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 opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic 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: 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. 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.
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.
How to apply:
Please apply with an up to date copy of your CV and a cover letter.
Closing date: 16th August 2026
Interviews will take place on a rolling basis so we recommend that you submit your application as soon as you are able to do so.
Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate.
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.
Diversion Keyworker in London employer: Advance
Advance is an exceptional employer dedicated to supporting women affected by the criminal justice system, offering a compassionate work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. Located in Hammersmith, our team enjoys flexible working hours, competitive salaries, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve. We foster a collaborative environment where staff are encouraged to develop their skills and advance their careers while contributing to vital community support initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Diversion Keyworker in London
✨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.
✨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!
✨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, 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 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 Diversion Keyworker in London
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:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Advance! 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
✨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.
