Some roles in probation require employees to have access to additional intelligence systems that require a higher level of vetting. An example of this, is the multi-agency ‘Visor’ system. If you are applying for a role that requires you to access systems such as Visor, you will be expected to undertake additional vetting for this once you commence in post, in addition to the pre-employment checks. From 22 July 2025, the Government increased the salary threshold and skills level for Skilled Worker visas. This role does not meet the eligibility criteria for sponsorship in accordance with the current immigration rules if you looking to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa for the first time. The Department cannot consider sponsoring you for this role unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously since before 22 July 2025. If you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously, please raise this during your vetting checks and eligibility will be assessed in accordance with the immigration rules and transitional provisions in place. If you are applying for this role and you do not meet the new eligibility criteria for sponsorship (or the transitional provisions), you will need to consider your options for obtaining and/or maintaining your right to work in the UK in light of these changes. Successful applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom. Please note: If your first skilled worker visa/Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) was issued after 22nd July 2025, and you have previously held a student, graduate, or dependant visa, you would not be eligible for sponsorship for this role as the salary offered is below the threshold. If you currently hold a skilled worker visa and have been a skilled worker visa holder continuously since before 4 April 2024 (Please note that the visa can have been issued after this date as long as the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) was issued before you may still apply). The Department will continue to comply with UK Immigration Rules applied in the UK and Civil Service. You can read more about Skilled Worker visas and the eligibility criteria here. Overview of the job The job holder is strategic lead on strengthening and developing continuity of care pathways so those leaving prison can access treatment and support on release, as part of the organisation’s aims on reducing/breaking the cycle of reoffending. As a strategic role within the Probation Service (PS), post holders are accountable to the Head of Community Integration. The role will work regionally and be based within a community probation office with the expectation that post holders will travel as and when required, including regular visits into selected prisons. In line with PS policies and procedures, the job holder must at all times demonstrate a commitment to equality and inclusion and an understanding of their relevance to the work they do. Summary The job holder will be expected to lead on continuity of care pathways working in tandem with relevant local partners and HMPPS colleagues to develop practice related to substance misuse and health-related release planning. This includes designing and consulting on processes to enable information sharing, improving the use of substance misuse and health-related licence conditions, and understanding of health and substance misuse resettlement pathways. The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position. Responsibilities, Activities and Duties The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties: Develop effective relationships with key partners including prisoners, people on probation, prisons, treatment providers in custody and community and commissioners to identify opportunities to improve join-up, locally innovate and drive forward national priority workstreams. Lead strategic discussions with partners and stakeholders to ensure a whole system approach to the delivery of health and justice pathways from custody to community setting. Use performance data to drive activity to improve probation and prison practice and inform partnership working. With a key of focus on Substance misuse and continuity of care pathways. This is also to include engagement with prisoners and people on probation to understand how to improve health and substance misuse pathways. Lead joint partnership working with health and substance misuse partners to design a more integrated health and justice partnership, focusing on continuity of care pathways. Where the service exists, drive improvements in service integration between probation and NHS England and Improvement’s Reconnect service. Identify good practice and innovation opportunities to improve substance misuse and health continuity of care pathways. Drive these forward locally and share with national teams. Provide a key interface between national Offender Health teams within HMPPS and regional probation delivery. This includes escalating local concerns and needs and ensuring communication and delivery of agreed national activity. Increase understanding within Probation about good practice and health and substance misuse pathways to support continuity of care, operating as a specialist point of contact across the region for both Probation and its partners. Drive partnership working with the prison Drug Strategy Leads and PGD leads offering advice and support to manage the transition into the community to improve substance misuse continuity of care.