HOPE Mentor

Job Overview

The HOPE Mentor is an exciting opportunity for an individual who has a lived experience of being sent to Prison or being sentenced to community orders. HOPE stands for Hearing Other Peoples Experiences. The mentor uses their own understanding to foster trust and rapport, forming a foundation for effective rehabilitation. HOPE mentors provide dedicated support to individuals within a custodial setting, helping to build strong relationships early in their rehabilitation journey.

By establishing positive connections from the outset, the mentor assists individuals in navigating the transition from custody back into the community. This role plays a crucial part in supporting successful reintegration and encouraging long‑term positive change from the very first day. The HOPE Mentors play a vital role in unlocking and shifting mindsets, enabling individuals in our care to envision a future beyond prison.

They encourage personal responsibility, empowering people to take control of their lives and actively work towards breaking the cycle of institutionalisation. By promoting self‑reliance and reducing learned helplessness, mentors guide individuals in making positive choices and preparing for life after custody. The HOPE Mentor helps individuals create personalised life plans, giving them a clear direction and purpose beyond their time in custody.

These plans, complementing the formal sentence plan, are tailored to each person’s unique needs, goals and aspirations. The aim is to provide a roadmap for the future that fosters personal growth and successful reintegration into the community.

The HOPE Mentor maintains close connections with the Keyworker, Prison Offender Manager (POM), Community Offender Manager (COM) and other relevant departments to ensure a cohesive and supportive approach to rehabilitation and reintegration.

• Assess and support the prisoners through personal assessments of individual needs, helping them develop tailored plans to support their rehabilitation and resettlement journey.
• Provide one‑to‑one support: offer practical and emotional support to prisoners, helping them navigate challenges, maintain motivation and work towards achieving their goals.
• Facilitate structured group sessions: organise and lead peer support sessions, promoting a supportive environment for shared experiences and mutual growth.
• Collaborate with stakeholders: work alongside staff and partners within the prison and the communities where the prisoners will be returning.
• Develop personal plans: working alongside staff and partners, create, monitor and review individual action plans that focus on harm reduction, relapse prevention and long‑term recovery strategies.
• Advocacy and empowerment: work with peer advocates to help prisoners address their needs with different partners to access housing, employment and educational services.
• Risk management:
  
  work alongside staff and partners to identify and respond to safeguarding concerns, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of prisoners.
• Record keeping: maintain accurate, up‑to‑date records of prisoners’ progress and actions, complying with all HMP Millisikes security and information processes including confidentiality and data protection standards (GDPR).

• At least 3 years of experience working with individuals with complex needs such as substance abuse, mental health and neurodiversity.
• Lived experience of being sent to prison or being sentenced to community orders.
• Experience in facilitating group sessions and one‑on‑one interventions.
• Ability to manage workload whilst being part of a diverse team.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage with individuals in a non‑judgmental and empathetic manner.
• Familiarity with safeguarding procedures and managing risk.

• At least one qualification in Health and Social Care, counselling, and/or substance misuse (NVQ, Diploma or equivalent experience).
• Experience working with vulnerable groups of people, e.g. homeless, substance misuse offending behaviours, young people.
• Knowledge of IT – Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Kno…