RECONNECT Peer worker- Bedfordshire & Milton Keynes - Bedfordshire

Are you passionate about supporting people to make positive changes and build a healthier, more stable future? Do you have lived experience of the criminal justice system, substance misuse, physical or mental health, or other relevant life experiences? If so, we would love to hear from you. The Forward Trust is looking for a compassionate, motivated and resilient RECONNECT Support Worker to join our NHS-commissioned service supporting people before and after release from prison. This is an exciting opportunity to use your skills, experience and understanding to help people navigate the challenges of returning to the community and connect with the support they need.

About RECONNECT

RECONNECT is designed to help people leaving prison access and maintain the health, wellbeing and community support they need. You will work with people across HMP Bedford, HMP Woodhill, Yarl's Wood IRC and the wider Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire community. You will support individuals with a range of needs, including:

• Physical and mental health
• Substance misuse
• General health and wellbeing
• Accessing GPs and healthcare services
• Connecting with community organisations
• Ongoing support following release
• Reintegration into the community

You will begin working with people before release and continue to support them for up to six months after they return to the community.

What You'll Be Doing

As a RECONNECT Support Worker, you will:

• Manage referrals and carry out comprehensive health and wellbeing assessments.
• Work with each person to develop an individualised care and support plan.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with service users and provide ongoing support.
• Manage a busy and varied caseload.
• Help people prepare for release and successfully reintegrate into the community.
• Support service users to access GPs, healthcare providers and other community services.
• Provide practical advice, guidance and signposting based on individual needs.
• Maintain regular contact with service users for up to six months following release.
• Ensure people are connected with appropriate services before they leave prison.
• Make referrals to the Forward Trust Meet and Greet service and support Meet at the Gate releases where appropriate.
• Develop strong working relationships with prisons, healthcare providers, community organisations and other key partners.
• Support the recruitment and training of prison peer supporters.
• Maintain accurate and professional case records, assessments, care plans and risk assessments.
• Work closely with colleagues to share best practice and ensure risks are identified and managed appropriately.
• Contribute to delivering a safe, effective and person-centred service.

What We're Looking For

Most importantly, we're looking for someone who genuinely cares about people and wants to make a difference. You will ideally have:

• Relevant lived experience of the criminal justice system, substance misuse, physical or mental health, or other relevant experiences.
• A non-judgemental and compassionate approach.
• The ability to build trust and positive relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent communication and listening skills.
• The ability to support people who may have complex or multiple needs.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage a busy caseload.
• Strong administrative skills and attention to detail.
• The ability to complete clear and accurate case notes, assessments and support plans.
• An understanding of confidentiality, safeguarding and risk management.
• The ability to work independently while also being a strong team player.
• The confidence to work collaboratively with external agencies and professionals.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• A genuine desire to help people overcome barriers and achieve positive change.

At The Forward Trust, we recognise the unique value that lived experience can bring to our services. We actively encourage applications from people who have experience of the criminal justice system, substance misuse, physical or mental health challenges, or other relevant life experiences. Your experiences can help you understand the people we support, build authentic relationships and provide support that is compassionate, realistic and free from judgement. You don't need to have had a straightforward journey to make a difference to someone else's. Your experience could be your greatest strength. If you're compassionate, resilient, motivated and believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to make a fresh start, we'd love to hear from you.

Please note 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. 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.

Benefits

• Flexible working
• Support for Families
• 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 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. Please note that remote roles may require occasional travel for site visits, training and meetings.

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. Some of our roles may require a minimum period of sustained recovery (normally around 3 years). This is assessed on a case-by-case basis, and exceptions may be considered depending on the role and individual circumstances.

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 Forwards commitment to being an inclusive employer and our current EDI strategy, please contact us.

We want our recruitment process to be accessible to everyone. If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage, 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.