At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young women and girls facing challenges, providing advocacy and practical help.
- Company: Advance Charity, a feminist organisation dedicated to empowering women and girls.
- Benefits: 30 days paid holiday, employee discounts, career development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a community-focused organisation with excellent growth opportunities and a commitment to equality.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young women while working in a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Experience with young people, strong communication skills, and a passion for advocacy.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 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!
Key Information
- Salary: £27,000 - £32,000
- Location: Based across Advance’s London Women’s Centres (Hammersmith, Finsbury Park and Stratford), with some travel to community locations across London.
- Hours: 35 Hours per week with occasional weekend and evening work
- Contract: Fixed Term Contract – until 31st January 2027
Only female applicants will be considered as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010. 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 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-violently, 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.
About the role
In recognition of the distinct challenges facing young women and girls (YWG), Advance has developed and delivers specialist provision for young women and girls on the Maia & Lift programme, in partnership with other specialist organisations. Our team of Maia Mentor Advocates deliver consistent, holistic support to a small caseload of YWG, working to build relationships of trust, empower YWG to explore their identities, sense of safety, aspirations, and providing practical help and advocacy where needed. As a CJS Advocate for Maia, the postholder will work closely with the Maia Team to provide gender and age specific support to young women and girls at risk of gang involvement, exploitation or in contact with the criminal justice system, to safeguard YWG, capture and record outcomes and enhance the knowledge of other professionals working with this cohort.
About You
To be successful as the Mentor Advocate you will need the below experience and skills:
- Experience and ability to work intensively with a selected cohort of YWG (aged 13-25), providing centre-based and outreach services and adopting a YWG-centred, strengths-based approach to deliver a range of support and interventions designed to increase awareness and understanding of healthy relationships; reduce risk and increase feelings of safety; build self-confidence and confidence in professionals and support services; and empower YWG to assert their rights and make choices about future goals.
- Confidently and sensitively bring the ability to proactively assess risks and safety concerns, raising concerns with the Maia Service Manager, ensuring that, where possible, concerns are discussed openly with YWG, working within local safeguarding frameworks and taking appropriate action to safeguard YWG whilst working within a model of empowerment.
- Strong understanding of the challenges facing vulnerable YWG including issues related to violence against women and girls and/or the criminal justice system, and experience of community engagement, advocacy and support work with young people and experience of using motivational interviewing and coaching techniques, with the ability to demonstrate a YWG-centred approach to building trust and rapport.
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 29 March 2026 @23:59
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
Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities
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 the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs. 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.
CJS Advocate employer: Advance
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, career development pathways, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees are encouraged to grow both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the community across London’s Women’s Centres.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land CJS Advocate
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the sector, attend events, and connect with organisations that align with your values. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Advance Charity and understanding their mission. Tailor your responses to show how your skills and experiences align with their feminist agenda and the specific needs of young women and girls.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable discussing your experiences and how they relate to the role of CJS Advocate. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Advance Charity and making a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace CJS Advocate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the CJS Advocate role. Highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the job description, especially your work with young women and girls. We want to see how you can bring your unique strengths to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the feminist agenda and how your values align with ours at Advance. Be genuine and let your personality come through – we love to see authenticity!
Showcase Your Experience:In your supporting statement, be specific about your experience working with vulnerable young women and girls. Share examples of how you've empowered them and navigated challenges. We’re looking for real-life stories that demonstrate your impact!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our careers page! It’s the only way we’ll consider your application. Plus, it ensures you have all the right documents in place, so we can get to know you better. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Advance
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand Advance Charity's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their work around supporting young women and girls, especially in relation to the criminal justice system. This will help you align your answers with their ethos.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous experience working with young women and girls, particularly in advocacy or support roles. Use specific examples that highlight your strengths in building trust, assessing risks, and empowering individuals. This will demonstrate your suitability for the CJS Advocate role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could be about the Maia programme, the challenges faced by young women and girls, or how Advance measures success in their advocacy efforts. It shows your genuine interest and engagement with the role.
✨Emphasise Your Values
Since Advance is rooted in a feminist agenda, it’s important to express your commitment to gender equality and empowerment. Share your personal motivations for wanting to work in this field and how your values align with those of the organisation.
