At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in prison and on probation to overcome barriers and achieve financial stability.
- Company: Rethink Mental Illness, dedicated to making a positive impact in the community.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 25 days' leave, wellbeing support, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with support networks and a commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building trust and inspiring change.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for helping others; experience in mentoring is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 24545 - 26510 £ per year.
Location: Liverpool Area (HMP Altcourse, HMP Liverpool and community outreach as required)
Contract: Fixed Term Contract
DBS Requirement: Enhanced DBS with Adults Barred List Check and Home Office Prison Clearance
Salary: £24,545 - £26,510
Help People Build a Better Future
Are you passionate about supporting people to overcome barriers, rebuild confidence and create positive change in their lives? Rethink Mental Illness is looking for a compassionate and motivated Mentor to join our Criminal Justice team across the North West. Working within prisons and the community, you'll provide tailored one-to-one support to people in prison and those transitioning back into society, helping them tackle financial challenges and achieve greater stability and independence. This is an incredibly rewarding opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of individuals affected by complex issues including mental health challenges, homelessness, addiction, debt and involvement with the criminal justice system.
About the Role
As a Mentor, you will support people in prison and on probation through our Ministry of Justice-funded Finance, Benefits and Debt service. You will build trusted relationships with customers, helping them identify barriers, develop practical action plans and access the support they need to improve their financial wellbeing and long-term outcomes. Your support may include:
- Providing person-centred mentoring and coaching.
- Supporting people with benefits, budgeting and debt management.
- Helping individuals access bank accounts and financial services.
- Advocating on behalf of customers with external agencies and organisations.
- Working alongside prison staff, probation teams and community partners.
- Delivering one-to-one and group-based interventions.
- Maintaining accurate records and contributing to service performance targets.
Full training will be provided, including support to develop your knowledge of money advice and guidance.
Who We're Looking For
We're seeking someone who can build trust, inspire confidence and empower people to achieve positive change. You’ll ideally have:
- Understanding of the challenges faced by people affected by offending, addiction, homelessness or mental health difficulties.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Experience providing support, mentoring, coaching or case management.
- The ability to work independently, use initiative and solve problems creatively.
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- Resilience, empathy and a non-judgemental approach.
- Confidence using technology and maintaining accurate records.
- A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.
Experience within criminal justice settings, prisons, welfare benefits, money advice or debt support is welcomed but not essential. Lived experience and diverse perspectives are highly valued.
Why join Rethink Mental Illness?
We believe people do their best work when they feel supported, valued and able to be themselves. You'll benefit from:
- An inclusive culture, with colleague-led staff networks for Disability & Neurodiversity, Race & Ethnicity, LGBTQIA+, Gender Equality and Menopause.
- Flexible working and 25 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays and your birthday off), with the option to buy or sell leave.
- Wellbeing support including our Wellbeing Hub, Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Champions and Unmind.
- Learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career.
- Financial and family benefits including a contributory pension, enhanced family leave and travel schemes.
- Recognition and rewards including discounts, cashback offers and a Blue Light Card.
- Referral bonus where you can earn up to £300 for introducing someone to our team.
Our commitment to inclusion
We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. We’re also committed to becoming a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider supported by a multi-year equity, diversity and inclusion programme of work. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and want everyone to have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and experience. If you need reasonable adjustments during recruitment or when in your role, please let us know and we will work with you to understand what support you need.
Mentor in Liverpool employer: Spinx
At Grandir UK, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that values flexibility and employee wellbeing. As a Grand Flex Nursery Practitioner, you'll enjoy the freedom to choose your working days while earning competitive pay, alongside a range of benefits including access to healthcare services and discounts at top retailers. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth and teamwork, making it an ideal environment for those passionate about nurturing children's development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mentor in Liverpool
✨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 Spinx.
✨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 Spinx!
✨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 Spinx, 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 Spinx 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 Mentor in Liverpool
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 Spinx:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Spinx! 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 Spinx
✨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.
