Job vacancy

We are currently recruiting for talented, ambitious and caring staff to help deliver a major new pan-London service supporting people with personality disorders to resettle in the community and lead happy, healthy lives, free from crime.

As part of the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) pathway, Penrose will be providing supported accommodation for 12 men and 4 women across three residential sites in Lambeth, Lewisham and Redbridge. Working in partnership with NHS England and HMPPS and receiving referrals from the National Probation Service, we will support men and women in the pathway being released from prison, secure healthcare settings or moving on from Approved Premises. Our 24-hour service will provide far more than a roof over people’s heads; it will offer a base for a range of 1-1 and group interventions, delivered by our teams and by external partners, that will equip residents with the skills and confidence to move on safely into independent living.

The Night Engagement Worker role will be based in our Women's service in Lambeth, The post holder will work as an vital member of the Offender Personality Disorder Housing and Support Service. Working in collaboration with the National Probation Service and other partners within the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway, you will support adult females who have recently been released from prison, secure health settings or who are moving on from Approved Premises.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference supporting some of the most complex people in the criminal justice system and helping make communities safer. We are looking for experienced staff who have the skills and ability to support and engage residents with a non-judgemental attitude within an enabling environment.

Key Responsibilities: 

• To be creative in involving the service users in meetings which ensures they remain at the centre of the discussion and make choices and decisions.
• To support service users to achieve their goals, in line with their support plan.
• As part of service users support plan, to liaise with external professionals, e.g. GP’s, probation officer, Care Coordinators etc.
• Understanding of Risk Management within a Criminal Justice environment
• Facilitate and or support group sessions
• Ensure there is genuine engagement with the service users using appropriate methodologies and interventions
• Provide / arrange for various advice, advocacy and or information to service users in relation to physical health matters, substance misuse welfare benefits, education, employment and training, life skills and any other identified support needs.
• To positively respond to service users who may need assistance, seeking the support of the appropriate manager if necessary, in emergencies.
• Assist the staff team in managing security and safety, health & safety, maintenance, rent/charges collection, arrears and void control.
• Assist service users with arrangements for moving into the property, ensuring benefits are applied for, utilities connected, maintenance problems resolved, and that the property is properly furnished.
• Liaison with Agencies and Local Community
• Ensure timely information sharing with Offender Managers and other key stakeholders to support robust risk management and positive resettlement outcomes

Experience Required:

• A degree in psychology or equivalent / NVQ / Diploma level 3 in Health & Social Care / Community Justice or professional equivalent
• A good working understanding of personality disorders and models of treatment intervention especially when working with vulnerable individuals
• Experience in risk assessment and risk management
• Experience of working with vulnerable individuals who may have mental health issues / substance misuse / challenging chaotic behaviours
• Experience of successful reintegration of service users into the community
• Understanding and practical application of key legislation regarding social care, housing, criminal justice and mental health

Because of the nature of the duties of this post, it is an occupational requirement that the post holder is female and the post is therefore exempt from the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 in terms of Schedule 9, Part 1, and Paragraph 1 of that Act.