The Bridge Project is a long‑established charity in the heart of Bradford, dedicated to supporting people facing complex challenges such as substance use, homelessness, offending behaviours, and social disadvantage. We play a vital role in reducing inequalities by offering accessible, person-centred support, empowering individuals to overcome barriers and build healthier, more independent lives.
We are excited to share the launch of a newly established, trauma‑informed service, Bridge-Ways. Its main aim is to reduce prison recalls and improve resettlement outcomes for people leaving custody who present with multiple needs, sometimes described as complex needs. We are seeking a Navigator on a full-time basis to join the team.
The service works intensively with those at elevated risk of recall, especially individuals facing housing insecurity. Through early engagement before release, the Navigator will form meaningful connections with beneficiaries (via online meetings and possibly face to face meetings) to support beneficiaries to make informed decisions about their transition from prison. The goal is to prevent unnecessary recalls.
The Navigator will focus on the following key areas:
Early engagement with people in custody: Providing support to individuals prior to release, building relationships, identifying potential risks, and assessing housing and support needs.
Intensive, person-centred navigation: Establishing trust and working closely with individuals as they move from custody to the community. This includes offering both practical and emotional support, securing emergency or approved accommodation, assisting individuals to understand and comply with licence conditions, providing daily outreach post-release, and advocating at appointments with Housing Options, health services, and other partners.
Activate and sustain housing pathways: Collaborating directly with local authorities, CAS3 placements, hostels, and private landlords. The role involves preparing specialist risk and needs assessments to support housing applications, delivering ongoing intensive support to prevent tenancy breakdowns, and helping individuals transition from emergency arrangements to longer-term, sustainable housing.
Coordinate multi-agency support: Serving as the primary link between the individual and wider services within Bradford, ensuring a holistic and joined-up approach to support.
Contribute to system learning and service improvement: Playing an active role in gathering information via digital systems to track outcomes and participating in panels and multi-agency reviews as required.
We are looking for someone who is passionate about supporting individuals facing multiple and complex barriers as they transition from custody back into the community, with a strong commitment to trauma-informed practice. A deep understanding of the criminal justice system is important, and you will be motivated to drive positive change, believe in the capacity for meaningful transformation, and are committed to maintaining accurate digital records for evaluation and service development. As part of a newly established team, you will bring enthusiasm, resilience, and a collaborative spirit, ensuring a holistic, joined-up approach that supports people to build safer, healthier, and more independent lives.
It is essential that you have access to a reliable car, hold appropriate business car
insurance, and be willing to use your car to transport people you support to
appointments and meetings as needed, for which travelling expenses will be paid. This
not only supports trust and inclusion but is essential for ensuring individuals can reach
crucial services and supports in the community, particularly in situations where public
transport may not be suitable or available. A willingness to undergo an enhanced DBS
check is also a requirement of the post (the results of which would not necessarily
exclude applicants from consideration).
Joining The Bridge Project means becoming part of a team that values you, your wellbeing, your growth, and your future. Alongside a rewarding career, you’ll enjoy a benefits package designed to help you thrive:
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Competitive salary that reflects your skills and contribution
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32 days of annual leave to rest, recharge, and enjoy life outside work
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5% employer pension contribution to support your long‑term financial security
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A dedicated Learning & Development programme to help you grow and progress
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24/7 Employee Assistance Programme offering confidential advice whenever you need it
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Death‑in‑service benefit worth three times your salary for added peace of mind
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Refer‑a‑friend bonus of £500 when you help us bring great people on board
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Two hours of monthly wellbeing time to pause, connect, and reset with your team
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A programme of mindfulness activities to boost focus on overall wellbeing
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Access to a Blue Light Card, giving you discounts across hundreds of retailers, restaurants, and leisure brands.
The Bridge Project is proud to be a Mindful Employer, championing a workplace where wellbeing truly matters.
If you would like further information about the role, please contact Jenny Brown, Director of Operations on
[email protected] or Angela Berthebaud, Service Manager on
[email protected]
To find out more information and to download an application pack, please visit Jobs and Volunteering - The Bridge Project You must complete the Bridge Project’s application form in order to be considered for the role. The application form plays a key part in our recruitment and selection process. We use the information you provide about your skills, experience, career and education history to decide whether or not to invite you for an interview. It is important that you complete the application form as fully and accurately as possible, ensuring that you give specific examples which demonstrate how you meet the criteria.
No CV’s are accepted. No Employment Agencies please.
There is no closing date, applications will be reviewed on submission. We ask that you apply promptly as the vacancy will be removed on appointment of the successful candidate.
