Job summary
Please note - this role does not offer sponsorship.

Reconnect Practitioner: This role requires supporting people primarily in the area of North Cumbria, though will require cover across other areas of Cumbria as required by service need.

Essential: Degree qualification in relevant subject or demonstrable evidence or equivalent experience relevant to field of practice
Desirable: Professional recognised qualification such as RMN, Learning Disability Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist.

• Psychology Degree
• CBT Diploma
• Substance Misuse Diploma

The post holder will work within the ReConnect Care after Custody for Lancashire & Cumbria, covering 6 prisons & also the wider community of Lancashire & Cumbria. Reconnect is a triage, assessment, referral & support service and starts working with people before they leave prison, where they will have access to Reconnect practitioners, engagement practitioners & Peer Support Workers, helping them to make the transition to community-based services. It is offered to people in prison up to 12 weeks prior to release, & up to 6 months support post release.

Vetting and Clearances:

• LSCFT staff entering the prison or probation estate will be subject to HMPPS security vetting carried out by National Offender Management Service and will be required to undergo Enhanced Level 1 vetting.
• The post holder is also expected to have Enhanced DBS status.
• The post holder should have lived in the UK for at least 3 years.

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 Reconnect Practitioner role will identify and respond to requests to screen and assess people with vulnerabilities for persons who are approaching release from Her Majesty's Prisons and subsequently provide support within the community upon their release from prison. Referrals will be identified and received where there have been concerns that an individual has mental health issues, learning disability, substance misuse, social care, safeguarding or other vulnerabilities.

Assessment will consider the emotional wellbeing, cultural and gender needs, age and development related needs, including transition to adulthood and older person needs, social circumstances (including, relationships, leisure requirements, daily living, educational and occupational needs, employment/vocational needs, housing, finance) of those referred to ReConnect.

About us
LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. If you'd like to discuss your application, please ask.

We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

LSCFT support 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 and flexi-time.

The wellbeing of our people is at the heart of everything we do. We offer a wide range of resources, tools and support to help you thrive both in and out of work.

Explore our full wellbeing offer here: Keeping our workforce well

Details
Date posted
10 August 2026

Pay scheme
Agenda for change

Band
Band 5

Salary
£32,073 to £39,043 a year

per annum

Contract
Permanent

Working pattern
Full-time

Reference number
351-BAY1070-MF

Job locations
North Cumbria - TBC

North Cumbria

CA1 3NQ

United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
For more details on this vacancy please review the attached job description and person specification.

Job description

Job responsibilities
For more details on this vacancy please review the attached job description and person specification.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Degree qualification in relevant subject or demonstrable evidence or equivalent experience relevant to field of practice

Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of mental health issues and/or learning disability
• Knowledge of Criminal Justice System, including roles and responsibilities of staff working in it
• Knowledge of use and interpretation of health screening tools

Experience
Essential

• Working with people with complex needs either whilst studying or post qualification
• Lone working
• Initial Assessment of Health and Social Needs
• Assessment of Risk of Service Users to self and others

Person Specification

Qualifications
Essential

• Degree qualification in relevant subject or demonstrable evidence or equivalent experience relevant to field of practice

Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of mental health issues and/or learning disability
• Knowledge of Criminal Justice System, including roles and responsibilities of staff working in it
• Knowledge of use and interpretation of health screening tools

Experience
Essential

• Working with people with complex needs either whilst studying or post qualification
• Lone working
• Initial Assessment of Health and Social Needs
• Assessment of Risk of Service Users to self and others

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details
Employer name
Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address
North Cumbria - TBC

North Cumbria

CA1 3NQ

United Kingdom

Employer's website
https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details
Employer name
Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address
North Cumbria - TBC

North Cumbria

CA1 3NQ

United Kingdom

Employer's website
https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Clinical Lead

Alison Foreman

alison.foreman@lscft.nhs.uk

07507846008

Details
Date posted
10 August 2026

Pay scheme
Agenda for change

Band
Band 5

Salary
£32,073 to £39,043 a year

per annum

Contract
Permanent

Working pattern
Full-time

Reference number
351-BAY1070-MF

Job locations
North Cumbria - TBC

North Cumbria

CA1 3NQ

United Kingdom

Supporting documents
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