At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in rebuilding connections and enhancing wellbeing through coaching and group work.
- Company: Join Forward Trust, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering change.
- Benefits: Flexible working, training opportunities, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Work in a supportive environment with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and help shape a recovery culture.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable individuals and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 26000 - 26000 £ per year.
Location: East Riding of Yorkshire
Salary: £26,000 per annum
About The Role
We’re looking for a passionate Connections Coach to join Forward Trust (Full Time, 35 Hours) at HMP Millsike, a rural prison location where access is limited and a full driving licence with use of a car is essential. You’ll deliver a relationship-led service that helps people rebuild connections, strengthen wellbeing, and move towards lasting desistance.
This role sits at the heart of our Connections Service, covering Visits, Family & Relationship support, and Desistance & Wellbeing interventions. You’ll play a key part in building a strong recovery ecosystem across the prison, working in partnership with health, substance misuse, and prison colleagues to deliver truly integrated support.
What you’ll be doing
- Delivering the core Connections offer: visits, family work, and desistance & wellbeing support
- Managing a varied caseload of Prisoner Service Users (PSUs) through 1:1 coaching and group work
- Supporting delivery of the Incentivised Substance Free Living (ISFL) model and recovery wing approach
- Contributing to a whole-prison recovery culture, including designated recovery/ISFL areas
- Chairing community meetings and contributing to multidisciplinary reviews where required
- Developing tailored recovery and desistance plans that build motivation and sustain change
The approach you’ll support
You’ll help deliver the Supporting & Sustaining Recovery (SSR) model, supporting people through:
- Stabilisation and preparation
- Structured recovery development
- Long-term sustainment through ISFL, peer support, employment pathways, and wellbeing interventions
You’ll also work with innovative recovery resources including:
- Forward Connect – a national recovery community of 1,000+ members
- Group programmes, resilience workshops, and 1:1 interventions
- Lived experience materials, campaigns, and recovery-focused content
What we’re looking for
- Experience working with vulnerable people in a coaching, support, or key working role
- Strong relationship-building, motivational, and communication skills
- Confidence managing caseloads, assessments, and structured plans
- Ability to work collaboratively across health, substance misuse, and prison teams
- Commitment to recovery, desistance, and person-centred support
- Flexibility to work in a rural, secure setting (driving essential)
This is a chance to help shape a whole-prison recovery culture, where people are supported not just to change, but to sustain that change long after release.
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
- 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)
Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Forward Trust, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application.
Connections Coach - HMP Millsike in York 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 Connections Coach - HMP Millsike in York
✨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 Connections Coach - HMP Millsike in York
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.
