At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in rebuilding connections and enhancing wellbeing through coaching and group work.
- Company: Join The Forward Trust, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering change.
- Benefits: Flexible working, training opportunities, wellbeing days, and various employee schemes.
- Other info: Opportunity for personal growth and impactful work in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while shaping a recovery culture in a prison setting.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable individuals and strong relationship-building skills required.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
We are looking for a passionate Connections Coach to join Forward Trust (Full Time, 35 Hours) at HMP Millsike, a rural prison location where access is limited and a full driving licence with use of a car is essential. You will deliver a relationship-led service that helps people rebuild connections, strengthen wellbeing, and move towards lasting desistance. This role sits at the heart of our Connections Service, covering Visits, Family & Relationship support, and Desistance & Wellbeing interventions. You will play a key part in building a strong recovery ecosystem across the prison, working in partnership with health, substance misuse, and prison colleagues to deliver truly integrated support.
What you will be doing:
- Delivering the core Connections offer: visits, family work, and desistance & wellbeing support
- Managing a varied caseload of Prisoner Service Users (PSUs) through 1:1 coaching and group work
- Supporting delivery of the Incentivised Substance Free Living (ISFL) model and recovery wing approach
- Contributing to a whole-prison recovery culture, including designated recovery/ISFL areas
- Chairing community meetings and contributing to multidisciplinary reviews where required
- Developing tailored recovery and desistance plans that build motivation and sustain change
The approach you will support:
You will help deliver the Supporting & Sustaining Recovery (SSR) model, supporting people through:
- Stabilisation and preparation
- Structured recovery development
- Long-term sustainment through ISFL, peer support, employment pathways, and wellbeing interventions
You will also work with innovative recovery resources including:
- Forward Connect - a national recovery community of 1,000+ members
- Group programmes, resilience workshops, and 1:1 interventions
- Lived experience materials, campaigns, and recovery-focused content
What we are looking for:
- Experience working with vulnerable people in a coaching, support, or key working role
- Strong relationship-building, motivational, and communication skills
- Confidence managing caseloads, assessments, and structured plans
- Ability to work collaboratively across health, substance misuse, and prison teams
- Commitment to recovery, desistance, and person-centred support
- Flexibility to work in a rural, secure setting (driving essential)
This is a chance to help shape a whole-prison recovery culture, where people are supported not just to change, but to sustain that change long after release.
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 of the employees who work for us is 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
Connections Coach - HMP Millsike - East Riding of Yorkshire in Hull employer: The Forward Trust
The Forward Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering individuals on their recovery journey from addiction, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment in Rugby. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we provide flexible working options, comprehensive training and development opportunities, and generous benefits including enhanced family support and wellbeing days. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a fulfilling career that values your contributions and promotes personal growth.
