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 employee discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career development opportunities and a commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in women's lives while working in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience in relationship building and knowledge of the criminal justice system required.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 24000 £ 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 Community Key Worker.
Salary: £23,000 - £27,000
Location: Hertfordshire
Contract: Fixed Term until 31st March 2027
Hours p/w: 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. 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.
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 Key Worker 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.
- Experience of supporting women with good knowledge of the criminal justice system and awareness of other support provisions within the Hampshire area.
How to apply:
Please apply with a copy of your CV and a cover letter through our careers site.
Closing date: 21st December 2025
Interviews will take 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 our talent team 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.
Community Keyworker - Hertfordshire in Waltham Cross employer: Advance
Advance Charity is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering women and girls, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises personal and professional growth. With generous benefits including 30 days of paid holiday, enhanced maternity provisions, and access to an Employee Assistance Programme, employees are encouraged to thrive in their roles while making a meaningful impact in the community. Located in Hertfordshire, this feminist organisation fosters collaboration and innovation, ensuring that every team member feels valued and equipped to contribute to the vital work of supporting survivors of domestic abuse.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Keyworker - Hertfordshire in Waltham Cross
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Advance Charity and their values. When you understand their mission, you can tailor your conversations during interviews to show how you align with their feminist agenda.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for standing out in the application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your past experiences relate to the role of Community Keyworker. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Keyworker - Hertfordshire in Waltham Cross
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Community Keyworker role. Highlight any relevant experience in supporting women or working within the criminal justice system, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us 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 Relationship-Building Skills:As a Community Keyworker, building relationships is key. In your application, share examples of how you've successfully built rapport with clients or colleagues in the past. This will help us see your potential to connect with the women you'll be supporting.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our careers site! It's the best way for us to receive your CV and cover letter, and it ensures you're considered for the role. Plus, it keeps everything organised on our end!
How to prepare for a job interview at Advance
✨Know the Organisation's Values
Before your interview, take some time to really understand Advance Charity's values and mission. They focus on empowering women and supporting those in the criminal justice system, so think about how your own values align with theirs. Be ready to share examples of how you've embodied similar principles in your past roles.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
As a Community Keyworker, building relationships is key. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully built rapport with clients or partners in previous roles. Highlight any innovative solutions you've implemented to support individuals with complex needs, as this will demonstrate your proactive approach.
✨Understand the Criminal Justice System
Familiarise yourself with the basics of the criminal justice system and the challenges faced by women within it. This knowledge will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show your genuine interest in the role. Consider discussing any relevant experiences you have that relate to this area.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street, so come prepared with thoughtful questions about the role and the organisation. Ask about their approach to collaboration with other agencies or how they measure success in supporting women. This shows you're engaged and serious about making a positive impact.
