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- Tasks: Support women in the Criminal Justice System with tailored, holistic assistance.
- Company: Join Advance Charity, a feminist organisation dedicated to empowering women and girls.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days paid holiday, flexible hours, and perks like discounts and career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working in a supportive, innovative team focused on social change.
- Qualifications: Empathy, strong relationship-building skills, and knowledge of the criminal justice system are essential.
- Other info: This role is open to female applicants only, as per legal requirements.
The predicted salary is between 18750 - 22500 £ per year.
Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!
We are looking for a Community Key Worker.
Salary: £22,500 - £27,000
Location: Canterbury, Kent
Contract: Fixed Term until 31 March 2027
Hours: 35hrs per week
This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check. This role is also subject to Police & Prison Vetting.
About us
Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community. We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies. Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
About the role:
Are you an excellent relationship builder who can work with women and a diverse range of delivery partners to ensure that she meets her potential and successfully progresses through and beyond her probation supervision? Can you meet a woman wherever she is at in her journey and work with her to create an individualised support package that gives her the best chance of breaking the cycle of offending? Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for a feminist organisation who understand that supporting women in the criminal justice system requires a specialist and gendered approach? Do you believe in our values; to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaborate, innovate, and take accountability?
In your role as a Community Keyworker, you will be working with women involved in the Criminal Justice System; those on Probation in the Community and those women being released from Prison as part of their Post Sentence Supervision; providing some in-reach and ‘Through the Gate’ support. You will be working in a team of Community Keyworkers in your region. Each Keyworker will provide holistic one to one community support to women with a variety of needs.
About You:
Are you a strong believer in advocating for others? Are you empathetic, patient and determined? Then this opportunity could be right for you. The Minerva London service provides holistic, trauma-informed support for women in touch with the Criminal Justice System. We do this through offering dedicated one to one support, safer women’s centre spaces and specialist interventions and partnerships.
To be successful as the Community Key Worker you will need the below experience and skills. You will be working in a supportive, friendly, and welcoming team whilst having oversight of a caseload of women, who may be under the supervision of the National Probation Service or in custody, enhancing the offer of holistic support and advocacy services available to them throughout their journey. Building relationships with other statutory and non-statutory agencies in local communities is vital to build referral pathways and provide a whole system approach to supporting individuals. To carry out this work you will meet women in the community in your designated borough and co-locate with other agencies including the National Probation Service, as well as regularly attending Advance’s vibrant Kent Women’s Centre/office space. You will be a creative self-starter who will support the service and look for innovative solutions to support clients with complex needs. You are a confident professional relationship builder and have good awareness of Safeguarding procedures. Strong Administration skills and understanding of compliant behaviours also experience of supporting. With good knowledge of the criminal justice system and awareness of other support provisions.
What we can offer you - Employee Benefits:
- A 35-hour working week
- An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that’s nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!) if working a 35 hour week.
- Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home
- Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more
- Pension scheme
- Enhanced maternity/adoption provision
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee eye-care scheme
- Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles
- Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation
- Organisation wide away days
- Thorough induction and training
- Career development pathways
Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have any additional needs, please email talent@advancecharity.org.uk and the Talent Acquisition Team will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.
Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities
We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.
Safeguarding
Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.
Community Key Worker - Kent employer: Advance Charity
Contact Detail:
Advance Charity Recruiting Team
talent@advancecharity.org.uk
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Key Worker - Kent
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the feminist agenda and values of Advance Charity. Understanding their mission will help you connect with the organisation's ethos during interviews and discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the community support and criminal justice sectors. Attend local events or workshops to meet potential colleagues and gain insights into the role of a Community Key Worker.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in building relationships with diverse groups. Think of specific examples where you've successfully supported individuals or collaborated with other agencies.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the challenges faced by women in the criminal justice system. Being knowledgeable about these issues will demonstrate your commitment and understanding of the role's importance.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Key Worker - Kent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Organisation: Familiarise yourself with Advance Charity's mission and values. Highlight your alignment with their feminist agenda and commitment to supporting women in the criminal justice system in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Ensure your CV reflects relevant experience, particularly in community support, advocacy, or working with vulnerable groups. Emphasise skills such as relationship building, empathy, and knowledge of the criminal justice system.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the organisation. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to empower and support women, as well as your understanding of trauma-informed care.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Advance Charity
✨Understand the Organisation's Values
Advance Charity is deeply rooted in feminist values and a commitment to empowering women. Familiarise yourself with their mission and values, and be prepared to discuss how your personal beliefs align with theirs during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
As a Community Key Worker, building relationships is crucial. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully built rapport with clients or collaborated with other agencies, highlighting your empathy and communication skills.
✨Demonstrate Knowledge of the Criminal Justice System
Having a solid understanding of the criminal justice system is essential for this role. Brush up on relevant policies and practices, and be ready to discuss how you can support women navigating this system effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and approach to supporting women with complex needs. Think through potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would address them, showcasing your creativity and resourcefulness.
