At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adults in prison to improve their health and wellbeing through peer support.
- Company: Join The Forward Trust, a social enterprise dedicated to breaking cycles of crime and addiction.
- Benefits: Flexible working, enhanced family support, training opportunities, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by empowering others to take charge of their health and wellbeing.
- Qualifications: Passion for helping others, strong communication skills, and ability to work collaboratively.
The predicted salary is between 38140 - 46616 £ per year.
Regional Peer Co-ordinator - Sutton
Permanent16,200 We are looking for a Peer Coordinator to join our Integrated Substance Misuse Service, working within an integrated healthcare framework to support adults aged 18 and over who use drugs and/or alcohol.
The Integrated Substance Misuse Service provides a combination of clinical, psychosocial substance misuse, health and wellbeing interventions and accredited treatment programmes for people entering prison who have been identified as having an alcohol or drug problem.
As a Peer Coordinator, you will play an important role in supporting the service and the prison to develop a strong peer support network, helping service users to take greater responsibility for their health and wellbeing.
What You'll Be Doing
• As a Peer Coordinator, you will
- Champion the Integrated Substance Misuse Service within the prison.
- Support and work alongside the wider Substance Misuse Services team.
- Train and support service users to become Peer Supporters.
- Develop and support peer-led interventions across all wings of the prison.
- Support Peer Supporters to engage with and assist other service users.
- Develop and support Health & Wellbeing Champions within the prison.
- Encourage Health & Wellbeing Champions to motivate and support their peers to take greater responsibility for their health and wellbeing.
- Support Champions to listen to and understand the issues and concerns raised by other service users.
- Signpost service users to relevant health, wellbeing and support services within the prison.
- Support Health & Wellbeing Champions to provide interventions to their peers, where agreed with the prison.
- Build and strengthen links between the Integrated Substance Misuse Service and service users within the prison.
- Promote positive engagement with health, wellbeing and substance misuse services.
- Work collaboratively with prison staff, colleagues and other services to ensure effective support for service users.
- Work across multiple prison sites, which may include HMP High Down and HMP Downview.
- Travel between prison sites as required.
- Work flexibly, including some evening and weekend shifts on a rota basis, with reasonable notice.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for someone who is
- Passionate about supporting people to improve their health and wellbeing.
- Able to build positive and professional relationships with service users.
- A confident communicator who can engage and motivate others.
- Able to encourage individuals to take greater responsibility for their health and wellbeing.
- Comfortable supporting and developing others through training and peer support.
- Able to work effectively with people from a range of backgrounds and experiences.
- Organised and able to coordinate peer support activities across the prison.
- Able to work collaboratively as part of a wider integrated team.
- Committed to promoting positive health and wellbeing within a prison environment.
- Able to identify appropriate services and support individuals to access them through effective signposting.
- Flexible and adaptable to the needs of the service.
- Willing and able to travel between prison sites when required.
- Available to work occasional evening and weekend shifts as part of a rota.
The Peer Coordinator role is vital in strengthening the connection between the Integrated Substance Misuse Service and service users within the prison.
By developing Peer Supporters and Health & Wellbeing Champions, you will help create opportunities for service users to support one another, share concerns, access appropriate services and take greater responsibility for their health and wellbeing while in custody.
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 an employee, we will offer you the following benefits -
- Flexible working
- Support for Families
We support our employees through every stage of family life by offering enhanced maternity and paternity pay for eligible employees who have completed 26 weeks' continuous service, alongside family-friendly policies and a supportive, inclusive workplace.
If you'd like more information about our family-friendly benefits, please contact our Recruitment Team at
- 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 click here
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.
Regional Peer Co-ordinator - Sutton 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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Peer Co-ordinator - Sutton
✨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 The Forward Trust.
✨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 The Forward Trust!
✨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 The Forward Trust, 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 The Forward Trust 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 Regional Peer Co-ordinator - Sutton
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 The Forward Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Forward Trust! 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 The Forward Trust
✨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.
