Family Support Worker – Prisoner Family Services – HMP Chelmsford
About the role
Home > Family Support Worker – Prisoner Family Services – HMP Chelmsford
Family Support Worker - Prisoner Family Services - HMP Chelmsford
The salary for this post is £3,322 (based on the Real Living Wage of £24,479 FTE per annum or £13.45 per hour).
Based: HMP Chelmsford Visitors’ Centre
Working Pattern
We run the visit centre on Mondays/Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays/Saturdays & Sundays and have a rota-based shift pattern available as below:
Based on a rota working 4.75 hours average per week, working every other weekend (both Saturday and Sunday) 4.75 hours (11.30am-4.15pm), plus various ‘as and when’ weekday shifts when required. For all options, a degree of flexibility will be required at times to meet operational demand.
At Ormiston Families, we believe everyone in the East of England deserves to feel happier, stronger and understood. For more than 45 years, we’ve been supporting children, young people and families to overcome challenges, improve emotional wellbeing and build brighter futures. Everything we do is rooted in our values of collaboration, compassion and effectiveness, and we’re proud to work alongside people rather than simply for them, creating lasting change through trusted relationships, early intervention and evidence-based support.
Our people are at the heart of our success. We know that when our colleagues feel valued, supported and empowered, they can make the greatest difference to the lives of others. That’s why we’re committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming workplace where everyone can thrive, develop and feel proud of the impact they make. Whether you’re working directly with families or supporting our services behind the scenes, you’ll be part of a dedicated team that shares a common purpose: helping children, young people and families build resilience, strengthen connections and create positive, lasting change in their communities. If you’re looking for a rewarding career where your skills, ideas and compassion can genuinely transform lives, we’d love you to join us.
In 2023/24, Ormiston Families’ Prisoner Family Services provided expert support, advice, and guidance to over 60,000 visitors at eight prisons across the East of England, including HMP Chelmsford, helping them deal with a whole range of emotions, including sadness, fear, anxiety, anger, shame, and embarrassment.
We have opportunities to join our experienced and dedicated Family Services team working within the visitors’ centre at HMP Chelmsford, providing a personal welcome to first-time and returning visitors, helping them access the services available to them.
HMP Chelmsford, part of the main HMP Estate, offers a varied and exciting opportunity to work in a busy yet rewarding environment where no two days are the same. You will be required to obtain and retain enhanced security vetting for this role.
We are seeking a Family Support Worker to join the team in providing effective and efficient running of the Visitor Centre, Tea Bar, and Play Area in the Prison Visits Hall, assisting on Family Days to ensure prisoners and their families have a valuable visiting experience, improving the quality of visits for children, young people and families, and helping to maintain positive, healthy and supportive family relationships.
Ideally, you will have experience of dealing with people in a customer service-based role and be able to demonstrate excellent communication and problem-solving skills, sometimes under challenging circumstances, whilst embracing a non-judgemental and empathetic work ethic.
To apply, please click on Apply Online button.
Closing date for applications: 9am, Tuesday, 1st September 2026
Safeguarding and DBS requirements for your role: Ormiston Families is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. We are an equal opportunities employer; we value diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
About Ormiston Families
Ormiston Families exists today because of one family's tragedy.
A young woman, Fiona Ormiston Murray, died whilst on her honeymoon. Fiona loved children and it was no secret that she was excited about starting her own family. Her family, devastated by their loss, wanted to do something to honour her memory. They created a charitable trust, devoted to helping children and families in need. That trust is now known as Ormiston Families.
We work with families across the East of England who, for various reasons, need guidance to see a brighter future. By building resilience, we support them to feel safe and in control of their own wellbeing.
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Family Support Worker – Prisoner Family Services – HMP Chelmsford
About the role
Home > Family Support Worker – Prisoner Family Services – HMP Chelmsford
Family Support Worker - Prisoner Family Services - HMP Chelmsford
The salary for this post is £3,322 (based on the Real Living Wage of £24,479 FTE per annum or £13.45 per hour).
Based: HMP Chelmsford Visitors’ Centre
Working Pattern
We run the visit centre on Mondays/Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays/Saturdays & Sundays and have a rota-based shift pattern available as below:
Based on a rota working 4.75 hours average per week, working every other weekend (both Saturday and Sunday) 4.75 hours (11.30am-4.15pm), plus various ‘as and when’ weekday shifts when required. For all options, a degree of flexibility will be required at times to meet operational demand.
At Ormiston Families, we believe everyone in the East of England deserves to feel happier, stronger and understood. For more than 45 years, we’ve been supporting children, young people and families to overcome challenges, improve emotional wellbeing and build brighter futures. Everything we do is rooted in our values of collaboration, compassion and effectiveness, and we’re proud to work alongside people rather than simply for them, creating lasting change through trusted relationships, early intervention and evidence-based support.
Our people are at the heart of our success. We know that when our colleagues feel valued, supported and empowered, they can make the greatest difference to the lives of others. That’s why we’re committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming workplace where everyone can thrive, develop and feel proud of the impact they make. Whether you’re working directly with families or supporting our services behind the scenes, you’ll be part of a dedicated team that shares a common purpose: helping children, young people and families build resilience, strengthen connections and create positive, lasting change in their communities. If you’re looking for a rewarding career where your skills, ideas and compassion can genuinely transform lives, we’d love you to join us.
In 2023/24, Ormiston Families’ Prisoner Family Services provided expert support, advice, and guidance to over 60,000 visitors at eight prisons across the East of England, including HMP Chelmsford, helping them deal with a whole range of emotions, including sadness, fear, anxiety, anger, shame, and embarrassment.
We have opportunities to join our experienced and dedicated Family Services team working within the visitors’ centre at HMP Chelmsford, providing a personal welcome to first-time and returning visitors, helping them access the services available to them.
HMP Chelmsford, part of the main HMP Estate, offers a varied and exciting opportunity to work in a busy yet rewarding environment where no two days are the same. You will be required to obtain and retain enhanced security vetting for this role.
We are seeking a Family Support Worker to join the team in providing effective and efficient running of the Visitor Centre, Tea Bar, and Play Area in the Prison Visits Hall, assisting on Family Days to ensure prisoners and their families have a valuable visiting experience, improving the quality of visits for children, young people and families, and helping to maintain positive, healthy and supportive family relationships.
Ideally, you will have experience of dealing with people in a customer service-based role and be able to demonstrate excellent communication and problem-solving skills, sometimes under challenging circumstances, whilst embracing a non-judgemental and empathetic work ethic.
To apply, please click on Apply Online button.
Closing date for applications: 9am, Tuesday, 1st September 2026
Safeguarding and DBS requirements for your role: Ormiston Families is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. We are an equal opportunities employer; we value diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
About Ormiston Families
Ormiston Families exists today because of one family's tragedy.
A young woman, Fiona Ormiston Murray, died whilst on her honeymoon. Fiona loved children and it was no secret that she was excited about starting her own family. Her family, devastated by their loss, wanted to do something to honour her memory. They created a charitable trust, devoted to helping children and families in need. That trust is now known as Ormiston Families.
We work with families across the East of England who, for various reasons, need guidance to see a brighter future. By building resilience, we support them to feel safe and in control of their own wellbeing.