Healthcare Navigator (Grade Band 4, Permanent, Full time 37.5 hours) – Site HMP Swaleside, Eastchurch, Isle of Sheppey – Salary £30,392–£33,157 per annum (inclusive of recruitment & retention incentive). Closing 09/06/2026.
Job overview
Provide guidance and support to offenders in prison to promote health and well‑being. Deliver integrated care across mental health, physical health, pharmacy and substance misuse services, acting as a bridge between the prison health service and external providers.
Main duties of the job
* Offer reassurance, guidance and signposting to health and social care services to minimise distress and risk.
* Act as a liaison between HMPSS and healthcare providers to improve joint care.
* Be present in the First Night Centre/Induction Wing and support patients during their early days in custody.
* Address vulnerabilities associated with early days in custody, including reducing self‑harm.
* Support access to healthcare and social care services, especially for people from diverse backgrounds or with specific needs.
* Improve partnership working between services, particularly social care and Safer Custody teams.
* Assist with patient choice regarding healthcare interventions and promote Health Champions.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
* Improve identification of risk factors during early days in custody.
* Offer a visible presence in the First Night Centre / Induction Wing – accessible and available.
* Create greater awareness of healthcare and social care options and the range of services available.
* Support access to services; use of PODS and application processes, especially for people from diverse backgrounds or with specific needs.
* Improve partnership working between services – particularly social care, Safer Custody teams.
* Improve engagement rates into healthcare and reduce did‑not‑attend appointments.
* Assist with improving patient choice regarding healthcare interventions.
* Further support social prescribing and promote and manage Health Champions.
* Set up and run specific patient forums relating to post ACCT.
* Input into complex case meetings.
* Be responsible for logging and making referrals.
* Offer appropriate support and guidance to patients and their families/carers.
* Plan and organise work using own initiative, whilst being a valuable member of a team.
* Maintain excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office, Outlook and Excel.
* Undertake general office duties to support the role.
* Provide coordination of and participate in relevant internal and external working groups and offer project advice, expertise and support where requested.
Communication
* Maintain close working partnerships with all services involved in offender care, including prison staff, Ministry of Justice, Trust & Directorate senior managers, CMHT staff, NHS hospitals, Probation Services, CPS, Courts, GP’s, community health services, Housing/Benefit services, social care, community multi‑agency forums, etc.
* Communicate clearly and professionally in a way that patients understand and feel supported.
* Record patient interventions on electronic database systems (e.g., SystmOne and Prison Systems) and contribute to report generation, analysis and production.
* Use clinical systems for record keeping, audit and evaluation.
* Develop and implement data collection systems that provide accurate and timely data.
* Maintain confidentiality.
* Use a range of verbal and non‑verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients, carers, families and colleagues.
* Provide reassurance, guidance, and signposting to health and social care services to minimise distress and risk.
* Identify learning needs, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of education to meet identified needs.
* Establish support mechanisms for structured reflection, including supervision, mentoring and coaching.
* Be physically fit, possess necessary keyboard and IT skills.
* Communicate across the health community and with patients/carers where information may be sensitive or disputed.
* Be empathetic and skilled in listening, persuasion, negotiation, and recognise care, compassion, competency, communication and commitment in the role.
Custodial Responsibilities
* Assume personal responsibility for the security of issued keys.
* Understand and comply with prison orders, procedures and instructions in your area of work.
* Comply with all security requirements.
* Respond to any situation that might indicate a threat to security or safety, completing appropriate reports (Incident, Security, Injury, etc.).
* Report breaches of order and discipline, including untoward incidents according to local protocol.
* Contribute to effective risk assessment and management procedures.
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
* A-level/NVQ level 3 or equivalent experience in admin / business / marketing / customer service environment / healthcare or prison setting.
* Degree level education or equivalent.
Experience
* Experience of multi‑professional collaboration, including partnership work with statutory and voluntary organisations.
* Experience setting up and implementing internal processes and procedures.
* Experience dealing with sensitive/confidential information.
* Ability to prioritise and organise workload to meet deadlines.
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
* Communication and relationship skills.
* Analytical and judgemental skills.
* Understanding of change management and new ways of working.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that welcomes and supports individuals of all abilities. If you meet the minimum criteria and have a disability, you are guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme. All applicants must be willing to undertake National Security Vetting as part of the pre‑employment checks.
Important Sponsorship Information – This post cannot offer a certificate of sponsorship.
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