At a Glance
- Tasks: Support women facing complex challenges, building trust and helping them achieve stability.
- Company: The Wise Group, dedicated to creating lasting change for women in the justice system.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and excellent benefits including professional development.
- Other info: Opportunity for personal growth and impactful work across custody and community settings.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in women's lives while working in diverse environments.
- Qualifications: Experience in supporting people with complex needs and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 25664 - 25664 £ per year.
Location: Home based with travel across County Durham in both custody and community settings
Salary: £25,664 + excellent benefits
Hours: 35 hours per week (flexible working)
Status: Fixed term until 31st March 2027
Closing date: 14th June 2026
The opportunity
This isn’t a typical support role. The Wise Group, in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and third‑sector organisations, delivers the Women’s Service across the North East of England – supporting almost 2,000 women in custody and in the community. This role is about more than support. It’s about building trust, understanding the full picture, and helping women create stronger foundations for the future.
As a Mentor Advocacy, you will work alongside women facing multiple and interconnected challenges including trauma, poor mental health, housing instability, financial pressures, dependency, caring responsibilities and justice involvement. Using our Relational Mentoring approach, you’ll provide consistent, person‑centred support that helps women build confidence, reduce barriers and move towards greater stability and independence.
No two journeys are the same. You’ll work across prison, probation and community settings, building trusted relationships and helping women navigate complex systems and access the right support at the right time. Support may include improving wellbeing, strengthening routines, reconnecting with services, addressing practical barriers and supporting progression towards training, employment and longer‑term stability.
We’re looking for people who are confident working with complexity, can build trust quickly, and are motivated by helping women move forward at a pace that works for them.
What you’ll be doing
- Building trusted, consistent relationships with women in custody and in the community
- Supporting women experiencing multiple and interconnected challenges
- Working across prison, probation and community environments
- Co‑ordinating with partners to unlock support around housing, finance, wellbeing and wider needs
- Helping women take practical steps towards stability, confidence and progression
- Managing a caseload and maintaining accurate records using digital systems and CRM platforms
What this role involves
- Working within custodial settings as well as in community locations
- Supporting people whose circumstances can be complex, changeable and at times challenging
- Providing consistent support over time – not just one‑off interventions
- Balancing empathy and relationship‑building with practical outcomes and accountability
If you are looking for a purely office‑based or short‑term intervention role, this is unlikely to be the right fit.
What we’re looking for
- Experience supporting people facing complex or challenging circumstances
- Ability to build trust while maintaining professional boundaries
- Strong communication, organisational and relationship‑building skills
- Confidence working across different environments, including prisons and community settings
- A practical, grounded and solutions‑focused approach
- Confidence using Microsoft 365 and digital case management systems
- Experience in mentoring, justice, wellbeing, housing or community support settings is advantageous, but not essential.
Essential requirements
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for daily use
- Willingness to travel regularly across County Durham
- Ability to pass enhanced Level 1 prison vetting
- Home broadband suitable for remote working
Why join The Wise Group
The Wise Group works alongside people facing some of the most complex challenges in society, using a relational approach that focuses on long‑term stability rather than short‑term fixes. You’ll join an enterprise committed to innovation and creating lasting change – working across systems and services to improve outcomes for women in the justice system.
View the Role Profile on our website for full details about this opportunity.
Mentor - Women's Justice in North East employer: The Wise Group
The Wise Group is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of women facing complex challenges within the justice system. With a focus on relational mentoring, we offer flexible working hours, a supportive work culture, and opportunities for professional growth while working across diverse environments in County Durham. Join us in creating lasting change and empowering women towards stability and independence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mentor - Women's Justice in North East
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field of women's justice or mentoring. Attend events, join online forums, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to mentoring and support roles. Think about your experiences and how they relate to the challenges women face. We want you to shine when it comes to showcasing your skills!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for the role! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let them know why supporting women in complex situations matters to you. Your enthusiasm can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and the amazing benefits we offer.
We think you need these skills to ace Mentor - Women's Justice in North East
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Mentor - Women's Justice role. Highlight any relevant experience you have in supporting individuals facing complex challenges, as this will show us you're a great fit!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since building trust is key in this role, use your application to demonstrate your strong communication abilities. Share examples of how you've effectively communicated with people in challenging situations, as this will resonate with what we're looking for.
Be Authentic:We want to see the real you! Don’t be afraid to share your personal motivations for wanting to work in this field. Authenticity can really help you stand out and connect with us on a deeper level.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our website. This ensures we receive all the necessary information and helps us keep track of your application easily. Plus, it’s super straightforward!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Wise Group
✨Understand the Role
Before your interview, take the time to really understand what being a Mentor in Women's Justice involves. Familiarise yourself with the challenges women face in custody and community settings, and think about how your experiences align with the role's requirements.
✨Showcase Your Empathy
This role is all about building trust and relationships. Be prepared to share examples from your past where you've successfully supported individuals facing complex challenges. Highlight your ability to balance empathy with practical outcomes.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-life situations. Think of scenarios where you had to navigate complex systems or support someone through a tough time. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Demonstrate Digital Proficiency
Since the role involves using digital systems and CRM platforms, be ready to discuss your experience with Microsoft 365 and any case management tools. If you have examples of how you've used technology to enhance your support work, make sure to mention them!
