Family Support Worker

Job Introduction

HMP Peterborough are currently recruiting for a Family Support Worker.

As a Family Support Worker, you will provide a link between residents and their families to ensure relationships are maintained during custody and beyond.  You will also work alongside the Children and Families team to provide a rapid response to provide support, offer advice and signpost families in crisis.

HMP/YOI Peterborough is the country’s only purpose-built prison for both male and female prisoners (kept separate at all times), including a 12-place mother and baby unit. We are committed to offering education and development programmes to provide residents with the skills required to enter employment on release, so reducing the chances of further offending. Providing creative outlets, such as workshop activities, helps to equip those in custody for when they are released. We use ‘Restorative Approaches’ to bring people in conflict into dialogue. Using a skilled and structured process, those who have been harmed have an opportunity to be heard and those that have caused the harm are held to account for what they have done. We have strong links with the community outside through a variety of partnerships, including our outreach activity Outside Links’ offering support and advice to both residents and their families.

For more information on Sodexo Careers please visit Sodexo Careers and Careers in Justice

Role Responsibility

• Provide a rapid response to provide support, offer advice and signpost families in crisis
• Offer Safeguarding protection to all children that may be associated with HMP Peterborough
• Maintain professional standards and oversee the professional presentation of the visitor reception area at all times
• Work with the Children & Family team to assess the needs of the population and conduct interviews with people in custody to address those needs
• Liaise with residents’ families to provide practical advice and support when required
• Engage with ‘Local Authority’ Children’s Services as and when required
• Assist in the identification of potential risks to children and input to Safeguarding requirements as required by Safeguarding Children Board
• Monitor, direct and advise ROTL receptionists to greet all visitors and welcome them to HMP Peterborough then signpost to suit requirements
• Monitor ROTL deployment requirements to ensure maximum efficiency and availability
• Supervise and direct those on ROTL in the maintenance, cleanliness and overall operation of the Visitor Reception area including the restrooms
• Assess family related referrals from any source and ensure that the referral is adequately communicated and appropriately acted upon
• Provide written reports and data for the Children and Family meetings
• Keep up to date referral case notes for evidential purposes
•  Assist with residential (face to face) surgeries
• Facilitate contact visits with residents and their children

The Ideal Candidate

• Good interpersonal skills
• Good communication skills (verbal and written)
• Good IT skills
• Good organisational skills
• Good teamwork ethic

Package Description

37.5 hours per week

Benefits including 28 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays),pension, discounted health cover, subsidised gym membership, childcare voucher scheme, free meals on duty and free on-site parking

£20,868.96 per annum

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs some 35,000 employees to deliver integrated facilities management services to clients at over 2,000 locations in the corporate, healthcare, education, leisure, defence and justice sectors. With an annual turnover of over £1bn, we provide everything from catering, cleaning and reception to security, laboratory and grounds maintenance services, enabling our clients to focus on their core business.

Sodexo Justice aims to change lives for the better by reducing reoffending and improving the quality of life for those under our supervision and in our care. We deliver safe, effective and innovative custodial and community rehabilitation services that challenge offending behaviour, protect the public and offer individuals the opportunity to change their lives for the better. We deliver the total operation of five prisons within the UK and own six Community Rehabilitation Companies in partnership with crime reduction charity Nacro.

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults within a regulated activity. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and/ or Disclosure Scotland.

Please note all roles within Sodexo Justice are subject to security and recruitment checks which may include a Social Media Check. You will also be asked to provide 3 years’ worth of references and request employment history details from the HMRC.