Liaison and Diversion Peer Support Worker Ref: LDP-223

Are you a compassionate, proactive and highly organised individual with a proven record of working and engaging  positively with people who have a history of substance use, mental health, offending or other vulnerable groups?

Do you have experience of providing support, advice and advocacy and the ability to assess a client’s needs?

If so, St Giles Trust is looking for a Liaison and Diversion Peer Support Worker to join our dynamic team, where you will provide Peer-led support to people caught up in the criminal justice system to build better futures by diverting them into mainstream services.

St Giles is an ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need. Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others. A

This vital role will see our successful candidate focus on a broad range of duties, including assessing referred clients and then producing support and risk management plans based on these assessments, promoting inter-agency collaboration in the process. You will develop and maintain relationships with referral agencies, including police, treatment provider and Liaison and Diversion and support those referred to access and engage with suitable support agencies.

We will also count on you to deliver a holistic support and practical service, providing social and housing support, help with training and employment options, benefits work, debt advice and liaising with utilities. Assisting with providing monitoring information and the evaluation of the project is a key aspect of the role, as is maintaining accurate records of casework and data collection.

What we are looking for

• Had personal experience of the criminal justice system, served a prison sentence, or still be serving a prison sentence within reach of the target area

• Experience of at least one of the key vulnerabilities identified as the target group for Liaison and Diversion
• Experience of engaging successfully with challenging people, for example people who have complex needs, people who are reluctant to discuss their needs, and people who are angry and confused

• A relevant qualification to a good standard, or be working towards one
• An understanding of the need to use support plans
• Excellent IT, interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written

As an organisation that works with children and adults at risk we are committed to safeguarding, protecting and promoting the safety of our clients. An enhanced DBS with child barred list check is required for all successful applicants.

In return, you can expect a competitive salary, generous leave allowance, staff pension, access to clinical supervision flexible working, a mentoring programme, an advice and counselling service, season ticket loan and much more.

Post based in either Coventry or Warwickshire with travel across both areas

Fixed Term Contract until 1 August 2023