At a Glance
- Tasks: Welcome and support visitors at the prison, ensuring a calm and respectful environment.
- Company: Join Forward Trust, a social enterprise dedicated to helping individuals break cycles of crime and addiction.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, training opportunities, and 25+ days annual leave with additional perks.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive and compassionate team.
- Qualifications: No specific qualifications required; just a passion for helping others and strong organisational skills.
- Other info: Evening and weekend shifts are part of the role; DBS check required.
The predicted salary is between 18400 - 25800 £ per year.
Visits Receptionist – East Riding of Yorkshire
Permanent£21,840
Make a Meaningful Impact Every Day
Are you passionate about supporting families and individuals during challenging times? Do you thrive in a role that blends compassion, organisation, and teamwork? Forward Trust is seeking a dedicated Prison Visits Centre Reception Worker to join our dynamic Connections Team at HMP Millsike.
This is a pivotal role in delivering our core Connections Services, which include:
- Connections Visits
- Family and Relationship Support
- Health, Wellbeing & Substance Misuse Services
As the first point of contact for visitors to the prison, you’ll help create a welcoming and respectful environment, easing the emotional stress of visits while ensuring security and operational efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
- Greet and register visitors, ensuring punctuality and accurate documentation
- Create a calm, supportive reception environment to reduce visitor anxiety
- Provide practical advice, emotional support, and signposting to relevant services
- Collaborate with Family & Relationship Practitioners and external agencies
- Maintain confidentiality and uphold security protocols
- Manage the Visits Helpline and respond to enquiries promptly
- Keep the reception area clean, organised, and stocked with resources
- Serve refreshments and assist with special visits or family events
Partnership & Collaboration
- Work closely with prison security staff to ensure safe and smooth visits
- Support multi-disciplinary team meetings and safeguarding discussions
- Liaise with external agencies to provide holistic support to visitors
Continuous Improvement & Safeguarding
- Collect visitor feedback to improve service delivery
- Monitor visitor flow and report operational issues
- Stay up-to-date through training and development
- Ensure all activities comply with safeguarding and security policies
Administration & Flexibility
- Maintain accurate visitor logs and incident reports
- Handle calls and enquiries related to visits
- Support a clean, welcoming reception space
- Flexibility required, including evenings and weekends
Why Join Us?
At Forward Trust, we believe in second chances and strong connections. You’ll be part of a team that makes a real difference in the lives of prisoners and their families—offering support, dignity, and hope.
This position will include evening and weekend working
This job is subject to enhanced DBS and Prison Vetting, a start date will not be confirmed until this has been completed
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
- 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)
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.
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 Forward’s commitment to being an inclusive employer and our current EDI strategy click here .
Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work
We recognise the importance of safeguarding, 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.
Visits Receptionist - East Riding of Yorkshire employer: The Forward Trust
Contact Detail:
The Forward Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Visits Receptionist - East Riding of Yorkshire
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the core services offered by Forward Trust, especially those related to family and relationship support. Understanding these services will help you demonstrate your passion for supporting families during challenging times in your conversations.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any previous experience you have in customer service or roles that require compassion and organisation. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've created a welcoming environment or supported individuals in stressful situations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your ability to work collaboratively with various teams, including security staff and external agencies. Think of instances where teamwork led to successful outcomes, as this role heavily relies on partnership and collaboration.
✨Tip Number 4
Show your commitment to continuous improvement and safeguarding by being aware of current best practices in visitor management and emotional support. This knowledge will set you apart and demonstrate your dedication to enhancing the visitor experience.
We think you need these skills to ace Visits Receptionist - East Riding of Yorkshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the key responsibilities and required skills. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of a Visits Receptionist.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for supporting families and individuals. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your compassion, organisational skills, and ability to work in a team.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV, emphasise any previous roles that involved customer service, emotional support, or working in a challenging environment. Mention any experience with confidentiality and security protocols, as these are crucial for this position.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which is essential for a role in a reception setting.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Forward Trust
✨Show Your Compassion
As a Visits Receptionist, you'll be the first point of contact for visitors. Make sure to express your passion for supporting families and individuals during challenging times. Share any relevant experiences that demonstrate your empathy and understanding.
✨Highlight Your Organisational Skills
This role requires excellent organisational abilities. Be prepared to discuss how you manage multiple tasks, such as greeting visitors, maintaining logs, and ensuring the reception area is tidy. Provide examples of how you've successfully handled similar responsibilities in the past.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork
Collaboration is key in this position. Talk about your experience working with diverse teams, especially in high-pressure environments. Highlight any instances where you've worked closely with security staff or external agencies to ensure smooth operations.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle difficult situations, such as managing visitor anxiety or responding to enquiries. Think of specific scenarios from your past where you successfully navigated challenges, and be ready to share those stories.