Release Engagement Practitioner
The closing date is 18 November 2025
Job summary
Release Engagement Practitioner:
Essential: Diploma in Health and/or Social Care or equivalent experienceLevel 3 NVQ in health related subject
Desirable: Foundation degree within a relevant field e.g. health, psychology, criminology etc (or equivalent qualification/ reflected experience).
The post holder will work within the Reconnect Care after Custody service for Lancashire and Cumbria, covering 6 prisons and the wider community of Lancashire and Cumbria. Reconnect is a triage, assessment, referral and support service and starts working with people before they leave prison, where they will have access to a Reconnect practitioners and support practitioners, helping them to make the transition to community-based services that will provide the health and care support that they need. It is offered to people in prison up to 3 months prior to release, and up to 6 months support post release.
Main duties of the job
Reconnect will create an effective link between prison & community in order to:
- increase access & uptake up of healthcare or relevant support services for vulnerable individuals who would otherwise struggle to engage
- reduce health inequalities for prison leavers
- ensure the health needs of individuals who are leaving prison are met
- ensure a safe transition from prison to community-based healthcare & support services & to provide follow-up to ensure engagement is maintained.
The post holder will actively engage and work with a number of individuals who are likely to have a wide range of vulnerabilities and complex needs, including homelessness, substance misuse problems, mental health, significant risk histories and social exclusion, and who at times may present with extremely challenging behaviours. They will support people to access services for the full scope of vulnerabilities as identified
Please note that hybrid working is necessary due to the area of coverage - involving some working from home and utilising other trust sites as a bases as required
About us
Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including secondary mental health care across this area. Specialist provision comprises inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, perinatal mental health and forensic services including low and medium secure care.
The Trust also provides a range of physical health and well-being services in the community alongside a range of partners in the Lancashire, Cumbria and Sefton area.
Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust encourages flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as; term time, part time, compressed hours, flexi-time and career breaks. We encourage applicants to state clearly on their application forms this request and discuss these options at interview.
For more information please visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT.
Details
Date posted
04 November 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 4
Salary
£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
351-SPS1515-MF
Job locations
Parlick Centre, Guild Lodge
Preston
PR3 2JH
Employer details
Employer name
Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Parlick Centre, Guild Lodge
Preston
PR3 2JH
Employer's website
https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Supporting documents
Privacy notice
Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)