Prison Link Worker
| Posting date: | 19 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £31,022 - NJC fixed point 17 |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 18 June 2026 |
| Location: | Manchester, M16 9AB |
| Company: | The Big Life Group |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 773 |
Summary
Job Advert
About The Big Life Group
The Big Life Group’s mission is to fight for equity, in health, in wealth and in life. We are a social business delivering a range
of services across the North of England, covering everything from mental and physical health, addiction and criminal justice, to
housing, education, family support and much more. What links them together is the way we work – The Big Life Way.
We always stand shoulder-to shoulder with people, working with them on the things that matter most to them. Everything we do is
designed and informed by the needs, priorities and strengths of people and communities.
Our values
* Courage: We stand up for ourselves, and the people and communities we work alongside, even when that makes us unpopular, or
challenges accepted wisdom.
* Creativity: We find innovative solutions that work, never accepting the easy option or the status quo.
* Honesty: We act with integrity, speaking the truth to ourselves and others.
* Inspiration: We are inspired by the people and communities we work with and share what we learn from them to inspire others.
* Thoughtful: We act with care and compassion and work to understand people’s experiences. We take time to listen, reflect and
continually learn.
* Valuing difference: We recognise and celebrate the unique qualities, gifts, insights and perspectives that different people
offer.
Working at Big Life
At Big Life, work is more than a job – it’s about standing shoulder-to-shoulder with people and communities, making a difference
every day. We fight for equity in health, in wealth and in life, and that commitment starts with how our staff.
Be yourself
We want you to feel safe, respected and able to bring your whole self to work. Difference is celebrated here, and our staff
networks - from menopause to neurodiversity, LGBTQI+ and more - create space to connect and support each other.
Benefits that matter
We offer more than a payslip - you’ll find wellbeing support through LifeWorks, Simply Health and mindfulness sessions, 25-30
days’ annual leave plus your birthday off, flexible working, and regular learning opportunities. Everyday perks include Blue Light
Card discounts, savings schemes, cycle-to-work, free eye tests and more - little extras to make life easier inside and outside of
work.
Recognised as outstanding
We’re proud to be ranked by Best Companies as one of the UK’s outstanding places to work, with a two-star accreditation in 2024.
A culture of trust and flexibility
Our people describe our culture as relaxed and supportive. You’ll be trusted to plan your own day, take breaks when you need, and
work in a way that fits with your life as well as your role.
If you’re looking for more than a job - if you want to be part of a team that’s bold, creative and relentlessly committed to
equity – then Big Life could be the place for you.
Job description: Prison Link Worker
The basics
Salary
£31,022 (NJC point 17)
Hours
35 hours per week (Fixed term until 30 September 2027)
Annual leave
25 days, increasing to 30 days after five years
Base
Various locations across Greater Manchester
Line manager
Team Leader
Closing date for applications
Friday, 5 June
Interviews will take place on Monday, 15 June
What you’ll be doing
As a Prison Link Worker, you’ll be supporting the transition of people being released from prison on licence, identifying and
supporting the needs of People on Probation across Greater Manchester.
You will facilitate the gate pick-ups for People on Probation on release day, liaising with prisons and pre-release teams to
ensure that things run smoothly in line with release times and transportation. You will also be responsible for accompanying them
to agreed destinations, including probation offices, agreed accommodations, women’s centres and wellbeing hubs.
Where appropriate, you will also meet people in prison who have been referred to the Wellbeing Service as part of a pre-release
plan, providing consistent support in the lead-up to their release. This may involve multiple visits to help address the reasons
for referral and accompanying them to a wellbeing hub in their locality to support progress around rehabilitation.
Due to the nature of the role candidates must be able to drive and have access to a car for work purposes.
Candidates will also be required to successfully pass enhanced security vetting check required by HMPPS.
For the full recruitment pack, including the job description and the person specification, please go to: Vacancies Archive - The
Big Life Group [https://www.thebiglifegroup.com/work-volunteer/opportunities/]
Please use the person specification whilst completing your application.
About The Big Life Group
The Big Life Group’s mission is to fight for equity, in health, in wealth and in life. We are a social business delivering a range
of services across the North of England, covering everything from mental and physical health, addiction and criminal justice, to
housing, education, family support and much more. What links them together is the way we work – The Big Life Way.
We always stand shoulder-to shoulder with people, working with them on the things that matter most to them. Everything we do is
designed and informed by the needs, priorities and strengths of people and communities.
Our values
* Courage: We stand up for ourselves, and the people and communities we work alongside, even when that makes us unpopular, or
challenges accepted wisdom.
* Creativity: We find innovative solutions that work, never accepting the easy option or the status quo.
* Honesty: We act with integrity, speaking the truth to ourselves and others.
* Inspiration: We are inspired by the people and communities we work with and share what we learn from them to inspire others.
* Thoughtful: We act with care and compassion and work to understand people’s experiences. We take time to listen, reflect and
continually learn.
* Valuing difference: We recognise and celebrate the unique qualities, gifts, insights and perspectives that different people
offer.
Working at Big Life
At Big Life, work is more than a job – it’s about standing shoulder-to-shoulder with people and communities, making a difference
every day. We fight for equity in health, in wealth and in life, and that commitment starts with how our staff.
Be yourself
We want you to feel safe, respected and able to bring your whole self to work. Difference is celebrated here, and our staff
networks - from menopause to neurodiversity, LGBTQI+ and more - create space to connect and support each other.
Benefits that matter
We offer more than a payslip - you’ll find wellbeing support through LifeWorks, Simply Health and mindfulness sessions, 25-30
days’ annual leave plus your birthday off, flexible working, and regular learning opportunities. Everyday perks include Blue Light
Card discounts, savings schemes, cycle-to-work, free eye tests and more - little extras to make life easier inside and outside of
work.
Recognised as outstanding
We’re proud to be ranked by Best Companies as one of the UK’s outstanding places to work, with a two-star accreditation in 2024.
A culture of trust and flexibility
Our people describe our culture as relaxed and supportive. You’ll be trusted to plan your own day, take breaks when you need, and
work in a way that fits with your life as well as your role.
If you’re looking for more than a job - if you want to be part of a team that’s bold, creative and relentlessly committed to
equity – then Big Life could be the place for you.
Job description: Prison Link Worker
The basics
Salary
£31,022 (NJC point 17)
Hours
35 hours per week (Fixed term until 30 September 2027)
Annual leave
25 days, increasing to 30 days after five years
Base
Various locations across Greater Manchester
Line manager
Team Leader
Closing date for applications
Friday, 5 June
Interviews will take place on Monday, 15 June
What you’ll be doing
As a Prison Link Worker, you’ll be supporting the transition of people being released from prison on licence, identifying and
supporting the needs of People on Probation across Greater Manchester.
You will facilitate the gate pick-ups for People on Probation on release day, liaising with prisons and pre-release teams to
ensure that things run smoothly in line with release times and transportation. You will also be responsible for accompanying them
to agreed destinations, including probation offices, agreed accommodations, women’s centres and wellbeing hubs.
Where appropriate, you will also meet people in prison who have been referred to the Wellbeing Service as part of a pre-release
plan, providing consistent support in the lead-up to their release. This may involve multiple visits to help address the reasons
for referral and accompanying them to a wellbeing hub in their locality to support progress around rehabilitation.
Due to the nature of the role candidates must be able to drive and have access to a car for work purposes.
Candidates will also be required to successfully pass enhanced security vetting check required by HMPPS.
For the full recruitment pack, including the job description and the person specification, please go to: Vacancies Archive - The
Big Life Group [https://www.thebiglifegroup.com/work-volunteer/opportunities/]
Please use the person specification whilst completing your application.