RECONNECT peer support worker

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, you’ll 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, you’ll 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 You’ll 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 you’re motivated, supportive and passionate about making a real difference, we’d love to welcome you to Forward Trust as part of the RECONNECT team.

Please see attached Job Description for full details.

All prison-based roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks and HMPPS security vetting. These checks can take up to 5 months to complete. Any offer of employment will be conditional upon the successful completion of both checks.

Please note if you have lived overseas within the last 5 years then checks may take longer.

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
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• 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…