Job Description

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Senior Support Worker to join our service! Options for Change is a standard Intensive Intervention and Risk Management Service (IIRMS), part of the OPD Pathway delivered by Midlands Partnership University Foundation NHS Trust, in partnership with the Probation Service. The service works directly with a small number of people on probation who have screened onto the OPD pathway, who are considered high-risk individuals when leaving prison, to support them to succeed in their transition to living in the community.
You will work as a member of the team contributing to the running of a community drop-in service for service users. You will use your strong interpersonal skills to support people to engage in the service. Taking a trauma informed approach to the role, you will help to empower people on probation to achieve their goals and aspirations. You will be responsible for carrying out assigned tasks as part of the IIRMS service, working autonomously and flexibly.
We can offer you a strong commitment to training, supervision and appraisals to support your CPD whilst you are in post. This role provides a great opportunity to understand the role of a qualified psychologist working in a probation setting to improve the psychological outcomes for people on probation. We welcome applications from anyone who enjoys teamwork and working with people with complex needs.
Main duties of the job
You will be an integral part of a small team, working under the supervision of a qualified psychologist, collaboratively working with people on probation.
The post is for a full-time Senior Support Worker (working 37.5 hours per week) for Options for Change IIRMS in Leicestershire. You will be required to travel to locations within Leicestershire and sometimes to neighbouring counties. There may also be some scope to work from home.
You will have a duty of care to those in need, providing high quality, inclusive and non-judgemental assessment and support. You will be motivated to support service users to develop the social networks and skills that they require to develop positive coping mechanisms, to guide them towards reintegrating successfully into the wider community.
About us
By joining Team MPFT, you will be helping your communities and in return for this, we will support you by;

• Supporting your career development and progression
• Excellent NHS Pension scheme
• Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Options for flexible working
• Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days)
• Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources
• If you work in our community teams, we pay for your time travelling between patients
• Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate
• Salary sacrifice car - fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, mileage paid at business rates
• Salary sacrifice bikes up to 2k
• Free car parking at all trust sites
• Free flu vaccinations every year
• Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to 250 (if the criteria is met)

We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people.
Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Details
Date posted
16 June 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 3
Salary
24,625 to 25,674 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
301-LBG-25-7272225
Job locations
Leicester Probation Office
Leicester
LE1 2LB
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the and Person Specification for further details, a summary is below.
Working with service users, team members and external agencies, to promote service users recovery and supporting their transition from in-patient/custodial settings to community living.
Working with service users in custody, prior to release, to improve engagement and support a successful transition.
Support the delivery of a community drop-in service and develop/maintain links with community groups and voluntary organisations.
Support service users living in the community to attend appointments relevant to their health and social care needs.
Under the supervision of the Clinical Lead to support the implementation of psycho-social interventions.
To provide practical support to service users in developing their independence and with issues related to benefits and welfare rights.
Support the assessment of risk of harm to self and others.
Will be responsible for liaising with multiple agencies, criminal justice system and other partners. Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the and Person Specification for further details, a summary is below.
Working with service users, team members and external agencies, to promote service users recovery and supporting their transition from in-patient/custodial settings to community living.
Working with service users in custody, prior to release, to improve engagement and support a successful transition.
Support the delivery of a community drop-in service and develop/maintain links with community groups and voluntary organisations.
Support service users living in the community to attend appointments relevant to their health and social care needs.
Under the supervision of the Clinical Lead to support the implementation of psycho-social interventions.
To provide practical support to service users in developing their independence and with issues related to benefits and welfare rights.
Support the assessment of risk of harm to self and others.
Will be responsible for liaising with multiple agencies, criminal justice system and other partners.
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Essential

• Competent in literacy and numeracy.
• Basic knowledge of physical/mental health conditions and rehabilitation.
• Computer Literacy

Desirable

• NVQ Level 2 Health & Social Care or equivalent of.
• Adult/Child Safeguarding Training
• Training in Supporting/Mentoring

Experience
Essential

• Experience working with individuals with a complex range of health and social care needs.
• Experience and/or sound knowledge of the Criminal Justice System.
• Experience of working in a community based setting.
• Experience of implementing personalised care plans or rehabilitation plans.
• Experience of individual and group work.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a NHS/HMPPS setting.
• Experience of working with trauma.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES
Essential

• Awareness of a range of vulnerabilities. An awareness of the impact of vulnerabilities on individuals.
• A basic understanding of the Mental Health Act 1983(07).
• A willingness to reflect and critically appraise own performance.

Desirable

• Knowledge of relational security.
• Aware of local community based services.

Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Essential

• Competent in literacy and numeracy.
• Basic knowledge of physical/mental health conditions and rehabilitation.
• Computer Literacy

Desirable

• NVQ Level 2 Health & Social Care or equivalent of.
• Adult/Child Safeguarding Training
• Training in Supporting/Mentoring

Experience
Essential

• Experience working with individuals with a complex range of health and social care needs.
• Experience and/or sound knowledge of the Criminal Justice System.
• Experience of working in a community based setting.
• Experience of implementing personalised care plans or rehabilitation plans.
• Experience of individual and group work.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a NHS/HMPPS setting.
• Experience of working with trauma.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES
Essential

• Awareness of a range of vulnerabilities. An awareness of the impact of vulnerabilities on individuals.
• A basic understanding of the Mental Health Act 1983(07).
• A willingness to reflect and critically appraise own performance.

Desirable

• Knowledge of relational security.
• Aware of local community based services.

NHS