Overview
Essex RECONNECT Worker – Essex
Permanent
£24,000
As a RECONNECT Practitioner, you will play a vital role in helping individuals prepare for release and reintegrate into society by providing health, wellbeing, and practical support. Working closely with clients 12 weeks prior to their release and for up to 6 months post-release, you will ensure they are connected to appropriate services, including substance misuse support, mental and physical healthcare, housing, and community networks.
You’ll offer a comprehensive, inclusive, and person centred service helping clients transition back into the community safely, confidently, and with the support they need to thrive.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct robust needs assessments and develop personalised care plans in collaboration with clients.
- Maintain regular contact and support post-release, addressing ongoing health and wellbeing needs.
- Manage a diverse caseload, supporting clients through resettlement and connecting them to community health services.
- Process referrals and keep referrers updated on progress and outcomes.
- Support the recruitment and training of prison peer supporters.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with external agencies and key stakeholders.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records, including assessments, care plans, and risk assessments.
- Promote and develop clear referral pathways with prison and community-based services.
- Contribute to a safe and high-quality service by fully engaging in risk assessment and case management processes.
- Support clients with Meet at the Gate initiatives and ensure they’re linked with local services upon release
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a candidate with the following knowledge skills and experience listed below.
- Experience in working with complex or vulnerable individuals, ideally within criminal justice, health, or substance misuse settings.
- Strong communication, organisational, and administrative skills.
- Ability to build trust and rapport quickly with clients and partners.
- A proactive, compassionate, and non-judgmental approach.
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a multi-disciplinary team
About Us
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 –
- 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)
When we recruit, we welcome applications from everyone. This is inclusive of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and/or belief, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity and socio-economic background. Where operationally possible, we will consider flexible working requests and make reasonable adjustments for all roles.
To find out more about Forward’s commitment to being an inclusive employer and our current EDI strategy click here.
Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work
If successful in your application, you will be required to provide eligibility to work evidence in line with the ‘Eligibility to Work in the UK’ requirements.
