RECONNECT Peer Support Worker - Norfolk
Location: Norfolk
Salary: £24,484 per annum
Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time
Closing Date: 10th December 2025
Do you have lived experience of physical or mental ill health, substance use, or the criminal justice system? Are you ready to use that experience to support others as they prepare to return to the community? If so, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
As part of our NHS-commissioned RECONNECT service, Forward Trust proudly recruits people with lived experience. Your insight, empathy and understanding are key to helping individuals reintegrate safely, confidently and with the right support in place.
About the Role
As a RECONNECT Peer Support Worker, youll provide personalised, inclusive support to individuals across HMP Norwich, HMP Wayland, HMP Bure, and the wider Norfolk community, with some remote working. From identifying health and wellbeing needs 12 weeks pre-release to offering ongoing support up to six months post-release, youll be a vital link between prison and community services.
Key Responsibilities
Process referrals, complete needs assessments and co-create tailored care plans
Provide ongoing pre- and post-release support (up to 6 months) around health, wellbeing and reintegration
Manage a diverse caseload and help individuals connect with community healthcare and support services
Assist with the recruitment and training of prison peer supporters
Build and maintain strong partnerships with external agencies and stakeholders
Keep clear, accurate case notes, assessments, care plans and risk documentation
Support effective referral pathways across prison, healthcare and community services
Contribute to team discussions, best-practice sharing and risk management
Make referrals to the Meet & Greet service and support Meet at the Gate releases
Ensure service users are fully linked with local services ahead of release
What Youll Bring
Your lived experience and the ability to use it positively to support others
A compassionate, non-judgemental approach and strong communication skills
The ability to manage a caseload and build effective relationships
A commitment to delivering safe, holistic and inclusive support
If youre motivated, supportive and passionate about making a real difference, wed love to welcome you to Forward Trust as part of the RECONNECT team.
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 rata'd 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.
Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work
We recognise the importance of safeguarding, 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.
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for the Forward Trust, please click apply to be redirected to their website to complete your application.
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