Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support women in the Criminal Justice System to overcome challenges and rebuild their lives.
- Company: Changing Lives, a nationwide charity dedicated to helping those in need.
- Benefits: Join a passionate team, gain valuable experience, and make a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Empower women to break the cycle of crime and create positive change.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and understanding of trauma-informed care.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About us
Changing Lives is a nationwide charity helping people facing the most challenging of circumstances to make positive change - for good. We believe that everyone deserves a safe home, a rewarding job and a life free from addiction or abuse. We know that given the right support, anyone can change their life for the better. Our services across the country help thousands of people each year who are experiencing a wide range of complicated challenges, including homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction, unemployment, involvement with the criminal justice system, sexual exploitation and domestic abuse. By focusing on their strengths, potential and opportunities, we support the people we work with to overcome their problems and live safe, successful, independent lives. Our charity is powered by over 600 passionate colleagues who bring a diverse and inclusive environment for our colleagues to grow. We are proud to say that many have actual lived experience of the challenges faced by those we support. We are looking for committed and compassionate professionals to join our team, who share our enthusiasm for changing lives.
About the Service - Criminal Justice Services
Changing Lives delivers a range of projects that support women involved in the Criminal Justice System. We believe that individuals become involved in the Criminal Justice System for a complex range of reasons. Our experience has taught us that to help women stop offending and to rebuild their lives, we must address the underlying causes of crime. Our services are underpinned by an in-depth understanding of trauma and we support women to address challenges such as domestic abuse, homelessness or poor housing, helping women to develop tools to ensure that trauma in their past does not define the rest of their lives. We know that with the right support around them, women so often are able to break the cycle of crisis and crime. We currently deliver diversion from custody schemes, education, training and employment services, and holistic services to women serving community sentences or following release from custody. We also provide some pre‑release services and have a presence across a number of women’s prisons nationally. Our criminal justice services cover Northumbria, Cleveland, South Yorkshire, West Midlands, East Midlands, Warwickshire, Staffordshire and Leicestershire.
About the Job
Changing Lives has been commissioned as part of the West Midlands Police & Crime Commission to deliver an early intervention caution diversion programme in Walsall & Wolverhampton. Our Women’s Justice Partnership (WJP) comprises of leading Midlands Charities: Changing Lives, Anawim, Black Country Women’s Aid & Green Square Accord. Anawim are the lead partner for this contract. There is robust evidence to show that the underlying causes of women’s offending often links to experiences of victimisation and lack of access to appropriate gender‑specific support. Risk of reoffending can be most effectively addressed through access to appropriate community support rather than more punitive disposals in the first instance. A Conditional Caution can be issued by Police in cases where the offence is considered less serious and the person responsible does not have a significant criminal record. If the person accepting the Conditional Caution successfully completes it, they will then not have to attend Court. Failure to comply however can result in prosecution for the original offence.
We are looking for a dynamic individual who possesses excellent motivational interviewing and engagement skills for this bespoke service across Walsall and West Midlands. The successful candidates will be responsible for identifying individual needs attributed to offending and brokering access into local services to address needs. They will develop referral routes to community interventions, so knowledge of the existing community provision is essential - this includes our own community probation contract. The ability to foster a quick rapport with stakeholders, including service users, commissioners and referrers are vital. The Diversion Worker will be responsible for undertaking offending needs assessments with women referred to the service, whilst also delivering a motivational intervention alongside, within specific timescales and providing onward referral. All support will be delivered using approaches which are trauma‑informed, non‑judgemental, strengths based and understanding the distinct needs of women. Feedback to West Midlands Police on compliance and non‑engagement is an essential part of this role, along with the collation of outcomes. Therefore, an eye for detail, excellent IT and time management skills are required.
Specialist Womens Criminal Justice Practitioner employer: Changing Lives
Contact Detail:
Changing Lives Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Womens Criminal Justice Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the criminal justice field, especially those who work with women. Attend events or workshops where you can meet potential colleagues and learn more about the sector.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with someone from Changing Lives, let them know why you care about helping women in the criminal justice system. Share your experiences or insights that connect with their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared for interviews! Research the specific challenges women face in the criminal justice system and think about how your skills can help address these issues. Practice answering questions about trauma-informed approaches and community support.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Changing Lives.
We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Womens Criminal Justice Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for changing lives shine through! We want to see how your values align with ours and how you can contribute to our mission of supporting women in the criminal justice system.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have that relates to the role. Whether it's working with vulnerable groups or understanding trauma-informed care, we want to know how your background makes you a great fit for this position.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and motivations.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised!
How to prepare for a job interview at Changing Lives
✨Know the Organisation Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you understand Changing Lives' mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their services, especially those related to women's criminal justice. This will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and alignment with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Empathy and Understanding
As a Specialist Women's Criminal Justice Practitioner, you'll need to connect with individuals facing tough challenges. Prepare examples from your past experiences that highlight your ability to empathise and support others, particularly in trauma-informed settings.
✨Highlight Your Community Knowledge
Since the role involves brokering access to local services, be ready to discuss your knowledge of community resources. Research existing support systems in Walsall and Wolverhampton, and think about how you can leverage these connections to benefit the women you'll be working with.
✨Prepare for Motivational Interviewing Scenarios
Expect to demonstrate your motivational interviewing skills during the interview. Practice responding to hypothetical scenarios where you need to engage and motivate someone who may be resistant to change. This will show your readiness for the role and your understanding of the techniques involved.