Community Integration Officer

**Job description**:
Job Title: Community Integration Officer

Location: Blackpool

**Salary**: £24,420-28,000 (dependent on experience)

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

**About First Kick Foundation**

First Kick Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation committed to improving physical and mental wellbeing through accessible sport, health, and enrichment programmes. We work with children, young people, and families across Preston and the wider North West — delivering school-based sport, HAF holiday provision, and targeted community initiatives that create real impact.

As we continue to grow, we are seeking an organised, driven, and community-focused Community Integration Officer, to lead the effective, impactful and sustainable delivery of First Kick Foundation's community rehabilitation offer, which supports adults engaged in the criminal justice system to sustainably develop the confidence and skills to realise and achieve their potential.

**Role Overview**

The Community Integration Officer will play a vital role in supporting service users identified by probation and Integrated Offender Management (IOM) officers. You will work with individuals pre
- and post-release from custody, providing tailored one-to-one mentoring, advocacy, and practical support.

Your focus will be on stabilisation, personal development, and sustainable reintegration — helping participants overcome barriers linked to housing, health, finance, and social relationships while supporting them to build confidence, skills, and positive pathways.

This is a challenging but highly rewarding role for someone passionate about rehabilitation, community safety, and social justice.

**Key Responsibilities**

**Custody to Community Mentoring & Support**
- Provide trauma-informed and person-centred mentoring to individuals in custody and the community.
- Build positive relationships with service users to establish trust, stability, and engagement.
- Support individuals to understand licence conditions, expectations of release, and pathways to reintegration.
- Facilitate personal development plans, including life skills, resilience, and wellbeing goals.

**Partnership & Multi-Agency Working**
- Collaborate with probation officers, IOM colleagues, and prison staff (e.g. HMP Preston resettlement teams).
- Attend multi-agency planning meetings with probation, mentors, and service users.
- Act as a key link between service users and trusted partners across housing, health, finance, and training providers.
- Represent First Kick Foundation at community forums, stakeholder meetings, and partnership events.

**Programme Delivery & Evaluation**
- Deliver tailored support across the four programme phases: Stabilisation, Personal Development, Skills Development, and Pathway Development.
- Facilitate access to accredited training (e.g. Level 2 Leadership, Employability, Enterprise) and supported work placements.
- Support service users to engage with sports-based mentoring and enrichment activities.
- Use diagnostic tools to assess needs and track progress.

**Administration & Compliance**
- Maintain accurate records of service user engagement, risk assessments, and case notes.
- Ensure all work is delivered in line with safeguarding, GDPR, and health & safety requirements.
- Contribute to monitoring reports for funders and stakeholders.
- Escalate safeguarding concerns appropriately and promptly.

**Person Specification**

**Essential**
- Experience in offender rehabilitation, youth justice, probation, resettlement, or community engagement.
- Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to work with individuals with complex needs.
- Knowledge of safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, and inclusive working methods.
- Organised and resilient, with the ability to manage challenging situations and competing priorities.
- Commitment to reducing reoffending and improving community safety.

**Desirable**
- Experience working in or alongside probation, prisons, or criminal justice services.
- Knowledge of housing, health, or employment pathways for vulnerable individuals.
- Experience in mentoring, coaching, or advocacy.
- Skills in group facilitation, sports-based interventions, or community workshops.
- Relevant qualification in criminology, youth work, social work, community development, or related field.

**What We Offer**

A varied and rewarding role in a values-driven charity
Supportive and collaborative team culture
Training, personal development, and progression opportunities
Competitive salary, generous annual leave, and wellbeing days

**How to Apply**

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £24,420.00-£28,000.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Company pension
- Work from home

Work Location: On the road

Reference ID: Community Integration 1
Expected start date: 01/10/2025