At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team empowering women to improve wellbeing and build positive change.
- Company: The Wise Group, partnering with the Ministry of Justice for impactful services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and excellent benefits.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and meaningful community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in women's lives while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading teams within criminal or social justice sectors.
The predicted salary is between 29077 - 31500 £ per year.
Location: North East England (community and custodial)
Salary: £29,077 – £31,500 + excellent benefits
Hours: 35 hours per week (flexible working)
Status: Fixed Term to 31 March 2027 with planned extension subject to funding confirmation
Closing date: 31 August 2026
The Wise Group, in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and third-sector organisations, delivers Women’s Services across Durham in the North East of England.
This role is about more than managing a service. It's about leading a team that empowers women to improve their wellbeing, strengthen relationships, reduce social isolation, stabilise housing and build the foundations for lasting positive change.
Working across prison and community settings, you will lead a team delivering trauma-informed, strengths-based one-to-one mentoring for women facing multiple and complex challenges. You will support women to build greater stability and independence in the community. Working closely with probation services, prison teams and local partners, you will help ensure women can access the right support, at the right time, to achieve positive and sustainable outcomes.
Using our Relational Mentoring approach, your team will build trusted relationships that go beyond transactional support - helping individuals make meaningful, sustained progress.
As Team Lead, you will play a key role in how this support is delivered - shaping team performance and culture, strengthening partnerships and ensuring we deliver high-quality, person-centred services that make a real difference.
What you’ll lead:
- People and performance: Recruit, onboard and support mentoring staff delivering frontline interventions. Provide regular supervision, support wellbeing and performance, manage caseload allocation and create a culture focused on accountability, learning and positive outcomes.
- Service delivery: Ensure consistent, high-quality delivery across custodial and community settings. Support your team to respond to the interconnected challenges affecting women's wellbeing, stability and successful resettlement.
- Partnerships and stakeholder engagement: Build strong working relationships with prisons, probation, Ministry of Justice partners and third-sector organisations. Strengthen referral pathways and support collaborative delivery.
- Safeguarding, risk and compliance: Ensure safe working practices are embedded, including risk assessment and safeguarding. Manage and escalate concerns appropriately and ensure compliance with all requirements.
- Data, quality and performance: Oversee CRM systems, case recording and performance reporting. Use data and insight to track progress, meet contractual requirements and drive service improvement.
- Continuous improvement and change: Identify opportunities to improve delivery, gather feedback and support the ongoing development of justice services across the North East.
What you’ll bring:
- Experience leading or coordinating frontline teams within criminal justice, social justice, employability or related services
- Strong people management and coaching skills, with the ability to build trust and accountability
- An understanding of trauma-informed practice and the challenges experienced by women involved in the justice system
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, partnership environment
- Strong organisational and digital skills, including experience with CRM systems and performance reporting
- Confidence building relationships with statutory and third-sector partners
- A practical, solutions-focused approach and the ability to implement change
Essential requirements:
- Full driving licence and access to a car for daily use
- Willingness to travel across the North East, including custodial and community locations
- Successful completion of enhanced Level 1 prison vetting
- Home broadband to support flexible working
- Experience of working in a custodial setting is advantageous.
View the Role Profile for full details about this opportunity.
Team Lead (Justice Services) in Durham employer: The Wise Group
At the Wise Group, we pride ourselves on being a values-led social enterprise dedicated to transforming family support in West Lothian. Our flexible working hours and commitment to professional development ensure that our Mentors not only contribute to meaningful change but also grow personally and professionally within a supportive team environment. Join us to be part of a pioneering programme that connects communities and empowers families towards sustainable employment and wellbeing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Lead (Justice Services) in Durham
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to The Wise Group, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Team Lead (Justice Services) in Durham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of The Wise Group. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at The Wise Group. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Wise Group
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with The Wise Group.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Team Lead (Justice Services) role at The Wise Group, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show The Wise Group that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
