Sessional Community Keyworker Thames Valley in Reading

Sessional Community Keyworker Thames Valley in Reading

Reading Full-Time No working from home possible
Advance

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support women in the Criminal Justice System with tailored advocacy and community support.
  • Company: Advance Charity, a feminist organisation dedicated to empowering women.
  • Benefits: Flexible hours, competitive pay, and meaningful work that makes a difference.
  • Other info: Casual role with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
  • Why this job: Join a passionate team and help women lead safe, crime-free lives.
  • Qualifications: Open to female applicants; commitment to supporting vulnerable women is essential.

Are you looking for flexible and rewarding work for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the choice for you!

Please note these posts are subject to Police Vetting, a key requirement of this is that we work together to keep your vetting up to date for the duration of your engagements with us.

Post Title: Sessional Community Keyworker

Location: Thames Valley

Pay rate: £14.31 - £16.35 per hour depending on level of experience

Contract Type: Casual

We are looking for Sessional Workers to support Advance’s Criminal Justice Services. Advance’s Criminal Justice Services work 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.

You will be working in a team of Community Keyworkers in your region. Each Keyworker will provide one to one community support to women with a variety of needs simultaneously and will be co-located with partner organisations in their region. You will be expected to travel to Advance’s Head office in London for any organisational meetings and training, as and when required.

This post is not fixed hours or full time, work will be offered on an ad-hoc basis as and when required to meet the needs of the business.

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 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-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.

How to apply:

Please apply using your CV and a cover letter through our website.

  • Closing Date for Applications: Saturday 15th August 2026 @ 23:30PM

  • Interviews are taking place on a rolling basis

*Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate

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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 we 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.

Sessional Community Keyworker Thames Valley in Reading 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.

Advance

Contact Details:

Advance Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Sessional Community Keyworker Thames Valley in Reading

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to Advance Charity. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities you might not find on job boards.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching Advance's values and mission. Show us how your passion aligns with our feminist agenda and commitment to empowering women.

Tip Number 3

Practice your responses to common interview questions. We want to see your personality shine through, so be ready to share your experiences and how they relate to the role.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team.

We think you need these skills to ace Sessional Community Keyworker Thames Valley in Reading

Empathy
Advocacy Skills
Knowledge of Criminal Justice System
Understanding of Complex Needs
Communication Skills
Teamwork
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that are relevant to the Sessional Community Keyworker role. Highlight any experience you have in supporting women or working within the Criminal Justice System, as this will show us you're a great fit!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about our feminist agenda and how your values align with ours. Be genuine and let your personality come through – we want to get to know the real you!

Showcase Your Flexibility:Since this role is casual and ad-hoc, it's important to demonstrate your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability and willingness to travel for meetings and training, so we know you’re ready to jump in when needed.

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your CV and cover letter, and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised!

How to prepare for a job interview at Advance

Know Your Values

Before the interview, take some time to reflect on Advance Charity's core values. Understanding their commitment to empowering women and promoting equality will help you align your answers with their ethos, showing that you're a great fit for the role.

Showcase Relevant Experience

Prepare specific examples from your past work or volunteer experiences that demonstrate your ability to support women in challenging situations. Highlight any experience you have in community work, advocacy, or working within the criminal justice system to make your application stand out.

Ask Thoughtful Questions

Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the role, team dynamics, or the organisation's approach to supporting women. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if this is the right environment for you.

Be Ready for Vetting Questions

Since this role requires Police Vetting, be prepared to discuss your background openly. Familiarise yourself with the vetting process and ensure you can provide any necessary information confidently and honestly during the interview.