At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead support for neurodiverse women in the criminal justice system and help them reintegrate into the community.
- Company: Advance Charity, a feminist organisation dedicated to empowering women and girls.
- Benefits: 30 days paid holiday, employee discounts, pension scheme, and career development opportunities.
- 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 supportive and innovative environment.
- Qualifications: Understanding of mental health and neurodiversity, excellent communication, and organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 33000 - 38000 £ 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!
Salary: £33,000- £38,000
Location: Advance Head Office in Hammersmith & Women’s centres across London, with co-location at HMP Bronzefield
Hours: 35 Hours per week
Contract: Fixed Term until March 2027
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 EL2 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
This is a great chance to be a part of a service working alongside the Healthcare & Education Department within HMP Bronzefield to identify and support women who are identified as being neurodiverse or presenting with symptoms of neurodiversity and will be returning to the community. The Neurodiversity Lead will focus support on women with a neurodivergent need and improve their transition into the community, with ongoing community support; including collaborating with other healthcare professionals to develop their support plans. The Lead will work in a multi‑disciplinary way, including attending the weekly complex case meeting and/or the Safety Intervention Meeting (SIM) as appropriate, they will act as a specialist member of the wider Advance Criminal Justice Service - London team, to facilitate a pathway for women with complex needs including mental health and neurodiversity needs. The Neurodiversity Lead will accept referrals from the Advance Criminal Justice Community team and prison services, and will create a link between prison and the community, helping women to navigate support services and to positively re‑integrate into their community upon release. They will co‑design a person‑centred support and action plan with women accessing support, enabling them to support them to address their needs and any risks. The role will combine a casework‑based approach, along with a signposting and advice service for the women. The Neurodiversity Lead will be based in the Advance Head Office in Hammersmith, with regular work in the community and in HMP Bronzefield to support women who are close to release. A car may be desirable for this role, though not essential.
About You
To be successful as the Neurodiversity Lead you will need the below experience and skills:
- An excellent understanding of mental health, neurodiversity needs and violence against women and girls and its links to women in the criminal justice system.
- The ability to complete trauma‑informed support and action plans in collaboration with the woman; to support them in addressing their multiple and individual needs and enable them to engage with services, which will result in timely and prescribed outcomes being achieved.
- Excellent organisational skills, excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a prison environment whilst remaining calm.
How to apply
Please submit your up‑to‑date CV with a supporting statement. Please note that only applications made via the job advert on the Advance careers page, and those that include a cover letter will be considered.
The closing date for the role is: 27th July 2026
Interviews are taking place w/c 3rd August 2026
What we can offer you - Employee Benefits
- 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!)
- 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
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.
Neurodiversity Lead Criminal Justice System · Ashford - HMP Bronzefield, Hammersmith · 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.
