Health Care Assistant

We re looking for a compassionate and motivated Health Care Assistant to join our integrated healthcare team based across HMP Send and HMP Coldingley in Surrey, working full time, 35 hours per week. This is a rewarding opportunity to support individuals with complex drug and alcohol needs while making a genuine difference within a custodial healthcare setting. Working alongside Registered Nurses and a multidisciplinary team, you ll deliver high-quality nursing care and psychosocial interventions tailored to individual recovery journeys. From clinical assessments and harm reduction support to 1:1 sessions and group work, you ll play a vital role in helping clients improve their health, wellbeing and long-term outcomes. What You ll Be Doing

• Delivering person-centred care and recovery-focused interventions
• Supporting clinical assessments, care planning and health promotion
• Running structured 1:1 sessions and group work programmes
• Supporting clients with harm reduction and behaviour change strategies
• Monitoring physical and mental wellbeing within a prison healthcare setting
• Maintaining accurate clinical records and care plans on SystemOne
• Working closely with internal and external agencies to support continuity of care
  
  Experience working within healthcare, substance misuse or mental health services
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality and professional boundaries
• Confidence managing a caseload and prioritising workload effectively
• Awareness of the unique challenges and safety requirements within a custodial environment
This is an opportunity to be part of a supportive and purpose-driven team where your work genuinely changes lives. You ll receive ongoing support, training and development while contributing to safer communities and better outcomes for vulnerable individuals. If you re passionate about recovery, rehabilitation and delivering outstanding care, we d love to hear from you.

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 build 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.

We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us an employee, we will offer you the following benefits -
• Flexible working
• Training and development opportunities
• 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)
Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work Dependent on role you may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check, details of which will be shared with you at interview. If successful in your application, you will be required to provide eligibility to work evidence in line with the Eligibility to Work in the UK requirements. Our Commitment to Safeguarding We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. Forward Trust follow safer recruitment practices and support a culture of openness and accountability.