Justice Key Worker

This role supports individuals with a criminal record by offering them the opportunity for a second chance. The service works both in custody and within the community, helping people develop skills, gain knowledge, and find a sense of purpose after incarceration - greatly reducing the risk of reoffending.

The programme will be delivered as part of the HMPPS Creating Future Opportunities (CFO) initiative across the East and Southeast of England. We are currently recruiting for Justice Key Workers to join a fantastic team. In this role, you will manage a caseload of participants in both custodial and community settings, offering tailored support and guidance. Your work will focus on helping participants overcome barriers to resettlement, achieve key milestones, enhance their skills, and move toward sustainable employment.

This position is subject to enhanced vetting checks. You will be required to work across multiple locations, including HMP Elmley, Sittingbourne, and Maidstone community hubs.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Strong organisational and time management abilities with a proactive, solution-focused approach
• Excellent interpersonal skills including active listening and motivational communication
• A demonstrated commitment to prisoner rehabilitation and the ability to provide independent, community-based support
• An understanding of, and commitment to, the protection and safeguarding of vulnerable individuals
• The ability to pass an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and prison vetting

As a Justice Key Worker, you will play a pivotal role in supporting individuals in custody and in the community who are preparing for or transitioning through the resettlement process. Your primary responsibility is to help participants make sustainable, positive changes in their lives by providing practical and emotional support throughout their rehabilitation journey.

Key responsibilities include:

• Caseload Management: Manage a caseload of participants across custodial and community settings. Ensure each individual receives tailored support through personalised action plans designed to address their specific needs and barriers to reintegration.
• Assessment and Planning: Conduct thorough assessments to identify participants' strengths, needs, and risks. Develop realistic, achievable goals in collaboration with each individual, aligning support to these outcomes.
• Support Delivery: Deliver one-to-one and group interventions focusing on personal development, life skills, employability, education, and training. Support participants to build confidence, self-esteem, and motivation.
• Barrier Reduction: Identify and help address practical barriers such as housing, debt, substance misuse, or mental health concerns, by working in partnership with other organisations and agencies.
• Progress Monitoring: Track and report on participant progress against key milestones. Regularly review action plans and adapt support strategies to ensure continuous engagement and progress.
• Multi-Agency Collaboration: Build strong, collaborative relationships with prison staff, probation officers, community support providers, employers, and training providers to coordinate and deliver a holistic support package.
• Safeguarding and Compliance: Adhere to safeguarding protocols and ensure the safety and wellbeing of participants at all times. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in line with data protection, confidentiality, and service requirements.
• Outreach and Engagement: Proactively engage participants who may be reluctant or difficult to reach, using motivational approaches to encourage participation in services and activities.
• Community Reintegration: Support participants to reintegrate into the community by connecting them to sustainable employment, vocational training, volunteering opportunities, and positive social networks.
• Promoting Positive Outcomes: Inspire change through encouragement, consistency, and by being a positive role model. Celebrate achievements and help participants build a future free from offending.

In addition to making a positive impact in people's lives, you'll also benefit from:

• 25 days of annual leave (plus bank holidays), increasing to 28 days with service; option to purchase additional leave
• 2 days of paid volunteering leave each year
• Enhanced pension scheme after 6 months
• Life Assurance at 3x annual salary
• Access to extensive learning and development opportunities including apprenticeships and management development programmes
• Participation in employee networks and peer support groups
• Health and wellbeing support including employee assistance programme and health cash plan