Your Pathway Back to Work

It’s straightforward. You can apply online via our website and once we have your initial details, a Liberatus team member will contact you, likely for a quick interview or chat – either in person or by phone. This is not like a formal job interview where you have to convince us to “hire” you; it’s more so we can understand your situation and preferences. We might ask about what type of work you’re looking for, any health issues we should accommodate, your availability, etc. We’ll also verify your right to work in the UK. If you’re still in prison with a known release date coming up, we can even start the process so that you have opportunities lined up as soon as you’re out. We then create your secure profile in our system and when a job match comes up, we’ll reach out to you with the details. We’ll tell you about the job duties, location, pay rate, and duration. You can accept or decline – it’s your choice. If you accept, we coordinate the start date and any preparations. To get started, you can click “Join our talent pool” on our website front page and fill in the form. We truly look forward to receiving your application and helping you take the next step.

Taking a job with Liberatus does not automatically stop your benefits – but your Universal Credit (UC) or other benefits may be adjusted based on what you earn. UC is reduced graudually, not a suddenly cut-off. For every £1 you earn from working, your Universal Credit payment goes down by 55p. In other words, you keep 45p of every £1 you earn (after any work allowance). Bottom line: you won’t lose all your benefits at once, and working even part-time will usually make you financially better off than staying on benefits alone. Plus, the goal is to help you move into stable full-time work, after which you may not need UC at all.

Normally no. Liberatus largely handles any legally required disclosure in confidence, allowing you to focus on doing the job. We only share what’s relevant with the employer and only on a need-to-know basis. For many entry-level roles, the employer is more interested in your present reliability and skills than the details of your past. They partner with Liberatus precisely because they’re open to giving chances. If there are any specific restrictions, we will have informed the employer to accommodate that. You should always be honest with us during signup about your situation – so we can place you appropriately – but we will manage how and if that information is passed on. Once you start the job, you are treated just like any other temp worker.

Liberatus offers a range of short-term job placements across many industries. We work with employers in logistics, construction, hospitality, warehouses, facilities management, manufacturing, retail, and more. These could be roles like warehouse operative, kitchen assistant, construction labourer, cleaner, driver’s mate, admin assistant – it depends on what jobs our employer partners need to fill at any given time. We match roles to your skills, qualifications, and aspirations. Our goal is to find you work that you’re comfortable with and capable of doing well, so you and the employer both benefit. As we grow, the variety of jobs will grow too. And remember, a short placement can turn into a permanent position if you impress the employer.

A Liberatus placement can last anywhere from a few days up to three months in the same role. When the placement ends, you remain in the Liberatus talent pool, and we’ll look to place you in another assignment. Each completed placement is a stepping stone. You might try a different type of role next, to broaden your skills. In some cases, employers extend the placement or ask you back later when a position opens. There’s no guarantee of that, but we do see repeat requests for good workers. On the other hand, if you’ve done well and the employer has a staffing need, they can offer you a permanent job. At that point, you would stop being a Liberatus agency worker and would be hired directly by the company. We love to celebrate these success stories.

Not unless you choose to tell them. There may be one or two people at the company (perhaps HR or a department manager) who know that a given worker has come through a justice-back-to-work program, but it’s usually on a need-to-know basis. It’s your personal decision if you eventually share your background with colleagues. On the ground, you’re integrated with the company’s team. If anyone asks, you can just say “I’m working with the company through an agency.” That’s true and sufficient.

Liberatus will continue to support you throughout your placement. Before you start, we’ll make sure you know where to go, who to report to, and what the job entails. On your first day, you’ll typically get an induction from the employer, just like any new worker. During the job, you’ll have a designated Liberatus account manager who is your point of contact. You can reach out to them if you have any problems. We also gather feedback from the employer regularly. We understand transitioning back to work can be challenging – new routines, new people, maybe dealing with anxiety or confidence issues. We’re here to coach and encourage you. You’re not just dropped into a job with no safety net. In addition, we liaise with your probation officer or support worker as needed. Our aim is to set you up for success.