RECONNECT Assertive Outreach Worker

Base
Guildford (with travel across Surrey) including the 5 Surrey Prisons

Hours
Full time – 35 hours per week

Organisation
It’s not just about what we offer, but how we offer it.

Catalyst is a non-profit organisation working with people to support their health and wellbeing.

Established in Guildford for over 30 years, we provide services alongside a variety of statutory and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) colleagues in Surrey and its borders.

We believe change is achievable when offered by a flexible, respectful, inclusive and a non-judgemental approach.

Our values are Kindness, Integrity and Commitment.

Purpose of Job

Catalyst, in partnership with Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust are providing the Liaison and Diversion services to the Surrey community.

The aim of the service is to provide early intervention for vulnerable people of all ages as they come to the attention of the criminal justice system. People will be assessed and individuals with mental health concerns, learning disabilities, substance misuse problems and other vulnerabilities will be identified as soon as possible and offered support, signposting and referrals to appropriate support services based on their needs.

Information gained from the assessments will be shared with the relevant youth and criminal justice agencies to enable key decision makers to make more informed decisions on diversion, charging, case-management, effective participation in criminal justice proceedings, remand and sentencing for these vulnerable individuals.

The Assertive Outreach Worker will work with colleagues in the Liaison and Diversion Service to offer person-centred and community based support and interventions, which will improve the health and social care for individuals whilst reducing offending and supporting the best possible decision-making within criminal justice partnerships.

The assertive outreach worker will be expected to attend the 5 Surrey Prisons to undertake assessments and meet with clients due for release to build relationships and for continuity of care.

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level as well as full prison vetting.

Key Activities:

• To work with Liaison and Diversion colleagues in locality criminal justice settings to engage with individuals following assessment
• To actively engage with clients in their local community to support the client achieve their goals following assessment
• To engage with clients in the prison environment and complete assessments as needed
• To conduct continuous risk assessments and develop and update risk management plans with partners
• To adhere to all the policies and practices of the Liaison and Diversion service
• To provide advice, information and appropriate harm reduction advice based on an individual’s needs antioxid
• To support the client to engage with key local services to improve their health and wellbeing e.g. primary care, housing, benefits etc.
• To jointly work with the client’s other support workers to ensure client meets any criminal justice requirements
• To transport clients to appointments as required and support clients at assessments and ongoing appointments, where appropriate and if needed
• To develop joint working arrangements with key local services, attend joint assessments if required and attend partnership meetings
• To support individuals to find employment, undertake training, access support services, and cultivate positive social networks
• To keep up-to-date records, data and outcomes in line with the service contract

General terms of reference:

• Work collaboratively across the organisation to offer support to all main functions
• Be committed to the role and support Catalyst to be the most efficient it can be
• Be someone who believes in fairness and conducts themselves with integrity
• Work flexibly across operational sites, including working from home arrangements in agreement with your line manager, as required which may include evening and weekend work
• Be motivated to improve personal performance, outcomes, contribution, knowledge and skills
• Be professional when partaking in Management, Trustee Board and other work…