About this role
RECONNECT Peer Support Worker
Location: Hertfordshire
Salary: £26,000 per annum
Vacancy Type: Permanent
Do you have lived experience of health challenges, substance use, or the criminal justice system, and want to use it to make a real difference?
Forward Trust’s NHS-commissioned RECONNECT service is looking for a passionate Peer Support Worker to help people leaving prison reconnect with vital health and wellbeing support.
This is a rewarding, frontline role where your experience, empathy and insight will help shape a truly person-centred service across HMP The Mount and the wider Hertfordshire community.
What you’ll do:
Deliver a person-centred RECONNECT service in custody and the communityComplete assessments and co-produce tailored care plansSupport service users for up to 6 months post-releaseManage a varied caseload and coordinate with community servicesLead and support the prison Peer Support ProgrammeRecruit, train and support prison peer supportersBuild strong partnerships with prisons, healthcare and external agenciesMaintain accurate case notes, assessments and risk documentationSupport Meet & Greet and “Meet at the Gate” releases What we’re looking for:
Relevant lived experience aligned with our EDI valuesStrong communication, organisation and relationship-building skillsConfidence working across custody and community settingsA compassionate, collaborative and reliable approach Be part of a values-led organisation making a real impact on health inequalities and successful reintegration.
Please note: Prison Vetting is required for this role which is managed by HMPPS & can take between 8-12 weeks to process.
Please see attached Job Description for full details
About Us
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 -
Flexible workingSupport for Families – We support our employees through every stage of family life by offering enhanced maternity and paternity pay for eligible employees who have completed 26 weeks' continuous service, alongside family-friendly policies and a supportive, inclusive workplace.Training and development opportunitiesSimply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)Season Ticket Loan SchemeCycle to work schemeCrisis Loan SchemeElectric Car Scheme3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)Access to Blue Light Card25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank HolidaysContributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafterDeath in Service Payment (2x annual salary)Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria) Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Please note that remote roles may require occasional travel for site visits, training and meetings.
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Forward Trust, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application.