Essex RECONNECT Worker

Essex RECONNECT Worker

Location: Essex

Salary: £23,059 per annum

We are The Forward Trust (formerly RAPt and Blue Sky), 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. In 2020 Forward Trust introduced an exciting addition to the services provided to include IAPT mental health services, as recognition of dual diagnosis in our client group and to support those with low level mental health issues access support to achieve change. Following this in 2021, Forward Trust have been given an opportunity to deliver NHS RECONNECT services across the Norfolk & Suffolk prison estate, which has been extended to cover Chelmsford and Essex April 2023.

What is RECONNECT?

RECONNECT aims to address the health inequalities experienced by those released from prison. The service starts working with people before they leave prison, where they will have access to a RECONNECT worker, who helps them to make the transition to community-based services that will provide the health and care support that they need. The RECONNECT service was first announced in the NHS Long Term Plan (LTP) and is the biggest new investment in Health and Justice services for the past six years. The RECONNECT ambition is to support more people leaving prison to make the transition to community based services, ensuring that they continue to receive the care and support they need.

What you will be doing?

You will be responsible for providing a comprehensive, inclusive and bespoke RECONNECT service, including advice and guidance to Forward Trust clients across in HMP Chelmsford being released into Essex. RECONNECT enables service users to access and sustain supportive interventions upon release from prison, whether that be physical or mental health in addition to general well-being support. The service will offer mentor link in, sign-posting, GP referrals, aftercare support and a connection to the wider Forward community. Following a referral 12-weeks prior to release, the service is to identify the service User’s needs via a robust assessment and then working in partnership with many agencies a bespoke care plan is created with the client at the centre.

Some of the Key responsibilities of the role are as follows:

• Process referrals and provide updates to referrer on assessment outcome.
• Conduct in-depth needs assessment for all suitable referrals.
• Maintain contact and support to Service Users as identified in assessment in preparation for and for 6 months post release.
• To support co-ordinator with the recruitment and training of prison peer supporters.
• Maintain excellent partnerships with external agencies and key-stakeholders.
• Implement a clear referral pathway including Offender Management in Custody, Family /Self, Prison and Healthcare.
• Ensure that a holistic service is delivered safely to our clients in line with individual and team targets.
• Working closely with your colleagues you will discuss and share best practice and fully engage with risk assessment processes to deliver a high quality service safely.
• To make referrals to Forward Trust Meet and Greet service.
• Ensuring that service users are fully connected in with local services in preparation for release into the community.

What are we looking for?

• Experience of supporting vulnerable adults (this may come from volunteering, student work placements or previous employment)
• Aptitude for working with vulnerable clients
• Ability to receive feedback
• Commitment to own learning and personal development
• Ability and willingness to learn
• Ability to work as part of a team
• An ability to set and maintain professional boundaries

What we offer

• Training and development opportunities
• Flexible working
• 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)

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.

*Please note; we reserve the right to close this role early.