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- Tasks: Support young adults in prison with mental health and substance misuse issues through tailored interventions.
- Company: Join Forward Trust, a leader in delivering drug and alcohol services in prisons.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, travel expenses, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team that empowers young adults and promotes inclusivity.
- Qualifications: Experience in mental health or substance misuse services and working with young people is essential.
- Other info: Weekend work required; enhanced DBS and security vetting necessary.
The predicted salary is between 30082 - 30082 £ per year.
Youth & Inclusion Worker
Location: Surrey
Salary: £30,082 per annum, plus benefits
Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time
Closing Date: 07 Aug 2025
We are recruiting for a Youth and Inclusion Worker in Surrey
Here at Forward Trust, we deliver a complex range of drug and alcohol services in the unique prison environment. Our support includes providing advice, health and wellbeing, motivational work, clinical services, and a wider range of group work and treatment programmes.
The Forward Trust services which are delivered within prison settings are commissioned by NHS England and are delivered in partnership with primary healthcare providers and HMPPS. Integration and partnership are integral to the work we do.
We believe that everyone can live a fulfilling life, whatever their past. Our work in prisons aims to support those affected by drug or alcohol issues to create lasting change and reduce dependency, homelessness, unemployment, and re-offending.
Role Responsibilities
You will be based on site working within a team that have a broad skills mix to deliver combined psychosocial and clinical interventions providing recovery-orientated Health and Wellbeing Services to service users aged 18 and over between:
HMP Downview a female closed category prison located in Sutton and HMP/YOI Bronzefield a dynamic and forward-thinking womens prison which accommodates a diverse and complex population of women remanded & sentenced. Please note travel will be required between sites (reasonable travel expenses paid).
There is a high population of young offenders in HMP/YOI Bronzefield, younger offenders who often find it challenging to engage in adult services as their needs are different. This role will act as a Young Adult and Inclusion Lead who will work with service users aged 18 to 25yrs.
Additionally, there will be a focus for this role to provide support to HMP Downsviews transgender population, ensuring that the service is inclusive. They will ensure that interventions are tailored to meet the needs of this population, providing support and guidance to staff on how to engage this population. They will facilitate regular service user forums to ascertain ways in which we can improve service provision for this population.
Role & Responsibilities
This will involve working directly with those who are detained in the prison who may present low-level mental health needs and/or substance misuse issues. The service operates 7 days a week therefore weekend working will be a requirement on a rota basis.
Pro-actively engaging 18-25-year olds into treatment by providing wing outreach targeting those who need support.
Deliver bespoke interventions designed for young adults e.g., Change up programme – Change Up is an early intervention programme of short one to one and group sessions, designed especially for young adults aged 18-25yrs to help them make their own choices about drugs and alcohol, in a more informed way. The programme combines one to one and group sessions, covering a range of topics including drug and alcohol use and mental health to educate and inform participants around the consequences of their choices.
Facilitate regular Service User engagement forums, to support and empower young adults and LGBTQ+ clients , to make suggestions on how we can improve our service.
Lead in planning and delivering Equality, Diversity & Inclusion activities and promotions for staff and service users
Provide one to one support and manage caseload of young adults and those identifying as LQBTQ+
Work collaboratively with Head of EDI and Inclusion Coordinator to share best practice and learnings on targeted interventions and tailored support for young adults and LGBTQ+ clients in prison settings
Day-to-day managing a caseload, providing appropriate harm reduction advice and guidance, conducting assessments and formulating and delivering care plans ensuring co-production with the service user. You will deliver structured 1:1s, facilitate group-work sessions and perform second signatory duties.
Release planning and ensuring through-care arrangements for transitional support for those leaving the prison and returning to the community.
Accurate and timely recording of data will be a vital part of your role.
All prison-based roles will require enhanced DBS and HMPPS security vetting. Please note this process can take up to 3-6 weeks. All offers are subject to receiving both HMPPS vetting and DBS clearances.
Checks will require you to provide information on the below:
- Yourself (personal information, financial information, police information, criminal history)
- Your family (parents, parents partners, siblings, partner(s), children)
- Co-residents
- Associations that may cause a conflict of interest with your role or the prison service.
- Background checks across police information systems on you, your family and other associates
- Credit reference checks
- Social media and Open-Source checks (these are checks on content about you that\’s publicly available on the internet to ensure there\’s nothing linked to you that could undermine public trust and confidence in the prison service)
- Other government and overseas agency or police checks
The Ideal Candidate
Please see below a list of skills and experience needed for this role
- Experience of working within mental health or substance misuse service
- Experience of working with and/or delivering interventions to young people (18 30)
- Strong IT skills
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for the Forward Trust, please click apply to be redirected to their website to complete your application.
Youth and Inclusion Worker in Sutton employer: The Forward Trust
Contact Detail:
The Forward Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth and Inclusion Worker in Sutton
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by young adults in prison, especially those related to mental health and substance misuse. Understanding these issues will help you demonstrate your empathy and readiness to engage with this demographic during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals already working in the field of youth and inclusion services. Attend relevant workshops or seminars to gain insights and make connections that could be beneficial when applying for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Research Forward Trust’s current initiatives and programmes, particularly those aimed at young adults and LGBTQ+ clients. Being knowledgeable about their work will allow you to speak confidently about how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with equality, diversity, and inclusion in your previous roles. Highlight any specific examples where you've successfully engaged diverse groups, as this will be crucial for the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Youth and Inclusion Worker in Sutton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Youth and Inclusion Worker position. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of young adults and LGBTQ+ clients in prison settings.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in mental health or substance misuse services, particularly with young people aged 18-30. Emphasise any previous roles that involved delivering interventions or support in similar environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for supporting young adults and your understanding of the challenges they face. Mention specific programmes or initiatives you have been involved in that align with the role's focus on inclusion and diversity.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, be sure to highlight strong IT skills and any experience you have with data recording and management, as these are crucial for the role. Provide examples of how you've used these skills in past positions.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Forward Trust
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the specific responsibilities of a Youth and Inclusion Worker. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with the role, especially in working with young adults and those with mental health or substance misuse issues.
✨Showcase Your Experience with Young People
Highlight any previous experience you have working with young people, particularly in challenging environments. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've engaged and supported this demographic, as well as any tailored interventions you've implemented.
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Inclusion
Since the role involves working with diverse populations, including LGBTQ+ individuals, it's crucial to demonstrate your understanding and commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Prepare to discuss how you would ensure that your approach is inclusive and sensitive to the needs of all service users.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle sensitive situations. Think about potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would address them, particularly in relation to engaging young adults in treatment.
