Lived Experience Coordinator - Probation Services - Humber

Overview

We are Forward, the social enterprise that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 30 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.

Forward Trust now delivers services within the Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) as part of the Ministry of Justice’s new probation system, procured by Regional Probation Directors to provide flexible, responsive services to help break the cycle of reoffending.

What you will be doing?

You will be working remotely as part of a flexible, multi-disciplinary team, covering boroughs across London as a Lived Experience Co-Ordinator in the Dependency and Recovery Services as part of the CRS probation system.

You will contact new POP, providing an information pack, promote the benefits of working with us and introduce them to our Lived Experience Peers (LEPs). You will establish a referral pathway and continually promote our service in London via locally tailored marketing/publicity, e.g., roadshows/events, workshops, surgeries, local media, leveraging material from our ongoing “More Than My Past” campaign, giving voice to people with lived experience, and reinforcing the message that recovery is possible.

Our aim is to reduce re-offending through a comprehensive, holistic and person centred package of support. Our service is tailored to meet individual needs by delivering a range of programmes within the Dependency and Recovery framework.

This role is primarily responsible for the development and management of the LEP’s Mentor service You will be required to recruit, train and supervise day to day management of volunteers and LEP’s.

You will also co-ordinate team meetings, update training and provide supervision for LEP’s and Volunteers and where applicable support with Level 2 peer mentoring qualification.

You will be required to manage a diverse case load with a range of complexities and risk levels . You will be responsible for completing comprehensive assessments, creating a collaborative action plan, maintaining accurate record keeping throughout.

You will be responsible for adhering to the targets set by Forward and the local commissioners. Co-operative working relationships with other partner agencies and probation staff are vital to this role.

In addition to Monday-Friday we will provide out of hours support, so some degree of flexibility will be required (eg. evenings 5– 9pm/weekends 9am–5pm) provided virtually 1:1 and through an online and telephone helpline.

You may at times be required to attend our head office for training.

What we are looking for?

We are looking for canidates with the following skills and experience:

• Knowledge of the issues facing service users in the criminal justice sector.
• Previous experience of providing a peer support service to this or a similar client group or working closely with volunteers.
• Demonstrable experience of managing high caseloads, carrying out risk/ comprehensive assessments, SMART action plans and effective case records.
• Experience of delivering both 1:1 and group-work interventions using motivational techniques.
• Experience of providing training and support for peer support services to prisoners, or those with drug or alcohol problems.
• The ability to set and stick to professional boundaries.
• Ability to work effectively with key partners in order to successfully deliver projects.
• Demonstrate the ability to organise workload , ensuring effective time management and prioritisation to meet targets.
• Understanding of, and commitment to, the principles of equal opportunity and GDPR requirements including client confidentiality.
• Experience of strong communication skills with people from a range of backgrounds in a sensitive, supportive and professional manner.
• A relevant qualification in criminal justice/social care or relevant experience in a comparable role.
• Proactivity – Quick thinking with a high level use of initiative.
• Resilience – Solves problems, takes learning on board from mistakes to aid personal and professional growth.
• Confidence – Has confidence in own abilities, has good eye contact and able to communicate clearly and concisely.
• Team Work – Works in harmony with colleagues to deliver results.
• Open to Feedback - Open to constructive feedback in order to further develop.

What we offer

We value the dedication and commitment of our employees by rewarding them with market-leading pay and benefits.

We also offer:

• Flexible working
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• 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)

Person specification

Lived Experience Coordinator - Probation Services - YATH - Job Description