Engagement Worker

About the role

As a Forensic Mental Health Recovery Worker, you will be part of a multidisciplinary support system around each person. You will work closely with colleagues, managers and external professionals to deliver structured, person-centred support in accordance with agreed care plans, risk assessments, licence or discharge conditions and wider professional recommendations.

People using our services may have experienced long periods in hospital, secure environments or the criminal justice system. Some may have diagnoses such as schizophrenia, personality disorder, autism, learning disability or co-occurring substance misuse needs. Others may be subject to Ministry of Justice restrictions, Section 37/41 conditions, MAPPA arrangements or probation oversight.

Your role will be to help translate complex professional plans into practical day-to-day support that promotes stability, responsibility, recovery and safer community living.

What you will be doing

• Build professional, respectful and consistent working relationships with the people you support.
• Help individuals identify and work towards meaningful recovery, resettlement and independence goals.
• Support people to understand and follow agreed risk management arrangements, restrictions and professional recommendations.
• Contribute to structured support planning and regular reviews.
• Support daily living skills, budgeting, appointments, shopping, tenancy responsibilities and community participation.
• Promote positive routines around sleep, nutrition, wellbeing, appointments and medication.
• Recognise signs of relapse, distress, disengagement or increased risk and escalate concerns promptly.
• Support individuals to develop strategies for managing triggers, stress, impulsivity or emotional dysregulation.
• Encourage engagement with clinical teams, probation, social care professionals, substance misuse services and other relevant agencies.
• Record support interventions, incidents, observations and outcomes accurately and professionally.
• Contribute to shift handovers and ensure relevant risk information is communicated appropriately.
• Support individuals to build healthy social networks and reduce isolation.
• Encourage safer decision-making and accountability while maintaining a non-judgemental approach.
• Support gradual community reintegration in accordance with agreed plans.

Forensic and risk-focused practice

This role requires a strong understanding of the relationship between recovery, risk and public protection. You will be expected to work confidently within structured risk management arrangements while maintaining a strengths-based and person-centred approach.

You may support individuals whose care plans include specific requirements around contact, substances, community access, relationships, finances, appointments, medication adherence or reporting arrangements. You must be able to follow these plans consistently and understand why apparently small changes in presentation or behaviour may be clinically or operationally significant.

You will not be expected to make decisions outside your authority, but you will be expected to recognise when something has changed, document it accurately and escalate it without delay.

Recovery and community reintegration

Forensic recovery is about more than reducing risk. It is also about helping people build lives that are meaningful, structured and sustainable.

You may support individuals to develop skills and confidence in areas such as:

• Managing a tenancy and maintaining a home
• Budgeting and everyday money management
• Using public transport safely
• Attending education, volunteering or employment-related opportunities
• Building appropriate social relationships
• Developing healthier daily routines
• Managing appointments and professional commitments
• Recognising triggers and relapse indicators
• Reducing substance-related risk
• Developing coping strategies and emotional regulation skills
• Preparing for future reductions in support where appropriate

Working with professionals

Strong partnership working is central to this role. Depending on the individual, you may communicate with:

• Community Mental Health Teams
• Forensic community teams
• Psychiatrists and psychologists
• Social workers
• Care coordinators
• Probation practitioners
• MAPPA partners
• Substance misuse services
• GPs and other healthcare professionals
• Local authority commissioners
• Families and carers where appropriate

You will be expected to share relevant information appropriately, maintain professional boundaries and contribute to coordinated risk management and recovery planning.

What we are looking for

• Previous experience in mental health, forensic services, supported living, criminal justice, homelessness or another complex-needs environment.
• A calm, respectful and non-judgemental approach.
• Confidence working with people who may present with complex or challenging behaviour.
• Good understanding of safeguarding, professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Ability to follow detailed support plans and risk management strategies.
• Strong written communication and record-keeping skills.
• Ability to recognise and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Ability to work independently while remaining accountable to the wider team.
• Good emotional resilience and ability to remain professional under pressure.
• A genuine commitment to rehabilitation, recovery and community inclusion.

Desirable knowledge and experience

• Experience of Section 37/41 or conditional discharge pathways.
• Understanding of MAPPA and multi-agency risk management.
• Experience supporting people leaving hospital, secure care or prison.
• Knowledge of relapse prevention and recovery planning.
• Experience working with personality disorder or complex emotional needs.
• Knowledge of positive behaviour support.
• Experience supporting people with co-occurring substance misuse needs.
• Level 2 or Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care, Mental Health, Community Justice or a related field.

Professional responsibilities

You will be expected to work in accordance with Moreways Healthcare policies, safeguarding procedures, agreed support plans and relevant legal and professional requirements.

You must maintain accurate records, report incidents appropriately, protect confidential information and work within the limits of your role and competence.

Where required, you will complete service-specific training relating to mental health, forensic risk, safeguarding, medication, positive behaviour support, conflict management and other relevant areas.

What success looks like

Success in this role is not measured simply by completing tasks. It is reflected in safer decision-making, improved engagement, stronger daily routines, reduced risk, better use of community resources and meaningful progress towards greater independence.

For some people, progress may be gradual. Consistency, patience and professional curiosity are therefore essential.

Career development

This role can provide valuable experience for progression into positions such as Senior Recovery Worker, Lead Support Worker, Team Leader, Service Coordinator, Deputy Manager or other specialist mental health and forensic support roles.

Depending on your qualifications and career goals, it may also provide useful experience for further study in nursing, psychology, social work, occupational therapy or other health and social care professions.

Ready to make a meaningful difference?

If you are resilient, compassionate, professionally curious and able to combine strong boundaries with genuine belief in people’s capacity for change, we would welcome your application.