At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals leaving prison by delivering tailored health and wellbeing services.
- Company: Join The Forward Trust, a charity dedicated to empowering change.
- Benefits: Flexible working, training opportunities, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Be part of a compassionate team with strong community connections.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and tackle health inequalities.
- Qualifications: Lived experience of health challenges or criminal justice system is essential.
The predicted salary is between 26000 - 26000 £ per year.
Location: Hertfordshire
Salary: A GBP 26,000 per annum
Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time
Do you have lived experience of health challenges, substance use, or the criminal justice system, and want to use it to make a real difference? Forward Trust's NHS-commissioned RECONNECT service is looking for a passionate Peer Support Worker to help people leaving prison reconnect with vital health and wellbeing support. This is a rewarding, frontline role where your experience, empathy and insight will help shape a truly person-centred service across HMP The Mount and the wider Hertfordshire community.
What You'll Do
- Deliver a person-centred RECONNECT service in custody and the community
- Complete assessments and co-produce tailored care plans
- Support service users for up to 6 months post-release
- Manage a varied caseload and coordinate with community services
- Lead and support the prison Peer Support Programme
- Recruit, train and support prison peer supporters
- Build strong partnerships with prisons, healthcare and external agencies
- Maintain accurate case notes, assessments and risk documentation
- Support Meet and Greet and Meet at the Gate releases
What We're Looking For
- Relevant lived experience aligned with our EDI values
- Strong communication, organisation and relationship-building skills
- Confidence working across custody and community settings
- A compassionate, collaborative and reliable approach
Be part of a values-led organisation making a real impact on health inequalities and successful reintegration. Please note: Prison Vetting is required for this role which is managed by HMPPS and can take between 8-12 weeks to process.
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.
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-rated 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)
RECONNECT Peer Support Worker : Hertfordshire employer: TipTopJob
At TipTopJob, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values collaboration and professional growth. Located in the serene surroundings of Thatcham, Berkshire, our mental health hospital provides extensive benefits, including a competitive salary and opportunities for continuous development, making it an ideal place for dedicated professionals to thrive in their careers while making a meaningful impact on patients' lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land RECONNECT Peer Support Worker : Hertfordshire
✨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 TipTopJob.
✨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 TipTopJob!
✨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 TipTopJob, 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 TipTopJob 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 RECONNECT Peer Support Worker : Hertfordshire
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 TipTopJob:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to TipTopJob! 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 TipTopJob
✨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.
