Criminal Justice Worker
Location: Southend on Sea
Salary: £24,960 - £26,000
Vacancy Type: Permanent
Closing date: 18th May 2026
Looking for a role where you can make a genuine difference?
Were seeking a passionate Criminal Justice Worker based in Southend‑on‑Sea, working full time (35 hours per week), to support adults aged 18+ involved in the criminal justice system who need help with drug and/or alcohol use. Youll work within an integrated healthcare framework delivering person‑centred psychosocial interventions, harm reduction and recovery‑focused support.
This is a rewarding opportunity to help people rebuild their lives while working closely with courts, probation, healthcare teams and community partners.
What Youll Be Doing
* Deliver assessments, care planning and tailored interventions for service users
* Provide 1:1 harm reduction and recovery support
* Advise magistrates and probation teams on suitability for ATRs and DRRs
* Manage a varied caseload, ensuring timely and effective support
* Work collaboratively with GPs, prisons, probation and external agencies
* Support clients with housing, benefits, training and employment referrals
* Maintain accurate case notes, reports and performance data
* Contribute to service targets, outcomes and continuous improvement
What Were Looking For
* Experience supporting vulnerable adults or working in criminal justice, substance misuse or health/social care settings
* Strong understanding of risk assessments, safeguarding and case management
* Ability to build positive relationships with clients and partner agencies
* Organised, resilient and able to manage competing priorities
* Confident using IT systems and maintaining accurate records
* A proactive, compassionate and solution‑focused approach
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 ratad 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.
We want our recruitment process to be accessible to everyone. If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know.
Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work
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.
Our Commitment to Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. Forward Trust follows safer recruitment practices and supports a culture of openness and accountability.
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