Support Worker - Criminal Justice

Job Role: Support Worker – Criminal Justice

Salary: £20,960 (FTE £26,200) per year

Hours: 30 hours per week

Contract type: Permanent

Location: Covering Weston Super mare, Highbridge, Bridgwater

Additional information:

Valid driver's license and access to a car for business purposes

Participation in an out-of-hours on-call rota

This role is based at our Taunton office, with regular travel required within a 30-mile radius across Somerset

About Alongside:

Alongside is the new name for Julian House. We work with people experiencing social exclusion across the South and West of England, providing outreach, accommodation and support. Our clients may be sleeping rough, fleeing abuse, rebuilding after trauma, leaving prison, recovering from addiction, or trying to settle safely in a new community. Whatever their starting point, we work alongside people to help build safety, stability and independence.

If you’d like a real sense of job satisfaction, great career prospects and a competitive benefits package, you could be who we’re looking for!

About the Role:

As a Support Worker within our Criminal Justice Service, you’ll be a steady, positive presence for people leaving prison who’ve recently experienced homelessness. Many clients are navigating trauma, mental ill‑health, substance use, domestic abuse and ongoing involvement with the justice system.

You’ll be responsible for managing referrals, completing needs/risk assessments, and providing tailored support that empowers clients to maintain their accommodation and make positive life changes. You’ll work closely with key partners such as the National Probation Service, Police, and other support agencies to create effective, multi-agency support plans.

Day to day, you’ll help with benefit claims and budgeting, coach the skills for safe, stable tenancies and ensure accommodation meets high health & safety standards. You’ll also keep clear, timely records and contribute to reporting for partners and funders, playing a vital role in the wider success of the service.

• Build positive and effective working relationships and agreements with external agencies which will include working closely with criminal justice services
• Complete needs and risk assessments for clients leading to the delivery of support plans which meet individual client needs
• Give clients advice and information to provide an enabling service so that they can access appropriate services and accommodation
• Ensure all new clients moving into the service understand their rights, responsibilities and the conditions of their licence agreement

Please note:
Job descriptions are not exhaustive, and the successful candidate may occasionally be asked to take on other duties that align with the key responsibilities outlined.

• A valid UK driving licence and access to own vehicle – business insurance will be required for roles involving travel for work
• Experience working with vulnerable adults and/or people with complex needs and challenging behaviours

• Access to our Rewards Platform, which includes an Employee Assistance Programme and Health Cash Plan
• 27 days annual leave, including an extra day off for your birthday, plus bank holidays - increasing up to 30 days after 4 years of continuous employment (pro rata for part-time staff)
• 30% staff discount at Julian House charity shop
• A generous and competitive pension scheme
• A supportive culture where staff feedback is highly valued and regular supervisions with line managers are conducted
• Great opportunities for career development and free monthly training sessions from experienced facilitators
• For all the fantastic and valuable work, you’ll be eligible for the Blue Light Card which…