At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young adults in prisons, delivering tailored interventions and promoting inclusive services.
- 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 with a commitment to inclusivity and personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives and champion equality and inclusion.
- Qualifications: Experience in supporting individuals with complex needs and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30082 - 30082 £ per year.
We're looking for a passionate and proactive Youth & Inclusion Worker to join our Health & Wellbeing team, working full-time (35 hours per week) across HMP Downview and HMP/YOI Bronzefield. You'll be based on-site across both women's prisons, supporting young adults and championing inclusive services that help people build healthier, more positive futures. This is a unique opportunity to work with women aged 18-25 delivering tailored interventions that empower individuals, improve engagement and promote recovery.
What you'll be doing:
- Build positive relationships with young adults through outreach and engagement.
- Deliver tailored one-to-one and group interventions, including the Change Up programme.
- Manage a caseload, completing assessments, care plans and release planning.
- Lead service user forums, ensuring young adults and LGBTQ+ individuals have a voice in shaping services.
- Champion Equality, Diversity & Inclusion across both sites through events, awareness activities and staff support.
- Work closely with clinical teams and partner agencies to deliver person-centred care.
- Maintain accurate records and contribute to high-quality, safe service delivery.
What we're looking for:
- Experience supporting people with substance misuse, mental health or complex needs.
- A passion for engaging young adults and promoting inclusive practice.
- Confidence delivering both one-to-one and group interventions.
- Excellent communication, organisation and relationship-building skills.
- A collaborative, compassionate and solution-focused approach.
If you're ready to make a lasting impact by supporting young adults and creating more inclusive services, 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.
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)
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.
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.
Youth & Inclusion Worker - HMP Downview & HMP Bronzefield - Sutton employer: The Forward Trust
The Forward Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering individuals to overcome challenges and achieve meaningful employment. Located in Medway and Gravesham, we foster a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing, offering flexible working arrangements, comprehensive training, and professional development opportunities. Join us to lead a passionate team, make a real difference in the community, and enjoy generous benefits including annual leave, a contributory pension scheme, and wellbeing days.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth & Inclusion Worker - HMP Downview & HMP Bronzefield - 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 Youth & Inclusion Worker - HMP Downview & HMP Bronzefield - 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.
