At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families in rebuilding relationships and creating positive futures within a prison setting.
- Company: Join The Forward Trust, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering change.
- Benefits: Flexible working, training opportunities, wellbeing days, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Diverse team culture and commitment to inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and support meaningful change.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable groups and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 12000 - 12000 £ per year.
Are you passionate about helping people rebuild relationships, strengthen family connections and create positive futures? We are looking for a Family Support Practitioner to join our Family Support and Specialist Programmes team at HMP Aylesbury. This is a part-time role (17.5 hours per week), offering a meaningful opportunity to support individuals and families both within the prison setting and in the local community.
In this role, you'll help clients and their families build healthier, more stable relationships, while supporting recovery, rehabilitation and long-term positive change. You'll deliver tailored 1:1 support, facilitate group programmes, and work closely with partner agencies to ensure a joined-up, holistic approach.
What you'll be doing:
- Delivering 1:1 support face-to-face, online and by phone
- Facilitating family-focused interventions and group work (e.g. parenting and relationships programmes)
- Supporting clients to understand relationships in the context of addiction, offending and mental health
- Carrying out assessments and developing collaborative support plans
- Facilitating family meetings and supporting family visits where appropriate
- Working closely with internal teams and external partners to coordinate care
- Signposting to relevant services and maintaining accurate case records
What we're looking for:
- Experience supporting individuals, families or vulnerable groups
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Confidence delivering structured 1:1 and group interventions
- Understanding of safeguarding and professional boundaries
- A compassionate, proactive and non-judgemental approach
- Ability to work independently while contributing to a wider team
This is a chance to make a real difference to family connections and long-term outcomes for people affected by complex needs. If you're passionate about relationship-focused support and meaningful change, we'd love to hear from you.
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.
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 of the employees who work for us are also important.
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.
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, please let us know.
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 with you at interview. If successful in your application, you will be required to provide eligibility to work evidence in line with the Eligibility to Work in the UK requirements.
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.
Family Support Practitioner - HMP Aylesbury - Part Time - Buckinghamshire employer: The Forward Trust
Contact Detail:
The Forward Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Support Practitioner - HMP Aylesbury - Part Time - Buckinghamshire
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field of family support or related areas. Attend local events, workshops, or even online webinars. You never know who might have a lead on a job or can give you insider tips!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your pitch! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or colleagues, be ready to share your passion for supporting families and your relevant experience. A confident, engaging conversation can leave a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t shy away from volunteering! Getting involved with local charities or organisations that focus on family support can boost your CV and show your commitment to the cause. Plus, it’s a great way to meet people in the industry.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals like you. Keep an eye on our job listings and don’t hesitate to submit your application directly. It’s the best way to ensure we see your enthusiasm for the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Family Support Practitioner - HMP Aylesbury - Part Time - Buckinghamshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for helping people shine through. We want to see how much you care about rebuilding relationships and supporting families, so share your personal experiences or motivations that drive you to apply for this role.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight relevant experience and skills that match the job description. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've supported individuals or families in the past, so don’t hold back on those details!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read, so make sure your key points stand out.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised on our end.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Forward Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a Family Support Practitioner inside and outside the prison setting. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, such as delivering 1:1 support and facilitating group programmes. This will help you answer questions confidently and show your genuine interest in the position.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience supporting individuals and families, especially those from vulnerable backgrounds. Think of specific examples where you've demonstrated strong interpersonal skills or delivered structured interventions. This will highlight your suitability for the role and your ability to connect with clients.
✨Emphasise Compassion and Understanding
In this role, a compassionate and non-judgemental approach is crucial. Be ready to share how you’ve handled sensitive situations in the past, particularly regarding addiction, offending, or mental health. This will demonstrate that you can create a safe space for clients to rebuild their relationships.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, the types of programmes you’ll be facilitating, or how success is measured in this role. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the organisation aligns with your values.