevant area such as Health and Social Care.
- Experience supporting vulnerable individuals to set and achieve goals through 1:1 and group interventions.
- Working knowledge of mental health, substance misuse, housing, social care, and the criminal justice system.
- Experience delivering structured, time-limited support.
- Strong assessment skills, including risk management and support planning.
- Passionate about supporting individuals leaving the criminal justice system, promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Calm, patient, and respectful, with the ability to manage challenging situations and maintain professional boundaries.
- Confident communicator with strong interpersonal and written skills.
- Excellent time management and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise workload and adapt to changing demands.
- Competent in IT systems, including Microsoft Office and clinical databases.
- Committed to ongoing professional development, reflective practice, and using supervision effectively.
Why join Rethink Mental Illness?
We believe people do their best work when they feel supported, valued and able to be themselves. You'll benefit from:
- An inclusive culture, with colleague-led staff networks for Disability & Neurodiversity, Race & Ethnicity, LGBTQIA+, Gender Equality and Menopause.
- Flexible working and 25 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays and your birthday off), with the option to buy or sell leave.
- Wellbeing support including our Wellbeing Hub, Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Champions and Unmind.
- Learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career.
- Financial and family benefits including a contributory pension, enhanced family leave and travel schemes.
- Recognition and rewards including discounts, cashback offers and a Blue Light Card.
- Referral bonus where you can earn up to £300 for introducing someone to our team.
Our commitment to inclusion
We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. We're also committed to becoming a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider supported by a multi-year equity, diversity and inclusion programme of work. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and want everyone to have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and experience. If you need reasonable adjustments during recruitment or when in your role, please let us know and we will work with you to understand what support you need.
Care Navigator - HMP Millsike employer: Spinx
Rethink Mental Illness is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. Located at HMP Millsike, the role of Care Navigator provides meaningful opportunities to make a real difference in the lives of individuals transitioning from prison to the community, with comprehensive benefits including flexible working, extensive learning and development options, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Care Navigator - HMP Millsike
✨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 Spinx.
✨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 Spinx!
✨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 Spinx, 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 Spinx 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 Care Navigator - HMP Millsike
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 Spinx:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Spinx! 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 Spinx
✨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.
