RECONNECT Partnership Manager

Overview:

We are looking for a Reconnect Partnership Manager. This is an exciting new opportunity to join our team.

We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to bui 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.

RECONNECT aims to address the health inequalities experienced by those released from prison. The service starts working with people before they leave prison and continues with this work post release when in the community. Our clients have access to a RECONNECT worker who helps them to make the transition to community-based services that will provide the health and care support that they need. RECONNECT service was first announced in the NHS Long Term Plan (LTP) and is the biggest new investment in Health and Justice services for the past six years.

Your role is to develop a strategic approach between Forward Trust teams and our stakeholders. You will act as the single point of contact and carry out the following activities:

Map existing community services to improve access to them and identify gaps in provision.

• Ensure voluntary sector staff and volunteers understand the prison environment, population and regime adequately in order to deliver their services efficiently and safely.
• Enhance knowledge of and access to voluntary sector support amongst people in prison.
• Develop a strategic role for community-based voluntary organisations to work in the prison; delivering an equitable service to those available in the community
• Develop robust partnership links with all relevant agencies such as Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC), National Probation Service (NPS) and other statutory organisations.

You will be responsible for contributing to the targets set by Forward and the local commissioners. One of the key targets will be measuring outcomes, so co-operative working relationships with other partner agencies is vital to this role.

You will be responsible for providing a comprehensive, inclusive and bespoke RECONNECT service, including advice and guidance to Forward Trust clients across the custodial and community setting. There may be occasions where you could be asked to assist with other establishments and regions, either remotely or in person.

• The use of strong IT skills to support project management
• Flexibility to meet the needs of the service as it develops within required timeframes
• Experience of development of SLAs with a variety of services
• Knowledge of support organisations available in communities
• Ability to represent The Forward Trust in a positive and professional manner
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and in a variety of formats

• Training and development opportunities
• Flexible working 
• Simply Health Cashback Scheme (Optional)
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme 
• Cycle to work scheme
• Crisis Loan Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
• Access to Blue Light Card
• 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)

Diversity at Forward Trust

Our workforce is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.

Please note the closing date for this role is 3rd March 2025. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

NEW TEMPLATE - RECONNECT Partnership Manager (002)