At a Glance
- Tasks: Support women in the criminal justice system with tailored, holistic community support.
- Company: Join Advance Charity, a feminist organisation dedicated to empowering women and girls.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days paid holiday, flexible working, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunities for career development and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in women's lives while working in a dynamic, innovative team.
- Qualifications: Experience in relationship building, knowledge of the criminal justice system, and a UK driving licence.
The predicted salary is between 23000 - 27000 £ 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: £23,000 - £27,000
Location: This role will be based in our Reading and Oxford offices and will need to travel across the entire Thames Valley region (Oxfordshire, Berkshire & Buckinghamshire)
Contract: Fixed Term until March 2027 with a possibility of extension
Hours p/w: 35 hours
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 Enhanced Level One Vetting (this can take up to 12+ weeks).
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
To be successful as the Community Keyworker you will need the below experience and skills:
- You will need to hold a UK driving licence with access to a car that can be used for work purposes.
- 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 with good awareness of Safeguarding procedures.
- Strong Administration skills and understanding of compliant behaviours also, experience of supporting.
- Good knowledge of the criminal justice system and awareness of other support provisions within the region.
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.
Closing Date for Applications: Sunday the 5th of July 2026
Interviews are taking place on a rolling basis. Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate.
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!)
- 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 Keyworker in Reading employer: Advance Charity
Advance Charity is an exceptional employer that champions a feminist agenda, providing a supportive and empowering work environment for women. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we offer generous benefits including 30 days of paid holiday, career development pathways, and a culture that values collaboration and innovation. Working in our Reading and Oxford offices, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying a dynamic and rewarding role as a Community Keyworker.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Keyworker in Reading
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Advance Charity.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Advance Charity!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Advance Charity, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Advance Charity or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Keyworker in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Advance Charity:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Advance Charity! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Advance Charity
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
