At a Glance
- Tasks: Support women in the criminal justice system, advocating for positive community engagement.
- Company: Advance Charity, a feminist organisation dedicated to empowering women and girls.
- Benefits: Salary between £28,000 - £32,000, fixed-term contract, and supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and safeguarding.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in women's lives while working in a dynamic and rewarding role.
- Qualifications: Experience with women offenders and strong advocacy skills required.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 32000 £ 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 Diversion Keyworker to join our team in Finsbury Park.
Location: Finsbury Park
Salary: £28,000 - £32,000
Contract: Fixed term contract until March 2027 with the potential to extend
Hours: 35 hours 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.
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.
Job Summary
Advance's Minerva service works with women involved in the Criminal Justice System offering safe, targeted support and advocacy to women to help them address their complex needs in relation to the 9 pathways to offending, such as substance misuse and financial difficulties, aiming to reduce re-offending, encourage desistance amongst repeat offenders, and empower women to live safe, crime free lives.
The Minerva Diversion programme began as a two-year pilot programme launched in July 2019 and funded by MOPAC (Mayor's Office for Policing & Crime). The aim was to drive multi-agency working between the police, Voluntary Community Sector (VCS) service providers and other statutory partners and was part of a wider programme of work to develop a whole system approach to identifying and addressing the needs of women involved in the criminal justice system in London.
The Diversion programme integrates a short-term, holistic package of support for women with an out of court disposal, to improve outcomes for the woman and offer officers and the Crown Prosecution Service a robust alternative pathway other than prosecution through the courts. The Keyworker will aim to divert women from the traditional criminal justice process, motivating them to engage in positive community activity to allow them to leave safer lives, free of crime through a range of in-reach and community-based options. You will advocate in the custody suite for police to caution women instead of charging them and coordinate appropriate community interventions to enable the woman to meet the objectives set out in their tailored Support Plan.
Key responsibilities
- Provide an in-reach service to women in the custody suite, advocating for the police to caution women instead of charging them.
- Conduct an initial rapid assessment of women’s needs and develop an Individual Support Plan for clients given an out of court disposal, that seeks to address their mental, physical, and sexual health, housing, substance misuse, relationship, education/training/employment, parenting, financial and cultural needs, and provide signposting and referrals in line with this plan.
- Meet women as required face-to-face, providing emotional and practical support, aiming to reduce re-offending and encourage desistance for the women.
- Develop and maintain professional relationships with all partner agencies including the Metropolitan Police Service, Health, Housing and Local Authority, and work appropriately within MARAC and Safeguarding Adults and Children frameworks to identify and manage risk.
About You:
To be successful as Diversion Keyworker you will have an in-depth knowledge of issues facing women offenders and those at risk of offending; both in and out of the criminal justice system and the ability to see how violence against women and girls interlinks to women in the criminal justice system.
In short, you will have:
- Proven practice of working with women experiencing issues related to offending (e.g. homelessness, substance misuse, domestic abuse, mental health or other relevant work area) preferably within criminal justice setting.
- Experience of conducting needs and risk assessments and of risk management crisis management skills and an ability to cope in stressful situations.
- Ability to manage a caseload and a top-quality skill set with prioritising and organising your own workload.
- A self-starter uniquely able to undertake working independently and at times be managed remotely.
- A proven record of collaborative and working partnership with relevant statutory and voluntary groups, demonstrating the ability to develop and maintain strong constructive working relationships.
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.
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 special needs, please email Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and we will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.
Diversion Keyworker employer: Advance Charity
Advance Charity is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering women and girls, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises collaboration, innovation, and accountability. With generous benefits including 30 days of paid holiday, enhanced maternity provisions, and career development pathways, employees are encouraged to grow within a community-focused environment. Located in Hammersmith, this role provides the unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of women navigating the criminal justice system while working alongside passionate professionals in a dynamic setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Diversion Keyworker
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Advance Charity, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Diversion Keyworker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Advance Charity. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Advance Charity. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Advance Charity
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Advance Charity.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Diversion Keyworker role at Advance Charity, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Advance Charity that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
