Family Support Worker

This is a great opportunity for a motivated and dedicated individual to work within a team who provide help and support prisoners and their families, to reduce re-offending by developing and strengthening family ties. 

Provide a professional and supportive service for all visitors to HMP Five Wells - including families, children and professional. This role will be the first and last point of contact for all visitors to the establishment

Deliver a high quality family support service which supports prisoners and their children, families and significant others.

Hours: 10 per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - 12:30pm - 3:00pm)

Some flexibility can be discussed around timings. Bank Holidays included.

About us

Invisible Walls is a Community Interest Company (not for profit) working with people in prison, their children and families.

Our mission

• To help reduce inter-generational offending;
• To help families reconnect with their communities - using a 'whole family' approach;
• To work with families to improve family relationships during and after custody;
• To help make the visiting experience a positive and engaging one for all involved;
• Provide support during and after custody to help people build better futures - accommodation, employment, training, education, volunteering, substance use.

Our values

•  We build relationships based on HONESTY, mutual RESPECT and TRUST;
•  KINDNESS and COMPASSION are at the heart of everything we do;
•  We BELIEVE everybody can make positive changes.

Key responsibilities

• Assist with booking in all domestic, professional visitors in accordance with relevant policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with the local security strategies.
• Support families with any issues presenting in the Visitor Centre and liaising with family workers, assisting when required.
• To work in partnership with prison staff and a wide range of multi-agency professionals to ensure children and families receive the relevant support to meet their needs.
• Managing cash and property deposits from families to ensure the prisoner receives his items. 
• Liaising with internal departments throughout the establishment. 
• Manage telephone calls from families and other internal and external agencies.
• Assist with transport booking when needed.
• Open and closing of the Visitor Centre as required.
• Maintaining prisoner records and paperwork. 
• To promote, monitor and maintain health safety and security in the working environment.
• To work cooperatively with children’s services, health agencies and other community based services, to provide the most effective service for children, young people and families.
• To contribute to Service development.
• To apply safeguarding and child protection procedures where appropriate.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development - either through optional or mandatory training where required.
• This job description is not exhaustive and the job holder may be required to carry out other duties commensurate with the position.
• To work with children, young people and their families, on a one to one or group basis, using a variety of interventions, to identify needs and to achieve positive outcomes.
• Assist in the promotion of creating a positive Health & Safety culture across the site leading by example, this includes reporting accidents and near misses in a timely manner & follow the applicable safe systems of work for the role
• The duties and responsibilities listed within this job description are not exhaustive and the job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary from time to time.

Skills and knowledge

Essential

• Computer literate (Word, Excel, Google Suite)
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Some experience of work with children and young people but this does not have to have been gained in a formal employment setting.
• Ability to manage a wide range of tasks in a pressured environment.  
• Able to listen to and communicate effectively with adults, children and young people.
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Able to accurately and clearly record case notes deploying the necessary standard of writing and IT skills.
• Able to apply IWFS safeguarding and child protection procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively at all times with the general public, professionals.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends on a rota basis.  

Desirable

• Experience of working within the criminal justice sector
• Relevant vocational/voluntary/life experience
• Individuals should be well motivated and innovative in their approach to work.
• A belief in the ability of people to make positive life changes.
• Awareness of the Criminal Justice System and its processes including custody.

Benefits

Access to HSF

Employees have access to the basic level of cover with the option to upgrade the level of cover for discounted rates.

Wellbeing Days

We offer the opportunity to take wellbeing days (two for full-time staff, one for part-time staff) in addition to your annual leave entitlement.

Pre-employment checks

Any employment with Invisible Walls will be subject to the following checks prior to your start date:

• Receipt of satisfactory references.
• A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (if applicable to the role).
• Proof of Right to Work in the UK and successful completion of HMPPS vetting procedures.  
• If you have been living/travelling outside of the UK for 6 months or more a Certificate of Good Conduct (CGC) will be required if applicable to the role.