RECONNECT Trainee - Norfolk - Norfolk
Permanent£22,932
At Forward Trust, we empower people to break the cycle of crime and addiction and move forward to live fulfilling lives.
We’re looking for a Reconnect Trainee to join our team in Norfolk, supporting people leaving custody to reconnect with vital health and wellbeing services in the community.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to start a career in health, wellbeing or criminal justice support. As part of the role, you’ll complete a 12–18 month Level 2 apprenticeship in a relevant qualification alongside your work with the RECONNECT team.
Please note: This is a community-based role across Norfolk, supporting individuals before and after release from prison. A full driving licence and access to your own vehicle is essential in order to travel between locations and meet service users.
About the RECONNECT Service
RECONNECT supports adults with health needs who are due to leave prison or an immigration removal centre. The service works with individuals up to 12 weeks before release and up to 6 months afterwards, helping them maintain and access the health and wellbeing support they need when returning to the community.
You’ll support individuals across:
* HMP Norwich
* HMP Wayland
* HMP Bure
What You’ll Be Doing
Working alongside experienced colleagues, you’ll help deliver a person-centred and holistic service that supports people to transition safely from custody to community services.
Key responsibilities include:
* Processing referrals and providing updates to referrers
* Learning to carry out needs assessments and develop care plans
* Supporting service users with health and wellbeing needs for up to 6 months post-release
* Helping people access GPs, health services and local support networks
* Making referrals to services including Meet and Greet / Meet at the Gate support
* Ensuring service users are connected with appropriate community services prior to release
* Maintaining clear case notes, assessments, care plans and risk assessments
* Working collaboratively with colleagues to share best practice and manage risk
* Supporting the recruitment and training of prison peer supporters
What We’re Looking For
We’re seeking someone compassionate, motivated and keen to develop, with a genuine interest in supporting vulnerable individuals.
You’ll ideally have:
* Experience supporting vulnerable adults (through work, volunteering or placements)
* A passion for helping people facing complex challenges
* A commitment to learning and personal development
* Ability to work effectively as part of a team
* Confidence maintaining professional boundaries
* Strong IT and administrative skills
* A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle (essential for this role)
If you’re ready to make an impact and help people reconnect with support and opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.
Please see attached Job Description for full details
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 an employee, we will offer you the following 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)
Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
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.
To find out more about Forward’s commitment to being an inclusive employer and our current EDI strategy click here.
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 follow safer recruitment practices and support a culture of openness and accountability.