Prison Release Recovery Worker (Maternity Cover until 12/08/2026) - Shepherd\'s Bush

We are recruiting for a Prison Release Recovery Worker Maternity Cover Fixed Term Contract Until August 2026. Here at Forward Trust, we deliver a complex range of drug and alcohol services in the unique prison environment. Our support includes providing advice, health and wellbeing, motivational work, clinical services, and a wider range of group work and treatment programmes.

The Forward Trust services which are delivered within prison settings are commissioned by NHS England and are delivered in partnership with primary healthcare providers and HMPPS. Integration and partnership are integral to the work we do. We believe that everyone can live a fulfilling life, whatever their past. Our work in prisons aims to support those affected by drug or alcohol issues to create lasting change and reduce dependency, homelessness, unemployment, and re-offending.

Roles Responsibilities:

• The Substance Misuse Service at HMP Wormwood Scrubs is commissioned to deliver psychosocial interventions within an integrated healthcare framework known as the New Models of Care (NMOC). The team work in close partnership with healthcare services to deliver services across various functions including Early Days in Custody (EDiC), unscheduled care, planned care, release and resettlement.
• The service takes a recovery orientated and trauma informed approach to delivery of holistic health and wellbeing interventions and various treatment programmes for those coming into the prison who experience drugs and/or alcohol misuse issues.
• As Prison Release Recovery Worker you will coordinate and deliver transitional support to service users working as part of the substance misuse service at HMP Wormwood Scrubs.
• You will work collaboratively with prison and healthcare partners to ensure ongoing support and continuity of care for service users leaving the custodial setting and play a key role in the release and resettlement function.
• The Prison Release Recovery Worker co-ordinates transitional support (working both inside and outside of the prison setting) alongside the Recovery Workers based at HMP Wormwood Scrubs.
• In this role you will be expected to support service users prepare and transition back into the community after release for a period of up to 4 weeks ensuring effective continuity of care 'Through the Gate'.
• The Prison Release Recovery Worker will build a network of partnerships with various agencies to provide comprehensive and supportive meet and greet/pick up services escorting service users directly into either residential rehabilitation facilities, introduction to community based treatment, criminal justice or other 'wrap-around' services.
• This will involve lone working and the use of public transport to assist service users to attend community based appointments.
• Working alongside the team of Recovery Workers, the Prison Release Recovery Worker will manage referrals, complete assessments of service user need and risk in preparation for release into the community with an aim of supporting them through the first 24 hours following release, assertively linking them into treatment and support resources, and mutual aid e.g. AA/NA meetings.
• A holistic release plan will be drawn up with the service user (in conjunction with prison based teams such as offender management and probation services) in order that all necessary referrals can be made prior to release and care pathways established for each individual service user.
• The role requires the delivery of interventions that promote and support various treatment pathways, involving both group facilitation and 1:1 working.

The Ideal Candidate:

• A thorough knowledge of Criminal Justice services.
• An understanding of the issues faced by those experiencing substance misuse treatment.
• Experience of providing interventions within a substance misuse service or other relevant healthcare setting.
• Managing own workload effectively to deadlines and targets.
• Experience of Multi-disciplinary working including community based agencies.
• Good communication skills.
• Good organisational and administrative skills, including IT skills.
• The ability to set and hold sound professional boundaries.
• Understanding of and commitment to, the principles of equal opportunity and service user confidentiality.

Please note the role includes an Interim allowance of £3000 reviewed every 6-months, basic salary based on 35 hours would be £25,207.00. This interim scheme will be reviewed in April & October.

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 and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us as an employee, we will offer you the following benefits:

• Flexible working.
• Training and development opportunities.
• Simply Health 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.