Custody Support Worker HMP

In-Custody Case Worker

Salary: £28,755

Location: HMP Durham

Contract: Full Time Permanent

Rebuilding your life after a custodial sentence is one of the toughest challenges a person can face. With the right support, it’s possible. We’re looking for a dedicated Case Worker to join our team – someone with a rare mix of compassion, resilience, organisation and flexibility. This is for the person who understands that rehabilitation isn’t just about offering advice; it’s about rolling up your sleeves and pro‑actively supporting someone on their journey.

In this role, you'll work within the prison, providing one‑to‑one support to a caseload of participants as they prepare for release. You will generally work with those in the last 12 weeks of their sentence, supporting them to be ready to re‑enter society and to overcome barriers, build confidence, and take meaningful steps toward rehabilitation, promoting engagement with our community hubs post‑release.

You will work closely with pre‑release teams and through the gate teams, ensuring participants are fully supported in their transition. This is a demanding yet deeply rewarding role. You'll work in a challenging environment with individuals who have complex needs and may be hesitant to engage. When you help someone break the cycle and take real steps toward transforming their life, the impact is truly life‑changing—for them and for you.

• Relationship Building:
  Foster genuine, trusting, and non‑judgemental relationships with participants, creating a safe space for personal growth.
• One‑to‑one Support:
  Set and review goals while ensuring accurate and timely recording.
• Action Planning:
  Formulate a detailed action plan identifying specific needs and barriers and the support they need to transition.
• Caseload management:
  Manage multiple individuals, balancing their needs while keeping up with all the related admin.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
  Support participants from all areas of the prison, generate referrals to the programme, and build your caseloads; ability to influence and engage with the wider prison community is key.

• Communication
  
  Skills:
  
  Ability to engage, motivate, persuade, and listen – building strong connections with those you support and stakeholders you work alongside.
• Safeguarding awareness:
  Identify safeguarding risks and be supported following any challenging interventions.
• IT and Administrative skills:
  Keep meticulous records of every interaction to measure client progress and ensure effective interventions.
• Resilience:
  Stay committed and see things through even when the role is challenging and results may take time.
• Enhanced DBS check and HMPPS EL1 vetting required. Successful candidates will have a start date minimum 6 weeks from offer to allow time for clearance.

• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to trade for additional leave.
• EAP Support programme available 24/7, including 6 free counselling sessions.
• Private medical insurance and life assurance.
• Up to 2 days of Community Giving (volunteering) each year.
• Eyecare vouchers for glasses or eye care.
• Online shopping discounts.
• Cycle to work scheme and travel season ticket loan.
• Long service awards.
• Salary finance offering financial education and advice.
• Opportunities to purchase extra benefits such as critical illness cover and dental insurance.

We understand that everyone’s journey is different, and we’re committed to making our recruitment process as inclusive and accessible as possible.