Job Description
RECONNECT Team Leader
Location: Hybrid working including HMP The Mount, HMP Woodhill, HMP Bedford & Yarls Wood IRC
Salary: £27,992 per annum plus benefits
Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time
We are currently recruiting for a RECONNECT Team Leader to cover the Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire areas, with hybrid working including HMP The Mount, HMP Woodhill, HMP Bedford & Yarls Wood IRC.
We are Forward, a social enterprise that empowers people to break the cycle of crime and addiction to move forward and live fulfilling lives.
RECONNECT is a care after custody service that seeks to improve the continuity of care for people leaving prison or an immigration removal centre (IRC) with an identified health need.
About the role:
You will be responsible for providing a comprehensive, inclusive, and bespoke RECONNECT service, including advice and guidance to Forward Trust clients across the specified establishments and community services in the local area. Occasionally, you may be asked to assist with other establishments and regions, either remotely or in person.
RECONNECT enables service users to access and sustain supportive interventions upon release from prison, including physical or mental health support and general well-being needs.
The service offers signposting, GP referrals, appointment accompaniment, meet and greet at the gate, aftercare support, and connection to the wider Forward community. Following a referral 12 weeks prior to release, the service assesses clients' needs and collaborates with various agencies to create a bespoke, client-centered care plan.
Key responsibilities:
As a RECONNECT worker, you will contribute to the targets set by Forward and local commissioners to make this service successful. You will assess and respond to the needs of service users directly, communicate with internal and external agencies, and actively seek feedback to improve the service.
Some key responsibilities include:
* Implementing a comprehensive strategy aligned with the RECONNECT contract.
* Building and maintaining partnerships with external agencies and stakeholders.
* Recruiting and developing volunteers and peer support workers with lived experience.
* Managing a team, including supervision, reviews, and meetings.
* Maintaining clear referral pathways for stakeholders.
* Leading by example in line with Forward Trust values.
* Ensuring a high-quality, safe service through collaboration, risk assessments, and safeguarding.
* Connecting teams with local services for clients' community reintegration.
* Supporting recruitment, training, and retention of staff and volunteers.
* Collecting data, reporting KPIs, and supporting line manager duties.
All prison-based roles require an enhanced DBS and HMPPS security vetting, which can take 8-12 weeks. Offers are subject to vetting and clearance.
Checks include:
* Personal, financial, police, and criminal history information.
* Family details and co-residents.
* Associations that may conflict with the role.
* Background checks across police systems and social media.
* Other government and overseas checks.
The ideal candidate will have:
* Strong communication skills and professionalism to represent The Forward Trust effectively.
* A diploma in Health & Social Care or relevant qualifications in mental health or substance misuse (desirable).
* Line management experience and team leadership skills (desirable).
* Experience facilitating groups, knowledge of motivational interviewing, and criminal justice sector experience (beneficial).
* Good organizational, planning skills, and database experience (desirable).
To Apply:
If you are interested and meet the criteria, please click apply to be redirected to the website and complete your application.
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