Offender Resettlement Worker

HMP Altcourse

Please apply with your CV and respond to the questions detailing how you meet the criteria of the four knowledge, skills and experience points as outlined in this job description (in red).

Applications which do not follow this format will not be considered.

Are you someone who thrives in a fast-paced, challenging environment and won't be fazed in a custodial/prison setting? Join us at HMP Altcourse as an Offender Resettlement Worker and you could be instrumental in turning around often chaotic lives.

Shelter deliver an Integrated Through the Gate service in prisons across the North West working closely with offenders and a range of other agencies to provide a holistic service that assesses individual need so that prisoners are fully supported up to and following release.

About the role

You will play a critical role as part of a team working to rehabilitate prisoners and reduce reoffending rates. Delivering a resettlement service either within HMP Altcourse or via outreach to other prisons, your role will include completing resettlement plans for each offender and delivering induction, group work and pre-release planning. Carrying out housing, finance and debt interventions and co-ordinating other pathway interventions by managing referrals to appropriate providers is also a key part of the role.

About you

A prison environment is unique and not everyone is suited to working within it. You'll need to be resilient, calm and have the stamina to deal with often challenging and volatile situations. You'll enjoy working in a fast-paced, high churn, target driven environment and be creative when it comes to problem solving.

Experience of providing advocacy on behalf of clients to other agencies and authorities is essential, as is a proactive, client-focused and collaborative approach, great relationship building skills, respect for others' opinions and the ability to deal effectively with change. You'll need an understanding of housing law and debt advice and of the main issues affecting offenders and homelessness. You'll also need to be able to use MS office applications as keeping accurate records is a critical part of the role and can make the difference between someone keeping or losing their home.

Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

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.

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

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