Complex Needs and Outreach Keyworker - Criminal Justice in Folkestone

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: £25,000- £27,000 pro rata

Location: Kent Advance Women’s Centre including co-location at Folkstone Probation Office

Hours: 28 hours per week

Contract: Fixed Term Contract for 12 months

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 EL1 MOJ 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 pilot project for Advance working with women with complex needs related to their involvement with the criminal justice system. As the Complex Needs & Outreach Worker you will provide intensive, trauma-informed support to women experiencing multiple and intersecting vulnerabilities, including homelessness, domestic and sexual violence, mental health challenges, substance misuse, and social exclusion. Working flexibly across outreach and community settings, you will focus on building trusting relationships with women who may be disengaged from or distrustful of services, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are addressed holistically. You will be based primarily at Folkestone Probation Office, with up to two days per week spent providing outreach support in the community. This position involves close collaboration with the Folkestone Women’s Pod to identify women who require intensive support. A car may be desirable for this role, though not essential.

About You:

To be successful as the Complex Needs & Outreach Worker you will need the below experience and skills:

• You will be highly empathetic, able to listen without judgement, and emotionally resilient when supporting women who have experienced significant trauma and adversity.
• The role requires tenacity and persistence, maintaining consistent engagement with clients who may have chaotic circumstances or face barriers to accessing support.
• You will advocate on behalf of clients, coordinate multi-agency responses, and support women to access safe accommodation, health services, safeguarding support, and pathways to recovery and independence.
• This role demands a proactive, compassionate professional who can manage complex risk, work autonomously, and remain motivated and resilient while delivering person-centered, strengths-based support to some of the most vulnerable women in the community to enable them to lead safe and fulfilling lives.

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 1st February 2026

Interviews are taking place on: w/c 9th February 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

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.

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.