Resettlement Worker – Transforming Rehabilitation

Fixed Term Contract until March 2017

Closing date: 12 September 2016 (Midnight)

Are you passionate about empowering people? Are you proactive and solution focused? Do you want to support people to return to independence and reduce the risk of future reoffending?

The “Through the Gate” team is looking for an enthusiastic Resettlement Worker with proven housing law, finance and debt advice knowledge to join our team at HMP Manchester.

Shelter works in partnership with Cheshire and Greater Manchester CRC to deliver a Resettlement service identifying and addressing people’s needs at the beginning of their sentence and in preparation for their release into the community.

As part of this we deliver housing, employment, finance and debt advice and interventions and work closely with all other pathways to co-ordinate and deliver a Resettlement plan. This collaborative approach, working with the CRC and custodial providers in each prison, aims to deliver a holistic, co-ordinated, efficient and supportive approach to reducing the risk of future reoffending and empowering individuals preparing to independence. You’ll play an integral part in this.

Benefits include 30 days annual leave, the possibility of flexible working and significant opportunities for learning and development.

Your key responsibilities:

• Deliver a professional, outcome focused Resettlement Service to offenders within the  resettlement prison, either on-site or via outreach at additional HMP locations within the CPA
• Complete resettlement plans for each offender and deliver induction, group work, wing surgeries and pre-release planning
• Carry out agreed housing, finance, debt and employment interventions and coordinate other pathway interventions by managing referrals to appropriate providers
• Provide coaching and mentoring support to Peers in collaboration with Peer Support Officers
• Support employment retention, searches, application and CV writing as part of pre-release planning - signposting as appropriate to services in custody and the community. 

And what you’ll need:

• Considerable experience of employment intervention, housing law and debt advice
• A good understanding of the main issues affecting homelessness and offenders
• Experience of providing advocacy on behalf of clients to other agencies and authorities
• A proactive, client-focused and collaborative approach, great relationship building skills, respect for others’ opinions and the ability to deal effectively with change
• Good typing skills, proficiency using Microsoft Office applications.

A full driver’s license and access to a vehicle with the relevant insurance is desirable.

For further information about the role, the benefits of working for Shelter and to apply please visit our website.

At Shelter, we welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation. We are facing diverse problems, so need diverse people to tackle them.

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help.

We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.