Peer Support Officer – Transforming Rehabilitation

Closing date: 23 October 2016 (Midnight)

We’re looking for a client-focused individual with a good knowledge of employment interventions, housing and debt advice, to join us as Peer Support Officer and recruit, train and mentor Peers in custody.

Shelter has been contracted to deliver housing, employment coordination, finance and debt advice in HMP Manchester. This service consists of a Resettlement Team based on site delivering advice via the new Resettlement Planning process. This will involve close working with both the prison and CRC staff to create an effective and efficient resettlement planning process for each offender that comes into custody at a Resettlement prison. 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:

• Support the peer and volunteer programme within HMP Manchester  
• Deliver a continuous programme of training to the Peers that support the delivery of Peer Advice Programmes to offenders within custody
• To work in partnership with Resettlement Workers to ensure an inclusive customer focused service delivers effective Resettlement Planning and Pre-Release interventions
• Provide low level advice and support the TR Contract Manager when required
• 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:

• Experience of managing volunteers and developing peer support services, including delivering training and facilitating group work
• An understanding of the main issues affecting unemployment, homelessness and offenders, with experience of working offenders within the criminal justice system an advantage
• A proactive, collaborative and results-driven approach, great relationships building skills, respect for others opinions and the ability to deal effectively with change
• Good typing skills, proficiency using Microsoft Office applications and, ideally, a full driver’s license, access to a vehicle plus relevant insurance.

For further information about the role and the benefits of working for Shelter 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.