Job summary
This post offers an exciting opportunity to provide social, practical and occupational support to individuals within the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway, a partnership between NHS England and His Majesty's Prison and Probation Services (HMPPS). The post holder will be working across Durham and Cleveland, alongside our regional teams in Cumbria, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear, as part of CNTW's Secure Care community services.
Rebuilding Lives offers support to people who have committed violent offences and present with personality difficulties, which may affect their day-to-day function. The aim of the pathway is to reduce risk of reoffending, by helping the individual understand factors that contribute to this, and to develop pro-social life skills and coping strategies. Our service delivery is psychologically informed, but the role involves a primary focus on practical living skills needed for people making a transition from custody to community and sustaining this successfully.
The post offers a number of CPD opportunities and we encourage personal and professional development via supervision, CPD and training activities. The post is an excellent opportunity for individuals who wish to develop careers in health, justice and social care, such as Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Psychology, or the Probation service.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work under the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist, alongside colleagues from Psychology and Probation. They will contribute to assessment, formulation and intervention plans, and deliver practically based interventions and support. There is an emphasis on activities of daily living, and partnership working with local agencies to support community skills and integration. Tasks include supporting service users to access vocational, educational and social activities, help with benefits application, budgeting and sustaining tenancies, and developing other life skills. The role also includes helping people address emotional or relational factors that may lead to difficulties in everyday life.
Our service users have convictions for violent and/or sexual offences. There are thorough risk assessment process for our community-based work but should you require more information please contact us to discuss the role.
About us
We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.
NHS Employees identified as at risk of compulsory redundancy and those eligible for the NENC Re-Deployment careers hub will receive prior consideration
Job description
Job responsibilities
Interviews will be held in person in mid January 2026 (date and location to be confirmed).
The post will involve regular travel to and work within probation offices and Approved Premises across Durham and Cleveland, as well as within the local communities, and on occasion prisons across the North East and wider regions. Expenses are reimbursed for travel outside of home to base journeys. Travel across such a wide area, including both urban and semi-rural locations can present some challenges, as the post holder may need to visit several venues during their working day. To assist with these demands, we support flexible working for example carrying out some duties (where appropriate) via TEAMS or other online platforms.
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 2nd December 2025
Closing date : 16th December 2025
We welcome your application.
Please note - this vacancy may close early once a suitable number of applications are received.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Interviews will be held in person in mid January 2026 (date and location to be confirmed).
The post will involve regular travel to and work within probation offices and Approved Premises across Durham and Cleveland, as well as within the local communities, and on occasion prisons across the North East and wider regions. Expenses are reimbursed for travel outside of home to base journeys. Travel across such a wide area, including both urban and semi-rural locations can present some challenges, as the post holder may need to visit several venues during their working day. To assist with these demands, we support flexible working for example carrying out some duties (where appropriate) via TEAMS or other online platforms.
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 2nd December 2025
Closing date : 16th December 2025
We welcome your application.
Please note - this vacancy may close early once a suitable number of applications are received.
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
- Foundation degree in applied social studies or alternative (NVQ/BTEC/QCF) with additional training to diploma level equivalent in the speciality field.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with complex mental health presentation and needs
- Experience of working in a relevant community setting
- Experience of group and 1:1 activity facilitation.
Desirable
- Understanding of personality difficulties and impact on function and engagement
- Experience of delivering training to others
Skills & Competencies
Essential
- Ability to work autonomously without direct supervision
- Ability to present information in verbal and written formats
- IT literacy
Desirable
- Ability to work in a variety of health and criminal justice settings
- Ability to work as part of a team
Personal Characteristics
Essential
- Time management and organisational skills
- Ability to manage emotionally challenging situations
Desirable
- Ability to meet the mobility and travel demands of the post
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
- Foundation degree in applied social studies or alternative (NVQ/BTEC/QCF) with additional training to diploma level equivalent in the speciality field.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with complex mental health presentation and needs
- Experience of working in a relevant community setting
- Experience of group and 1:1 activity facilitation.
Desirable
- Understanding of personality difficulties and impact on function and engagement
- Experience of delivering training to others
Skills & Competencies
Essential
- Ability to work autonomously without direct supervision
- Ability to present information in verbal and written formats
- IT literacy
Desirable
- Ability to work in a variety of health and criminal justice settings
- Ability to work as part of a team
Personal Characteristics
Essential
- Time management and organisational skills
- Ability to manage emotionally challenging situations
Desirable
- Ability to meet the mobility and travel demands of the post
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.
