We are recruiting a Support Time Recovery Worker to join the Hampshire Liaison and Diversion Service, working primarily in the community with individuals released from HMP Winchester, with some work in custody and court.
We’ve been recognised with a number of awards, including a Thames Valley/Hampshire Constabulary Police Commendation, Berkshire Healthcare ‘Team of the Year’ and runner‑up for the Howard League for Penal Reform “Liaison and Diversion Service of the Year”.
The post involves supporting people involved in the criminal justice system who often present with complex needs including mental health difficulties, substance misuse, homelessness and social exclusion.
Working Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm, you will manage your own caseload, engage people who may be hard to engage or distressed, and gather information from service users, families and partner agencies.
You will support access to services including mental health, substance misuse, housing, education, debt and employment, while maintaining clear professional boundaries and managing risk.
You will liaise closely with police, probation, prisons, courts and health services, acting as a single point of contact for health, and provide clear written and verbal information to inform decision‑making.
The role is not suitable for applicants whose experience is limited to personal or physical care (e.g. care homes or domiciliary care) without experience of working with complex social need or justice‑involved individuals.
Responsibilities
* Monday – Friday 9am‑5pm based primarily within the community or the prison settings, there may be times you are required to step into court and custody too.
* You will support people who are typically hard to engage, you will talk to families and friends to gain a holistic understanding of the client’s circumstances and facilitate their access to support services, providing individualised support with practical problems or difficulties that may be affecting their health and wellbeing.
* An empathetic advocate of service users, you will promote their rights and responsibilities, build a rapport, whilst maintaining appropriate and transparent boundaries. You will be emotionally resilient, able to cope with people potentially displaying challenging behaviour and distressing situations.
* To provide help and advice to service users that includes housing, social isolation and exclusion, education, debt management and employment problems etc.
* To provide the court with written and verbal information pertaining to the individual in a timely fashion to inform disposal.
* To work closely and build links with all referring agencies within the custody suite, court and probation acting as a single point of contact for health.
* To work autonomously, with the ability to organise and manage own time according to delegated workload.
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Values
* Caring for and about you is our top priority.
* Committed to providing good quality, safe services.
* Working together with you to develop innovative solutions.
Benefits
* Flexible working options to support work‑life balance.
* 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell.
* Generous NHS pension scheme.
* Excellent learning and career development opportunities.
* ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles.
* Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services.
* Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants.
* Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality.
* Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave.
* Free parking across Trust sites.
Must Haves
1. Experience working with vulnerable adults with complex needs in criminal justice, mental health, substance misuse, homelessness or community outreach settings.
2. A Level 3 qualification or equivalent relevant to criminal justice, mental health, social care, or community support.
3. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce professional reports.
4. Licence holder with access to your own vehicle who is prepared to travel across multiple sites in Hampshire as required.
5. For police vetting purposes applicants must have lived in the UK for three years. This will need to be clearly evidenced on your application.
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point‑by‑point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.
We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver, Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Gaynor Cowan on 03001235066 or email: gaynor.cowan@berkshire.nhs.uk who’ll be delighted to help. Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
This advert closes on Monday 23 Mar 2026.
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